The Houston Texans flexed their muscles Thursday night with a surprising NFL Draft trade that shocked football insiders and fans alike.
The Texans did what most draft experts expected with the No. 2 overall pick, selecting Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud.
Then came the shocker. A couple of minutes later, the Texans were back on the clock, having traded with the Arizona Cardinals for the No. 3 pick in the draft. ESPN’s Adam Schefter seemed almost breathless announcing the move.
The Texans used that pick on Alabama Crimson Tide edge rusher Will Anderson Jr.
With that No. 3 pick, the Texans select Will Anderson.
Houston comes away with C.J. Stroud and Anderson at No. 2 and 3. 🏈📺 pic.twitter.com/zSZ47aHpge
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 28, 2023
With two consecutive picks, Houston got their offensive leader and a defensive cornerstone.
The reaction by Anderson’s family to his selection is priceless.
Will Anderson's family reacts to him being drafted by the Houston Texans at the No. 3 pick (ABC broadcast). 🏈 #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/cDqNd2vlEg
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 28, 2023
It’s worth noting that one NFL Draft analyst had predicted the Texans would do just that. NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah predicted Wednesday the Texans would not only make that trade, but would draft Anderson.
“It’s no secret that Arizona wants to trade out of No. 3, and it’s no secret that Houston is seriously considering an edge rusher with the second pick,” Jeremiah wrote on NFL.com. “Both teams get what they want in this scenario. Houston now has a pillar on each side of the ball.”
So while Jeremiah seemed to be plugged into the Texans draft room, the trade stunned the rest of the NFL world, who quickly reacted on Twitter.
Nick Caserio and DeMeco Ryans and the Houston Texans have won the draft
They got the top player on their board in Will Anderson and a Franchise QB in C.J Stroud
Don’t see any team beating that regardless of what happens 👏 pic.twitter.com/5jW32M7Mop
— Drew (@IndepthTexans) April 28, 2023
What did we just watch?!
The Houston Texans trade up and get Will Anderson Jr. pic.twitter.com/8aj0pyo1ck
— NBC Sports Bet (@NBCSportsBet) April 28, 2023
Houston Texans shock the NFL CJ Stroud / Will Anderson reaction !!! #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/2OL3fU3ZQS
— Coach K | Keith Sanchez (@TheTalentCode) April 28, 2023
DeMeco Ryans, a former Alabama LB, is having an incredible NFL Draft as the new head coach for the Houston Texans.
C.J. Stroud is its quarterback and Will Anderson is its pass rusher.
— Stephen M. Smith (@CoachingMSmith) April 28, 2023
The fans’ and Stroud’s reaction once they realized the #Cards traded their No. 3 pick to Houston!
Texans now gets Stroud AND Will Anderson Jr BACK TO BACK (picks 2&3) in the #NFLDraft
I sure hope Arizona got a boatload of picks AND THEN SOME with that move… pic.twitter.com/7eo8GcuC5i
— Luke Lyddon (@Luke_Lyddon) April 28, 2023
