Jim Nantz Believes Texans 'Hit On Their Draft Picks'
Despite the Houston Texans' 25-9 opening loss to the Baltimore Ravens last Sunday, they showed flashes of good things to come for the future—especially the rookies.
Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, the second overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, had a rough start, but settled into his NFL debut by completing 28-of-44 attempts for 242 yards. Edge rusher Will Anderson Jr., the third overall pick, logged six tackles (including one for loss), two quarterback hits and a sack.
Their solid numbers caught the eye of esteemed CBS Sports play-by-play commentator Jim Nantz, who said that "they played reasonably well" and were "competitive" in a "tough" Baltimore atmosphere.
“I went back to watch the game and thought it was pretty promising," Nantz told Maanav’s Sports Talk's Maanav Gupta at the University of Houston Athletics Hall of Honor on Thursday. "I think they hit on their picks. The two first round picks will anchor each side of that team for years to come."
Nantz, a University of Houston Athletics Hall of Honor inductee in 2002, came to the ceremony to welcome new members into his prestigious fraternity, including Texans backup quarterback Case Keenum.
Nantz mentioned another Texans rookie who didn't necessarily shine in Week 1, but has stood out in Houston since OTA's.
"(Receiver) Nathaniel 'Tank' Dell (also from the University of Houston) is going to be a force in this league and it might be a lot faster than you think," Nantz said. "I think by the end of the year, people are going to be talking about him and he’ll be a star as well."
These three rookies are just a fraction of the amount of remodeling that the Texans organization has done this offseason. There's been plenty of support from former players and coaches like J.J. Watt and Gary Kubiak that new coach DeMeco Ryans and company are leading this team on the right path.
Nantz hopped on the train as well, stating that "the ingredients are there” for the Texans to succeed in the future.
