The Houston Texans weren’t exactly sure if they would be able to pick at No. 3 overall in the 2023 NFL draft.
General manager Nick Caserio had been exploring all possibilities as part of his job, but the sense was on April 27, the first day of the 2023 NFL draft, that it was just a possibility.
“We didn’t really know,” Caserio said. “We thought maybe there’s a possibility. Our job and part of my responsibility is to explore every alternative and every option.”
The Texans were already picking at No. 2 overall. They needed a quarterback, yet they also liked Alabama defensive end Will Anderson. Houston picked again in Round 1 at No. 12 overall, but there was no guarantee the best defensive player in the draft would be there when the Texans returned to pick.
“I’ll say throughout the course of the day today, there was exploratory discussions not only with Arizona, but with some other folks,” said Caserio. “We’re at 12. If we’re going to come up from 12, what would it take? Here’s what it would take. Let’s see how it goes. That was really up until.”
As soon as the Texans picked Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud, the Cardinals were on the clock. Caserio began working with Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort on compensation.
Said Caserio: “Then I think, as soon as Arizona was on the clock, then I would say the pace of those dialogues and discussion picked up.”
The Texans were able to address quarterback and also take their best player available. All it cost Houston was their No. 12 overall (Round 1), No. 33 overall (Round 2), a 2024 first-rounder, and a 2024 third-rounder for Anderson and a Round 4 (No. 105 overall) selection.
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