'He Wasn't Going To Last': Texans GM Nick Caserio Reveals Trade Strategy For Will Anderson Jr.
HOUSTON — The Houston Texans used their first pick of the 2023 NFL Draft on quarterback C.J. Stroud. The selection addressed the Texans' need at quarterback. But with their next selection 10 picks away, it appeared the Texans would miss out on the opportunity to draft Will Anderson Jr.
The edge rusher from Alabama was a highly-sought after prospect entering the draft. He was the highest-rated defensive player on the Texans' draft board after he finished his college career with 205 tackles and 34.5 sacks in 114 games.
And a source told TexansDaily that coach DeMeco Ryans was "leaning heavily" toward drafting Anderson following an impressive meeting at the NFL scouting combine and Top-30 visit.
But instead of missing out on arguably the best defensive lineman of the draft, the Texans sent their No. 12 pick to the Arizona Cardinals to move up to the No. 3 selection, where they drafted Anderson.
"It came down to what we felt was best for the football team," general manager Nick Caserio said. "It was an opportunity to get a player we thought very highly of. We knew he wasn't going to last. We felt that adding him to our football team is something we wanted to do."
Caserio said the Texans and Cardinals agreed to the deal with a minute and a half left on the draft clock. In addition to the No. 3 pick, Houston also received the Cardinals' No. 105 pick, while Arizona obtained the Texans' No. 33 pick, a first-rounder and a third-round pick in 2024.
The Texans were fond of Anderson's on-field skill set. But Caserio said the franchise became more fond of Anderson due to his off-field personality.
The Texans had to move off their lone second-round pick to land Anderson. But Caserio said he and his staff have not ruled out the possibility of moving back into the second round to continue their ongoing roster construction through the draft.
"A part of my responsibility is to explore every alternative and option," Caserio said. "There were discussions throughout the day with Arizona. But with some other teams. But as soon as Arizona was on the clock, the pace of the discussion picked up."
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