Why a former Alabama football player traded up to take Will Anderson Jr. in NFL Draft
The Houston Texans were a commonly-projected spot for former Alabama football linebacker Will Anderson Jr. if they didn't use the No. 2 overall pick to take their quarterback of the future in the 2023 NFL Draft.
The Texans, led by former Alabama star DeMeco Ryans, who was hired this year as head coach, took former Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud with the No. 2 pick. It looked like they decided to pass on Anderson until they traded up to the No. 3 overall pick with the Arizona Cardinals and took Anderson.
The Texans gave up the No. 12 pick and a second-round pick (33 overall) this year along with a first and third-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Texans also gained a fourth-round pick this year (105).
It gives the Texans what they hope will be the quarterback of the future, Stroud, and a centerpiece on their defense for years to come in Anderson. The Texans had the second-worst record in the NFL, going 3-13-1 last season.
Anderson is a two-time All-American for the Crimson Tide and will now join a defense led by Ryans, himself an All-American linebacker at Alabama. Ryans played for Alabama from 2002-05 and is from Bessemer. Anderson only trails Derrick Thomas in sacks and tackles for loss in the Crimson Tide record books.
Former Alabama quarterback Bryce Young was the No. 1 overall pick to the Carolina Panthers, the first time Alabama has had the No. 1 overall pick in program history. The duo is the first two to go in the top three picks for Alabama.
BRYCE YOUNG: Pros and cons of Carolina Panthers taking Alabama football's Bryce Young in 2023 NFL Draft
WILL ANDERSON JR: Pros and cons of Houston Texans picking Alabama football's Will Anderson in 2023 NFL Draft
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: What did the Texans give up to get Alabama football's Will Anderson?
