Texans’ McNair discusses the surprising draft-day trade they orchestrated…
Secrecy was a prominent theme for Cal McNair as he looked back on Day 1 of last April’s draft.
The owner of the Houston Texans, who was then serving as the CEO and chairman of the team, recalled the barrage of calls from reporters in the hours leading up to the franchise’s No. 2 pick, which he found amusing.
“Some calls were like, ‘What’s your plan? We can’t get anything out of you. Are you eyeing a quarterback?'” McNair recounted.
Stroud and Anderson played pivotal roles as the Texans clinched the AFC South title and advanced to the second round of the playoffs. Both received Pro Bowl honors and swept the Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year awards, a feat achieved only three times before by teammates.
This marked the first instance since 2000, when Washington drafted linebacker LaVar Arrington (No. 2) and offensive tackle Chris Samuels (No. 3), that a team made consecutive picks in the top three.
Maintaining confidentiality is paramount for Caserio and Ryans. For significant moves, they often keep information limited to themselves and McNair.
“We’re focused on what we believe is best for the organization and safeguarding its interests,” Caserio explained.
Initially uncertain if the trade could materialize, McNair grew confident once everything fell into place, recognizing the potential of the partnership between his general manager and rookie coach.
“Nick is very diligent in adhering to his objectives. We weren’t certain if we could achieve that within the parameters he set,” McNair remarked. “We were on edge as the negotiations unfolded. When they sealed the deal, it signaled a green light to move forward. It was a pivotal moment for me.”
Despite the Texans’ tight-lipped approach, they value input from scouts and assistant coaches.
“Nick and I share the same perspective on information dissemination. We prioritize its relevance to our objectives,” Ryans stated. “Our priority is the team’s welfare. Limiting information flow between us serves that purpose.”
While it was widely speculated that the Texans favored Anderson, rumors about potentially passing on Stroud left even members of the organization uncertain.
The whirlwind of rumors caused fluctuations in oddsmakers’ predictions. Quarterback Will Levis was initially favored early in the week, with Anderson emerging as the frontrunner shortly before the draft.
Stroud only became the top choice moments before the draft began, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
“Contrary to popular belief, our goal isn’t to publicize our plans,” Caserio emphasized. “We simply aim to make decisions that align with our team’s needs. Not everyone is privy to all the information, but those who need it, have it.”
Mission accomplished.
While outsiders remained unaware of their intentions, the Texans’ internal leadership remained united. They believe their strategy also minimized leaks, preventing the trade price from escalating beyond what they eventually paid to move up to No. 3.
“We had extensively discussed the trade requirements to acquire Anderson,” Ryans noted. “I’m glad we managed to keep it under wraps. If other teams caught wind of our plans, they might have attempted to outmaneuver us, potentially inflating the price.
What I appreciated about last year’s draft was that we targeted two players we truly valued and were able to secure them.”
This year’s draft promises to be less eventful for the Texans, having traded out of the first round following significant spending in free agency. However, they aim to leverage the value of their nine picks to bolster roster depth.
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