2023 NFL Sacks Total Odds: Big Expectations Await Pair of First-Rounders

Over the last few seasons, Chase Young, Micah Parsons and Aidan Hutchinson all burst onto the scene with tremendous rookie campaigns, mastering the NFL’s steep learning curve. Can either Will Anderson or Tyree Wilson, top-10 picks in this year’s draft, join them among the pantheon of star pass-rushers?

Judging by the 2023 NFL sacks total odds, bookmakers expect both players to become household names sooner rather than later. Without further ado, let’s take a closer look at the projections for both players this upcoming season.

Will Anderson, Houston Texans

The Houston Texans paid a hefty price to land the former Alabama star, sending the No. 12 pick, their second-round pick (No. 33) and first- and third-round picks in 2024 to the Arizona Cardinals for the third overall selection. The trade was announced just moments after Houston drafted Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud with the No. 2 pick, renewing optimism around the much-maligned franchise.

Anderson was widely regarded as the best defensive player in this year’s draft, and with good reason. Anderson started at outside linebacker for three years at Alabama, where he was a two-time All-American and won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy back-to-back years. He also was twice named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year. He registered 34.5 sacks over 41 games at Alabama, including 17.5 as a sophomore in 2021.

Houston is hoping Anderson can make a similar impact after allowing the sixth-most points per game (24.7) last season, per NFL team stats. Former San Francisco defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans — who, ironically, was chosen by Houston in the second round of 2006 draft out of Alabama — is taking over as head coach, the franchise’s fourth in four years after Lovie Smith and David Culley were each fired after one year.

The Texans plan to use Anderson at defensive end, though his role won’t change drastically from college. He’ll be lining up with his hand in the dirt instead of stand-up position.

Tyree Wilson, Las Vegas Raiders

Las Vegas Raiders drafted the standout pass rusher from Texas Tech seventh overall, the third defensive player off the board behind Anderson and Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon, who went fifth overall to the Seattle Seahawks. Wilson recorded 15.5 sacks in 32 games over three seasons at Texas Tech after beginning his college career at Texas A&M.

The 6-6, 275-pound Wilson is a more raw prospect than Anderson, but he still has a lot of potential. Wilson had 61 tackles (14.5 for loss) and seven sacks in 2022 before suffering a season-ending foot injury. He was named a First Team All-American.

Las Vegas is counting on Wilson to bring more juice to a pass rush that ranked 30th in sacks last season while allowing the sixth-most yards (365.6 per game). The Raiders are slated to play the 10th-toughest NFL schedule this season, heightening the need to get after the quarterback. The AFC West boasts some of the league’s best quarterbacks, including the Chiefs‘ Patrick Mahomes and the Chargers‘ Justin Herbert.

As Las Vegas looks to climb up the NFL standings, Wilson should see heavy usage in a rotation that includes returning ends Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones.

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