What happened: Pro Football Focus named Will Anderson Jr. its midseason NFL Defensive Player of the Year on Tuesday. The honor recognizes Anderson's disruptive pace off the edge through the first half of the regular season.
Why it matters: Anderson's selection underscores his emergence into the league's top tier of defensive disruptors in his fourth professional season. His consistent backfield pressure provides Houston with a cornerstone presence as the defense enters the second half of the year.
By the numbers: Anderson has made 35 tackles with 9.5 sacks in 2026 through 8 games.
What to watch: Anderson aims to sustain his productive pace when Houston returns to action for Week 11.