Texans Duo Among NFL.com All-Rookie Team Projections
Leading up to the annual NFL Draft, experts and analysts of football worldwide do everything they can to predict what teams like the Houston Texans will do.
Despite rumors the Texans might pass on Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud due to relationships in common between the rookie and former face of the team Deshaun Watson, the team did end up picking their potential face of the future.
So that pick wasn’t all that surprising, but the next one was. Not because of who it was, but because of how soon it came.
After executing a trade with the Arizona Cardinals, Houston got the rights to pick third overall after taking Stroud one pick earlier.
And with that pick, they took defensive end Will Anderson Jr out of Alabama who NFL.com now says is an early favorite to land on All-Rookie Teams when they come out after the season.
“The highly regarded edge rusher faces a tall task to meet expectations,” says NFL.com. “Though he won’t be the biggest defensive end in the league, the 6-foot-4, 243-pound Anderson can convert speed to power and use his length effectively from a three-point stance. He’ll be a true force as a rookie under head coach DeMeco Ryans if he’s able to mix up his pass-rush moves and consistently turn the corner.”
But he’s not the only rookie getting preseason praise from the league’s own media entity.
With a focus on defense and special teams, receiver Tank Dell got a nod as a preseason All-Rookie favorite as well.
“The wide receiver will likely be a factor on offense in Year 1 with the Texans,” says NFL.com. “But he could also land on all-rookie squads as a returner, having handled such duties throughout his three college seasons with Houston. Willing to head directly upfield after securing the ball, Dell uses his quick feet and fearlessness to explode through holes and fight through arm tackles.”
If this defensive and special teams duo can make good on these projections then it’ll be a positive sign of things to come for the Texans.
Of course, if Stroud is able to join them on All-Rookie Teams after the Houston trio’s first season in the NFL, then things will be looking even better.
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