'Credit Goes To Nick': Texans Praise GM Caserio For NFL Draft Aggression

General manager Nick Caserio receives praise for helping the Houston Texans come out of the 2023 NFL Draft with a pair of top-three picks with C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr.

HOUSTON — Nick Caserio has been under a microscope since the Houston Texans hired him as general manager in January 2021. And whether warranted or not, Caserio has faced plenty of criticism throughout his three-year tenure.

But as he took the stage inside NRG Stadium with two top-three draft picks and coach DeMeco Ryans, the trio expressed their appreciation for Caserio Friday afternoon.

"Me and Nick have been working together all week, and we've been collaborating on everything we've done — we've been on the same page," Ryans said. "It's been exciting to work with Nick, and we're excited to get the deal done because we know we were getting the deal done for the right guys."

Caserio orchestrated a possible career-defining move during Day 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft. The Texans drafted quarterback C.J. Stroud with the No. 2 pick. But with their second selection of the first round, Caserio led the charge that landed Houston EDGE Will Anderson Jr. at pick No. 3.

He packaged picks No. 12 and 33, a first-round pick, and a third-round pick in 2024 to the Arizona Cardinals for the draft rights to Anderson.

Anderson and Stroud are stoked to be united in Houston. They came into the draft with an appreciation for each other as competitors. 

But Anderson and Stroud started to develop a relationship while participating in a photoshoot for Overtime in Texas. During the event, Anderson said he and Stroud joked about becoming teammates since the draft was a few weeks away.

"Shout out to Nick — you're doing a great job," Stroud said. "I got to show Nick some love. He's the one who made it happen."

Before the first round of the draft, Caserio's biggest move as general manager was dealing quarterback Deshaun Watson to the Cleveland Browns, where the Texans received a handful of draft picks in the exchange. The No. 12 pick Caserio sent to the Cardinals for Anderson was the Browns' 2023 first rounder.

But outside of the trade packet the Texans received for Watson, Caserio's other noteworthy moves have arguably been a blunder, especially considering he is on his third coach due to the back-to-back firings of David Cully and Lovie Smith.

Caserio's goal since joining the Texans has been to build a franchise that could sustain long-term success — mirroring the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers.

But in 2023, Caserio said the goal entering the draft was to add players he and his staff felt would best improve the Texans for this coming season. And the draft addition of Anderson and Stroud was the groundwork for a successful future.

"I couldn't have been happier, smiling, just being able to get both of these guys was outstanding," Ryans said. "Credit goes to Nick and the work that he did to make that deal happen. He did an outstanding job. So credit to Nick on that one."

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You can follow Coty M. Davis on Twitter at @CotyDavis_24

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