Tag: Will Anderson

Dec 10, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) throws a pass during the second half against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Texans QB C.J. Stroud ruled out vs. Browns

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Houston Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud will miss a second consecutive game due to a concussion after the team ruled him out for Sunday’s contest against the visiting Cleveland Browns.

Stroud was held out of last week’s 19-16 overtime win against the Tennessee Titans and replaced in the lineup by Case Keenum.

Pro Football Talk reported on Wednesday that Stroud has shown concussion symptoms since Week 13 against the Denver Broncos. He officially was diagnosed with a concussion the following week in a road game loss to the New York Jets. Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams blasted Stroud on a pass play with 6:24 to play in the game and the rookie quarterback’s head hit and bounced off the turf.

Stroud, the No. 2 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, was second in the NFL in passing yards (3,631) and had the fifth-best passer rating (98.7) in the league at the time of his injury in Week 14.

Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (ankle) and linebacker Blake Cashman (hamstring) also were ruled out of Sunday’s game. Wide receiver Nico Collins (calf), linebacker Denzel Perryman (Achilles) and defensive tackle Maliek Collins (hip) were limited in practice for the third straight day and listed as questionable for Houston, which is one game behind the Browns (9-5) in a crowded wild-card playoff picture in the AFC.

The Texans (8-6) hope to avoid the wild-card quagmire by winning the AFC South division, where they are one of three teams with the same record. Indianapolis and Jacksonville also have eight wins, and the Texans play at Indianapolis in the regular-season finale.

–Field Level Media

May 12, 2023; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans linebacker Will Anderson Jr. (51) stretches with other rookies during rookie camp at the Methodist practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Texans sign No. 3 pick LB Will Anderson

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The Houston Texans signed No. 3 overall pick Will Anderson to a fully guaranteed four-year, $35.21 million contract, NFL Network reported Friday.

The rookie contract for the 21-year-old Alabama linebacker includes a fifth-year option and a $22.6 million signing bonus, per the report.

Anderson is the first top-five selection from the 2023 NFL Draft class to sign a contract.

After selecting Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud with the No. 2 overall pick in April’s draft, the Texans traded up nine spots with the Arizona Cardinals to grab Anderson.

The 6-foot-4, 243-pound Anderson recorded 17.5 sacks in 2021 and 10 sacks in 2022 for the Crimson Tide. He was a two-time consensus All-American, a two-time Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year and a two-time Nagurski Trophy winner.

By comparison, Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., the No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, signed a four-year, $34.7 million rookie deal last season that included a $22.4 million signing bonus.

–Field Level Media

Mar 1, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; An empty podium for Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Jalen Carter (not pictured) during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Still the 1? QBs rise, DT Jalen Carter falls in top pick odds

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Bryce Young exits the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine with a firm grip as the favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick, oddsmakers say.

FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook and DraftKings all upped Young’s chances of being the top pick in the 2023 NFL Draft over the past week, despite Young’s decision to postpone his passing session and on-field testing until the Alabama Pro Day on March 23.

Young is -190 at FanDuel with former Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud +350 and ex-Florida QB Anthony Richardson making another big climb to +600.

Richardson, with his 6-foot-4, 244-pound frame, led all quarterbacks at the combine in the 40-yard dash, broad jump and vertical jump.

Will Anderson, who worked out as a defensive end, is the top defensive player at FanDuel at +1200.

No player dropped further in No. 1 pick futures odds this past week than ex-Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter. The pre-combine buzz around Carter pushed him to +550 to be drafted No. 1. After he left Indianapolis to turn himself in for a reckless driving and drag racing warrant connected to the deaths of two people in Athens, Ga., Carter dipped to +4000 at FanDuel.

He’s +5000 at DraftKings, and both books list Carter on the board behind former Texas Tech edge rusher Tyree Wilson (+3500).

BetRivers took a $1,000 bet on former Kentucky quarterback Will Levis to be the No. 1 overall pick at +2500 odds (potential payout of $25,000) with another $1,000 wager on Wilson being the first defensive player drafted at +550.

Defensive players are also taking a hit in No. 1 pick futures after Bears general manager Ryan Poles all but admitted there’s not much of a chance Chicago will pick No. 1 overall. As the Bears fish for the best trade offer, the most likely scenario involves a team that needs a quarterback swapping picks with the Bears.

Richardson opened at +10000 at BetMGM and was +500 as of Tuesday morning.

Richardson has 22.7 percent of the handle at BetMGM, where Young is the leader in total handle at 28.8 percent.

At PointsBet, Richardson is just +350 — dead even with Stroud — and Young is the favorite at -165.

–Field Level Media

Dec 31, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Will Anderson Jr. (31) defensive back Jordan Battle (9) and quarterback Bryce Young (9) celebrate the victory against the Kansas State Wildcats in the 2022 Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports

Bryce Young, Will Anderson among Alabama trio NFL-bound

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Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, linebacker Will Anderson Jr. and running back Jahmyr Gibbs all declared for the 2023 NFL Draft on Monday.

Young and Anderson are expected to be top-five picks, with Young likely to go No. 1 overall if the Houston Texans earn the first pick. Gibbs projects to be a late first-round pick.

All three announced their decisions — which were expected — at a news conference Monday. The players were introduced by head coach Nick Saban.

Young completed his career with a five-touchdown performance in Alabama’s 45-20 win over Kansas State in the Sugar Bowl. The 2021 Heisman Trophy winner threw for 8,356 yards and 80 touchdowns with 12 interceptions in three seasons with the Crimson Tide.

Anderson won back-to-back Bronko Nagurski awards as the nation’s top defensive player. The two-time All-American finishes with 34.5 career sacks.

Young was asked what he’d say to Anderson about hitting him at full speed in the pros.

“Please take it easy,” Young said. “Remember all the good times we had. … Before we play I’ll probably send him a picture of us from freshman year together.”

Gibbs spent just one season in Alabama after transferring from Georgia Tech. He rushed for 926 yards and seven touchdowns this season.

–Field Level Media

Nov 26, 2022; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young (9) drops back to pass as offensive lineman Tyler Steen (54) blocls against the Auburn Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 49-27. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

Alabama QB Bryce Young, LB Will Anderson to play in Sugar Bowl

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Alabama coach Nick Saban confirmed to reporters Friday night that quarterback Bryce Young and linebacker Will Anderson will play in the Sugar Bowl on Dec. 31 rather than opt out to prepare for the NFL draft.

The Crimson Tide had no players opt out of the bowl game, according to Saban.

Young is projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft, and Anderson, considered among the best defensive prospects available, is expected to be a high selection as well.

More players in recent years have chosen to sit out bowl games to protect their bodies and, in turn, their draft stock. Saban framed Young’s and Anderson’s decisions as team-first moves.

“I think it sets a great example for guys that respect their teammates,” Saban said, “want to be a part of their team, know the impact that they can make, the value that they can make, that they can create for themselves by playing well against good competition. I’m extremely proud of these guys. We’re gonna support them in every way that we can.”

Alabama (10-2) missed the SEC championship game and finished No. 5 in the College Football Playoff rankings, the first team out of the playoff field. The Crimson Tide will face Big 12 champion Kansas State in the Sugar Bowl.

Young, the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner, has followed up a breakout season by completing 64.1 percent of his passes for 3,007 yards, 27 touchdowns and five interceptions thus far. Anderson, at one point considered the likely No. 1 draft pick in 2023, has tallied 51 tackles, 10 sacks and a pick-6 this season.

–Field Level Media