The Houston Texans were able to keep their 2023 NFL Draft plans under lock and key as no one knew what they were going to do when they came on the clock. With the No. 2 overall pick the Texans selected Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud. What occurred after that was truly shocking.

Houston followed that up by making a trade with the Arizona Cardinals, acquiring the No. 3 overall pick. The price was steep as Houston traded the Nos. 12 and 33 picks along with a first and third-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft in exchange for the third pick and No. 105.

With the No. 3 pick, the Texans selected Alabama pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. While people will debate about whether it was smart for Houston, in the early stages of a rebuild, to trade away first, second and third-round picks, there is no debate about the caliber of player that Anderson is.

He has wreaked havoc on opponents throughout his collegiate career with the Crimson Tide. In 41 career games, he totaled 58.5 tackles for loss and 34.5 sacks. He lived in the opposing backfield and was a terror to try and block.

The Texans are coming away with franchise building blocks on both sides of the ball with Stroud and Anderson. But, given the price they paid to acquire the Alabama pass rusher, they sure hope he can live up to the player comp that he received.

According to CBS Sports scouting reports, the pro player compassion that Anderson drew is Buffalo Bills edge rusher Von Miller. Miller is one of the best in the business at getting after the quarterback and approaching his level would take a special kind of player. Based on his production at Alabama, Anderson certainly has that kind of potential.

If he can even get close to replicating what Miller has accomplished in the NFL, no one will remember the Texans trading such a big package of draft capital away for him. Having a premier pass rusher is extremely valuable and Houston got one in Anderson.