There are grand expectations for the Houston Texans that the young core which keyed last season's turnaround will mesh with the splashy veteran additions to create a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
So far this spring, a quick chemistry has come to be on the defensive line, as Pro Bowlers Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter have teamed up to provide ample optimism and anticipation for the season ahead.
"With Danielle and Will, I think they instantly have this connection that you need for both of those ends and playing off of each other, picking off of each other's brain," Texans second-year head coach DeMeco Ryans said Wednesday, via team transcript. "Danielle is a veteran in the league, he has done it for awhile, so Will being able to lean on him for advice on how he has seen it done, I think that is very important."
Though Hunter brings ample experience to Houston, he's hardly just a veteran add with wisdom to bestow upon Anderson, the reigning Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year.
Still on the better side of 30, Hunter was voted to his fourth career Pro Bowl in his ninth and final season with the Minnesota Vikings. Hunter produced career highs of 16.5 sacks, 23 tackles for loss (which led the NFL), 22 QB hits, 83 tackles and four forced fumbles.
Somewhat under the radar, Hunter was absolutely sensational for the Vikings in 2023, while, some 1,200 miles south, Anderson was settling in nicely for the Texans.
Also a Pro Bowler, Anderson put up seven sacks, 22 QB hits and 45 tackles in 15 games.
Just how well Hunter and Anderson could be in tandem is an exciting proposition.
As the two no doubt plan to meet at the quarterback in the 2024 season, Ryans believes the 22-year-old Anderson has plenty to learn from the 29-year-old Hunter. Hardly one to exaggerate or pile on the superlatives, Ryans making note of their early rapport is notable.
"I like the connection that they have had, they are working well together," Ryans said, "and it is great to see both of them collapse in the pocket and finishing on the quarterback."
As much of a boon as it is for the Texans, it could be ill fortune for the opposition.
Though Anderson and Hunter will be the front line of the Texans' pass rush, there's plenty of depth for Houston -- at least on paper.
With Anderson as the homegrown talent to build around, the Texans have added Hunter, Denico Autry, Foley Fatukasi, Mario Edwards and Tim Settle to bolster a remade defensive front.
Ryans' defense was tied for 13th in sacks last season. Good, but not outstanding. It was deep, but not deep enough. Thus, Ryans is happy with the offseason and the outlook.
"For me, I want as much depth as possible on our defensive line," Ryans said. "When you can get guys like Denico, Danielle, Tim, veteran guys who have played a lot of football and they have made a lot of plays and they know what it looks like, it is easy for those guys to come into our system and transition very quicky, especially when they are here during the offseason program. And having those guys around, I think it has helped everyone because they understand our style of play, they understand how we see the D-line play and how important it is, not only to our defense but to our entire team."
The depth is there and so too are the star rushers looking to lead the way in Anderson and Hunter. Expected to be a dynamic pass-rushing duo, the Hunter-Anderson Houston connection is off to a stellar start this spring.
