Texans pull off blockbuster, end up with No. 3 pick

Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Texans pull off blockbuster, end up with third overall pick after drafting QB at No. 2

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 4/27/23

Many draft experts were split on whether the Houston Texans would draft Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud or Alabama defensive end Will Anderson Jr.

Three picks into the 2023 NFL Draft and the Texans landed them both after pulling off a blockbuster trade with the Arizona Cardinals to move up from No. 12 to No. 3 overall and grab Anderson one pick after taking Stroud.

Just texted with a source in Houston “fooled the world!”

Obviously they are thrilled.
— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) April 28, 2023

Houston parted with the No. 12 and 33 overall picks in 2023 plus first- and third-round picks in 2024 to move up for the 6-foot-4, 235-pound edge-rusher who had a combined 27.5 sacks and 48 tackles for loss over the last two seasons.

The Texans still have the Cleveland Browns' first-rounder in 2024 from the Deshaun Watson trade plus an extra fourth-rounder from Cleveland as well.

RD 1 | PK 3 - HOU: Will Anderson Jr. EDGE, Alabama

Anderson is 1 of 4 edge defenders to earn a max-99 production score according to the NGS Draft Model. The other three all made a Pro Bowl within their first three seasons (Myles Garrett, Mario Williams, Chase Young). pic.twitter.com/GJKMNJmoay
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) April 28, 2023

Despite reports that the Texans were leaning toward passing on Stroud in favor of an edge-rusher after Stroud’s rumored score of 18 on his S2 Cognition Test, Houston found a way to beat the system.

In Stroud, the Texans have a franchise quarterback for first-year head coach DeMeco Ryans to build his offense around. The 21-year-old signal-caller threw for 3,688 yards, 41 touchdowns and six interceptions this season.

C.J. Stroud just became the first Ohio State QB to be selected in the top 10 of the NFL draft in 41 YEARS pic.twitter.com/5OH10pdnYl
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 28, 2023

He ends his college career with 8,123 yards, 85 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, a 69.3 completion percentage and a 22-4 record as a starter. Stroud was the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year in back-to-back seasons, and he’s considered the most accurate QB in the draft.

“God has battle-tested me,” Stroud told ESPN after being selected. “I have the armor of God on me, so everything I’ve been through has prepared me for this moment right here. … I was at a point when nobody believed in me, but I put my trust in God and my family. … You can do anything you set your mind to, and I’m a living testimony that you can really do anything. I come from nothing.”

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