The Houston Texans had an exciting start to the 2023 NFL Draught by first picking their quarterback and then trading up to choose a defensive great with their next two choices.
With the second overall choice, the Texans selected Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud after the Carolina Panthers selected Alabama quarterback Bryce Young. Later, Houston acquired Alabama LB Will Anderson Jr. by moving up from No. 12 to No. 3. Everyone was stunned, even Anderson who was seated in Kansas City’s Green Room.
“My heart had dropped,” Anderson admitted. “I had just seen Houston, Texas flash up on my phone, and I thought, They think you’re that good to come up and trade and get you, you know what I mean? It’s simply a huge blessing.
Nick Caserio, general manager of the Texans, said it was a busy night and that after Arizona was scheduled to choose third overall, trade negotiations heated up.
Arizona was on the clock when we made the selection, according to Caserio. “After that, we were pressed for time and really debating the trade compensation. With around 1:30 left on the clock, I’d suppose the real trade was completed.
With just a few seconds left, the Texans submitted their selection for Anderson. Fans rejoiced at the draught party, and when the deal was completed, cheers also broke out in the war room.
It’s exciting, said Caserio. I probably should not have attended the draught party, but we had work to do. I am aware not to dampen the excitement, therefore. We ought to be ecstatic. Although we should be grateful for the chance, in reality, each transaction simply leads to the next. You must turn the page, and neither high nor low is acceptable.
In his final season at Ohio State, Stroud, a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist, had a starting record of 21-4. The Buckeyes’ offence in 2021 was the best in the country in terms of total offence (561.5) and scoring offence (45.7) with Stroud at the centre. He was named Big Ten Conference Player of the Year and Big Ten Quarterback of the Year in 2017 after directing an explosive offence that finished second in the country in scoring (44.2 ppg) and passing touchdowns (41).
John Harris, a football analyst with the Texans, remarked that Stroud had the best passing ability of any quarterback he had examined over the previous three to four seasons. He does unique actions such as spinning the rock against a secondary. He possesses the same skills as top-tier NFL quarterbacks, including touch, zip, movement, and throwing.
With a final weight of 6-4 and 243 pounds, Anderson concluded his three seasons second only to Hall of Famer Derrick Thomas in terms of tackles for loss (62) and career sacks (34.5). The Bednarik Award, given to the best defender in the country, was given to Anderson last year. He was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year by both the coaches in the conference and the Associated Press for leading the SEC with 10 sacks and 17 tackles for loss. In his three-year career, Anderson recorded 205 tackles (115 of them solo), 62 tackles for loss, 34.5 sacks, one interception, five passes defensed, and one forced fumble in 41 games for the Crimson Tide. Anderson was given the starting nod during his rookie season.
Harris stated, “He’s been the most dominant player on the pitch, with the intensity to match, from the day that he set foot on the Alabama campus. That undoubtedly translates to the following level.
The Texans won’t be in play again until the third round on Friday, when there are still 10 draught picks available. With more trade agreements, Caserio might, however, alter that.
“So, we have 65 and 73, and then the two fours, the fifth, the three sixth, and the two seventh,” Caserio stated. “We do have a little leeway. We’ll sort of go back and look at what’s left tonight, knowing that probably another 30-ish, 35 players will be chosen before we do. Could we advance from round 65 to round two? That is a possibility, but it will depend on the players.
