It was no surprise that the Texans selected former Ohio State star C.J. Stroud with the No. 2 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday night.
The team was widely expected to draft a quarterback with its struggling offense in desperate need of a playmaker, and it did just that.
Stroud, a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist who is considered one of the top quarterback prospects, threw for 8,123 yards and 85 touchdowns in his last two seasons at Ohio State. He will now join a team whose offense ranked 31st in yards per game (283.5) and 25th in passing yards per game (196.7).
With a new quarterback in Stroud and head coach DeMeco Ryans at the helm, it feels like a new era in Texans football. Fans will expect a major turnaround for a team that hasn’t made the playoffs since the 2019 season.
In the lead-up to the draft, there were questions on which quarterback would get the call, with debates centered on Stroud and former Alabama standout Bryce Young.
In a surprise move, the Texans then traded up to the No. 3 pick to select Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson to add to the excitement.
Stroud is the third quarterback to be selected in the first round by the Texans, joining David Carr and Deshaun Watson. He is also the first Ohio State quarterback to be selected in the top 10 in the NFL Draft in over 40 years.
IT WAS ALWAYS HIM pic.twitter.com/ou98njPYKZ
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) April 28, 2023
The Texans have a new QB in CJ Stroud.
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) April 28, 2023
His new teammates— Christian Harris and Kenyon Green seem pretty excited about it. pic.twitter.com/t1zLXZ13eM
WOW!! @texans do it!! They select CJ Stroud with the #2 pick and the fans here react with an explosion of cheers!! pic.twitter.com/jTVHNNlBf2
— Matt Musil (@KHOUSportsMatt) April 28, 2023
The Astros are the reigning World Champs.
— ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) April 28, 2023
The Rockets hired Ime Udoka and are bringing in a top pick in a stacked draft.
The Texans hired DeMeco Ryans and drafted CJ Stroud AND Will Anderson.
HOUSTON IS A REAL SPORTS CITY AGAIN!!!
Nick Caserio and DeMeco Ryans and the Houston Texans have won the draft
— Drew (@IndepthTexans) April 28, 2023
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
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