Will Anderson Jr. contract: How much will the No.3 pick earn in his rookie year?

Will Anderson Jr. holds multiple records being second in all-time career sacks at Alabama


Will Anderson Jr. contract: How much will the No.3 pick earn in his rookie year?

Will Anderson Jr. (Image via SI)

Will Anderson Jr. is a professional American football player who will play as the defensive pass rusher for the Houston Texans in the upcoming season. After a lot of speculation, the Texans drafted Anderson Jr. as the 3rd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Anderson started as an outside linebacker in his freshman year for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

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He joined the Alabama high school in 2020 as a linebacker. Players like Derrick Thomas, who dominated the NFL during the 1990s for the Kansas City Chiefs, have come through the ranks at Alabama. So, it did not surprise many when the Texans went all out for Anderson, even though they also paid a hefty sum of money for C.J. Stroud.

Will Anderson Jr’s parents are Will Anderson Sr. and Tereon Anderson and his time at Alabama has been memorable. He was considered to be one of the finest defensive players in college football during his time. Anderson, in his freshman year, racked up 33 solo tackles and 7 sacks in 13 games, becoming the CFP National Champion.

The following year, he almost single-handedly protected the backline of the Crimson Tides. In the 15 games that he started, Anderson managed 58 solo and 44 assisted tackles and a whopping 17.5 sacks. He won the Bronko Nagurski Award for his performance.

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However, his form took a hit in 2022, but that did not stop him from winning a few more awards, as he won the Chuck Bednarik Award and the Loft Trophy. He was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year for 2021 and 2022.

He will be hoping to put an end to the Texans’ misery of the past few seasons including a 3-13-1 record in 2022.

Related: Anthony Richardson contract: How much will the No.4 pick earn in his rookie year?

A Complete Breakdown of Will Anderson Jr.s Current Contract

After selecting Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud with the second pick and shocking everyone with first- and third-round selections in 2024 to the Arizona Cardinals for picks No. 3 and 105. He is a sure-shot 4-star prospect.

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Moreover, the Texans’ GM, Nick Caserio, revealed while talking with reporters that they are not “worried” about the cost. They are ready to pay the money for the players they want.

Will Anderson Jr. contract: How much will the No.3 pick earn in his rookie year?
Image credit SI

They certainly gave Will Anderson Jr. a mouth-watering contract with an estimated value of around $35,212,818 according to Over The Cap. However, he has not signed his rookie contract as of yet. The salary cap charge is $750,000.

The Shaun Alexander-FWAA Freshman of the Year is poised to get a 5-year contract from the Texans.

Can Anderson break into the first team in 2023?

The Texans currently have a plethora of LBs in their ranks, and the addition of Will Anderson Jr. will only increase the talent pool. However, for Anderson to break through and start for them is an entirely different prospect.

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Will Anderson Jr. contract: How much will the No.3 pick earn in his rookie year?
Image via SI

Leading the pack is 30-year-old Christian Kirksey. The former Packers player who joined the Texans in 2021 has 10 years of experience behind him. With a record of 66 solo tackles and 2 sacks, Anderson has his work cut out for him.

Besides Kirksey, the 22-year-old Christian Harris will also pose a great challenge for the rookie. Another Alabama alumni signing for the Texans with 33 solos in just two years as a professional NFL player

Frequently Asked Questions

Which college did Will Anderson Jr go to?

He went to Alabama High School.

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Which team did he play for during his college year?

Will Anderson Jr. played for Alabama Crimson Tides from 2020-2022.

Which team drafted Will Anderson Jr. in the NFL?

He was drafted as the 3rd pick in the 2023 draft by the Houston Texans.

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