The Houston Texans have one of the best defenses in the NFL, and it starts up front. EDGE rushers Danielle Hunter (15) and Will Anderson Jr. (12) combined for 27 sacks in 2025, the most of any duo in the league.
With the regular season just over a week away, it's the perfect time for predictions. ESPN analytics writer Seth Walder forecasts Anderson and Hunter to be towards the top of the league again, but who will have the upper hand?
ESPN analyst predicts sack totals for Texans' Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter
In the offseason, Anderson became the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL, signing a three-year, $150 million contract extension. Anderson will turn 25 years old before week one kicks off, and his trajectory is still going up. Walder predicts him to finish third in the league in sacks, with a total of 10.5.
It might seem like a low number, but the player Walder predicted for the most sacks (Aidan Hutchinson) is projected to have just 12.5. In between them on the list is Green Bay Packers EDGE Micah Parsons, whose projection is 11.1.
Hunter came in at No. 12 on the list, as he is forecasted to rack up 8.7 sacks this season. The Texans are one of two teams to have two players in the top 15, along with the Pittsburgh Steelers' Alex Highsmith (No. 10) and TJ Watt (No. 15).
Walder is predicting a drop in production from Hunter, and age could be a factor, as he is set to turn 32 on Oct. 29. As long as he plays all or most of the season, however, Hunter should be able to reach double-digit sacks again.
For comparison, Texans legend JJ Watt played the final two years of his career for the Arizona Cardinals, and he was 33 in his last season. In his age 33 season, Watt tallied 12.5 sacks. I'm not comparing their abilities, but it's certainly possible for Hunter to still have a monster year.
According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Hunter and Anderson combined for 153 pressures last season, which was the most of any duo in the league. No matter who comes out on top in the sack race, Anderson and Hunter should be a formidable force once again.
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