Houston Select Will Anderson Jr. With The Third Overall Pick After An Aggressive Deal

Getting the No. 2 overall selection wasn’t enough for the Houston Texans. They also desired the third selection.

The Houston Texans selected CJ Stroud of Ohio State with the second overall pick before he was traded to the Arizona Cardinals for the third pick. Will Anderson Jr., an Alabama pass rusher, was chosen.

Thanks to an unexpected ally, the Cardinals succeeded in trading out of third place. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Texans traded the 12th selection, the 33rd pick (the second choice in the second round), and first- and third-round picks in 2024. The Cardinals gave them the third and 105th overall picks.

It’s unusual what the Texans accomplished. According to ESPN Stats & Info, they join the 1992 Indianapolis Colts and 2000 Washington as the only teams to have made two selections in the top three during the typical draft period.

Since Anderson had a fantastic first season for Alabama, the NFL has been watching him. In the following years, he won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy twice, presented to the best defensive player in college football. 

In the days before the draft, there was significant debate about whether Anderson or Tyree Wilson would go first off the board as defensive players. Still, the Texans were undoubtedly taken by Anderson’s performance. To go up and grab him, they paid a high price.

DeMeco Ryans, the new head coach of the Texans, acquired a key player for his defense. Also acquired was a quarterback. There is much to be pleased about for Houston supporters who have endured a few disappointing seasons.

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