[2023 NFL Draft/1-3] Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama

The Texans selecting Will Anderson Jr. with the No. 3 overall pick in the NFL Draft intrigued 2022 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa.
Bosa believes Anderson Jr. could help new HC and former 49ers DC DeMeco Ryans establish a solid defensive blueprint.

"I'm pretty sure they're going to try to emulate what we did in San Francisco...and with a young guy like that, you can mold him into a lot of things," Bosa recently told Yahoo Sports' Jori Epstein. "I heard he likes to watch tape on me, so it'll be fun to see him try some of my moves out."
It would be ideal for Houston if Anderson Jr. reproduces a Bosa-like stat line in Ryans' system.

In two seasons under Ryans, the 49ers DE entered his prime. He made two Pro Bowls, recorded a career-high 18.5 sacks in 16 games last season, and he racked up a career-high 21 tackles for loss in 17 games in 2021.

Bosa's elite performance supercharged the 49ers defense, which has allowed the second-fewest points (642) in the league since 2021 and has carried them to consecutive NFC championship appearances.

"Ryans envisioned Anderson Jr. as the kind of game-changing edge-rusher all great defenses have, similar to the one he had built around in his previous job in San Francisco: Nick Bosa," wroteESPN's Kevin Seifert.

Anderson Jr. is an outstanding prospect. In three seasons at Alabama, he recorded 34.5 sacks and 62 tackles for loss; both marks are second-most in program history behind Pro Hall of Famer Derrick Thomas.

The Texans traded two first-rounders (and more) to Arizona to select Anderson Jr. It's a huge gamble but worthwhile if the 21-year-old becomes a defensive centerpiece and a player of a similar caliber to Bosa.


Nick Bosa:
6’3 3/4, 266, 33” arms

Will Anderson Jr:
6’3 3/4, 253, 33 7/8” arms

 

Does he have the burst that Bosa has?

 

Will Anderson didn't do much at the combine but....

Nick Bosa:
40-yard Dash - 4.79
10-Yard Split - 1.55

Will Anderson:
40-Yard Dash - 4.6
10-Yard Split - 1.61

 

I think if no trades were made, the Texans pick up Anderson at number 2. But the call to draft Stroud came from upper ownership and the financial folks.

All you had to do is read the fan boards, and the fans were tired of no QB. I listened to the podcasts, 790, 610, etc. And everyone wanted a QB. Plus Stroud is really good, and has the potential to be great. The majority of fans and radio hosts wanted the sexy position, a QB; while coaches and the in-the-trenches fans wanted Anderson.

Both fanbases got what they wanted. Of course losing a potentially top 5 pick next season would be devastating, especially after the Tunsil future pick was a 2 and the Watson future pick was a 3.


I preferred Stroud over Young myself. I even saw rumors that the coaches in Carolina preferred Stroud too, but ownership wanted Young. Even though I know Young is elite, he’s never had to face NFL speed, tactics, and sheer power gunning for him. E=MC^2 and Young has a lot less mass than his contemporaries. When even the big bodied QB have trouble getting through a season injury free what would make a small guy beat the odds; though Young is intriguing, I don’t see him enduring the punishment of the NFL.

Andew Luck was a big guy, he was at the top of his game, and called it quits because he could not endure the pains of waking up from being tenderized during NFL games being hunted by elite pass rushers.

 

I don't know what role - if any - ownership played in the decision. But I'd like to think the Texans learned something last season (maybe they already knew it): your opportunities to draft a franchise QB are finite. And often beyond your control. They essentially staged a full-blown tank last season and *still* couldn't secure the #1 pick. So if you're in position to get one, you have to act with urgency - even if he's not your 1.1; even if a much better prospect is looming next year... You can't assume anything.

None of this is to suggest you should reach for a guy you don't believe can be great - that's bad. But if Bryce Young was a 10 and Caleb Williams is a 10, and you feel confident CJ Stroud is a.... 8, 9..... You can't kick that decision down the road.

 

1.55 split is explosive

 

Will's arms are slightly longer than 6'7 Aidan. He can bend like he's 4'5.


Looking at it from Demeco's eyes, it's easy to understand why the trade was made. You need an all world Edge to play Meco's style of defense, which many analysts + fans here considered heem to be the best overall talent in the entire draft.
Plus, there isn't going to be another Will Anderson next draft let alone from ALLLLLAAABAMA! Dallas Turner will go early but is different from what they use. Although, the Jets did draft a smaller edge to compliment their 260lbs+ ends.

Personally, I would have gone Jaxon and Nolan Smith with a minor trade. Filling 2 holes is better than filling one.
But the ALLLLABAMA heart wants, what the heart wants. They executed what they wanted to do. I ain't mad. (Better not win only 3 games next year)

 

Issue with JSN and the reason why he dropped.

Multiple hamstring issues and a grade 2 that put him out the majority of the year. Those are typically a chronic type conditions you fight much of your career.

Remember Will Fuller? Absolute dynamite when healthy.

But hey that full moon comes around every now and then.

 

Yeah, I think it's funny how so many Texans fans never are willing to give them any kuddos. We would rather complain and talk about who made what call.

Caserio came out and said him and Demeco talked with ownership, and that they were fully on board with their decision. They made the decision to take CJ Stroud 1st then take Will Anderson. He said they finalized the deal while Arizona was on the clock...meaning that until Arizona was on the clock (3 minutes left according to NC), they came to the conclusion that they would leave the draft with CJ Stroud. But now we say oh no... Cal told them to take the QB, even though Cal came out and talked about how much trust he had in them to get it done. Let's just agree that the management team of the Texans, agreed to be aggressive, and we left the draft with two top guys.

 

It's certainly a gamble and an overpay, despite me not totally believing in the draft nerd charts.

I still like the move/offseason so far. Texans needed to make a major move.

 

I cannot wait to see Bill Simmons eat crow, and my ***

 

solid hype roll.

 

Check the video of Nick and Demeco celebrating. Cal is obviously an outside observer waiting for his cue to congratulate the new pick.

 

When DeMeco got hired he said something that drafting at #2 would guarantee them a chance at a either Young or Stroud. He said he liked them both very much! I’m not disparaging the pick by any means. The smart move was to draft Stroud.

But, I think Demeco and the coaches would have taken Anderson, without outside involvement. As DeMeco Ryan saw Anderson more, I think he realized that he could be the cornerstone of his defensive identity. My gut feeling is, if it were up to him, he’d of probably gotten Anderson.

It’s been reported that there were 3 trade scenarios worked on previous to the draft with Arizona. Hence, The parameters for a trade with Arizona were made days prior to the draft. The reason the Texans had to wait was in case another team swooped in and offered more, or just to do their due diligence. Texans were fairly confident that they could end up with the Arizona pick.

I don’t think any fans would have been upset if the trade for #3 was not made; Stroud is an elite prospect QB. But I think management trusted DeMeco assessment of what Anderson would bring to the defense. So they saw that the cost though high, would be worth the risk.

Both camps got what they wanted. An elite QB to build an offense, and an elite pass rusher to build a defense.

 

Or when Meco referenced two talented qbs available in the draft. He wasn't talking about Levis and Richardson.

 

Is Texans Thoughts tolerated here?

 

2023 NFL ‘All-Draft Pick Team’: Our favorite selections at each position - The Athletic