In moving on from Deshaun Watson—which we realize the Texans had to do—the franchise put itself through organizational hell. The Texans have since made two snap coaching changes, each after a year. They parted ways with a machiavellian executive, Jack Easterby, after a public power struggle. The team separated itself from all of its most notable players and any distant memory of what a functioning program looked like.
And so, the 2022 and ’23 drafts, in which they had four total first-round picks, were supposed to be a reward of sorts and a sign of healing to come.
What actually ensued Thursday is a matter of perspective. Certainly, the Texans will tell you that they got the best offensive player in the draft and the best defensive player in the draft by selecting Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud at No. 2 and Alabama pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. at No. 3. We will likely read piece after piece about how they are “all in” and about how they commanded the draft board. Insert your sports meme cliché, likening Nick Caserio to the pirate in the boat proclaiming I am the captain now.
