CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco won’t be welcomed into any Houston Texans’ tailgate anytime soon if he continues to speak ill of the best player on the defense.
In his annual Top 100 players list, Prisco listed the five Texans among the best in the NFL. To no one’s surprise, two-time Defensive Player of the Year and recently acquired Los Angeles Rams defensive end Myles Garrett took home the top overall spot.
Naturally, All-Pro defensive end Will Anderson Jr. should have been in line to be the No. 2 edge rusher and a consensus top 10 player, right?
Actually, no. Anderson, who recently became the highest-paid non-QB in the league this offseason, came in Prisco’s rankings at No. 15 overall and No. 4 among pass-rushers, trailing both Green Bay Packers star Micah Parsons (No. 13) and Detroit Lions star Aidan Hutchinson (No. 14).
“In his third season in 2025, he posted a career-high 12 sacks,” Prisco wrote. “That earned him a brand-new contract. Along with Danielle Hunter, he forms one of the best edge duos in the league.”
Credit is due to Prisco for respecting Anderson’s All-Pro season enough to warrant a massive move up in the rankings. Last year, he entered the season as the No. 56 overall player, even after recording 10 sacks and earning Pro Bowl honors.
But Anderson is much more than just a capable blitzer. According to Pro Football Focus, his grade of 92.4 was three points higher than any other defensive end and trailed only Garrett. His run grade of 93.1 was actually 2.7 points higher than his pass-rushing grade and surpassed Garrett overall.
Over the past two seasons, Anderson racked up 23 sacks, 36 tackles for loss and 42 QB hits. In that same timeline, Hutchinson totaled the same number of sacks, but 15 fewer tackles for loss (21). Hutchinson did finish with more QB hits at 52, and did so in fewer games.
Parsons, who suffered a torn ACL midseason last fall, posted similar numbers in his first season with the Packers. A three-time All-Pro, one could understand the argument to place the former Dallas Cowboys star over Anderson, especially after racking up the same amount of sacks in two fewer games. Parsons also has notched over 50 QB hits and 24.5 sacks in two seasons, which is still more than Anderson.
Overall, while Hutchinson and Parsons could be considered top 10 talents, Anderson should belong in the conversation. The Texans have two elite pass-rushers who open up running lanes for each other and the former seems to be the one that draws more interest.
To read Prisco’s entire list, click here.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco is not sold on Texans DE Will Anderson Jr. as top 10 talent for 2026
Reporting by Cole Thompson, Texans Wire / Texans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Cole Thompson, Texans Wire | USA TODAY Network
