
C.J. Stroud got his wish during the 2023 NFL draft.
After Houston picked Stroud second overall on Day 1, the former Ohio State quarterback quickly made some of his first headlines with the Houston Texans when news broke that he lobbied both coach DeMeco Ryans and general manager Nick Caserio to take speedy wide receiver Tank Dell from the University of Houston. The Texans drafted Dell 69th overall in Round 3 and is the first offensive weapon deliberately chosen to pair with Stroud.