Houston’s Sack Duo Could Propel Texans Defense to New Levels
While much of the focus is on the Texans’ weaknesses, their greatest strength still has plenty to prove in 2025. Houston’s defense is becoming even more formidable as young players gain more experience in the NFL, and everything begins with a dominant pass-rush unit. Danielle Hunter, the second-highest paid edge rusher in the league, and Will Anderson Jr. combined for 23 sacks last season, and with the upcoming minicamp, fans are excited to see an even stronger performance in 2025.
Of course, facing off against an inconsistent and evolving offensive line certainly gives them an advantage—particularly in minicamp drills. ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime highlighted a moment during the first day of minicamp when both Hunter and Anderson pressured CJ Stroud in the pocket at the same time. Texans fans will be eager to see that kind of pressure translate into real-game situations this fall.
Hunter recently noted that he and Anderson missed several sack opportunities last season, which is a terrifying thought for opposing offenses. With the defensive backfield now fully healthy, stronger coverage on the back end could create even more opportunities for the pass rush to dominate.
Last year, Houston registered 49 sacks, ranking fourth in the league, but still far behind the Denver Broncos, who led with 63. If Hunter and Anderson can combine for 30 or more sacks in 2025, the Texans’ defense could very well reach that same level.
While much of the national focus has been on Houston’s offensive concerns, especially the offensive line, the team’s defensive strengths were key to their consistent performance under head coach DeMeco Ryans in his second season. However, for the Texans to rise above the pack in the conference, the entire team needs to take a major step forward. That process starts with the dominant duo of Hunter and Anderson leading the charge on defense.
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