Texans' owner says he didn't pressure pick of CJ Stroud

The Houston Texans picked Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud with the second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft; we know this. What is puzzling is that the team fleeced everyone into thinking they weren't taking a quarterback - so much so that several mock drafts as early as two weeks before had the team going defense at No. 2. Texans owner Cal McNair insisted that he had no influence on the pick of Stroud. "Hannah and I don't make the picks," McNair said at the team's charity golf event.

#Texans owner Cal McNair makes it adamantly clear on the draft that “Hannah and I don’t make the picks. We ll make it clear there.”

— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) May 8, 2023

"We have a great group of scouts led by Nick [Caserio] and James Lippert," McNair continued, "and they did a lot of work on the draft board, and then they followed that on draft day, and they moved up when they saw the value was there and moved back."

Houston, famously, picked Stroud at No. 2 and then traded up to take Alabama defensive end Will Anderson Jr. The Texans are certainly doing everything they can to improve their roster, which has been one of the weakest in the NFL for the past few seasons.

I, personally, love the presence of new head coach DeMeco Ryans and think he can make a huge impact on trying to change the course of the franchise. It probably won't be this year, or even next, but they definitely have the ability to slowly get better with time.

more Qb news:

• The Arizona Cardinals selected Houston QB Clayton Tune in the fifth round, but he thinks he's the best QB prospect in this year's class. "If you look at my body of work, the effect that I have on my team that I play on, I elevate everyone around me. I'm a natural leader, people follow me and see the work that I'm putting in and the mindset that I have, and they want to follow suit. I have that no-flinch mentality when things get tough." That's some confidence. Maybe it'll work in his favor - starter Kyler Murray may miss the first few weeks of the season while he recovers from a torn ACL. Could Tune get a chance to fill in?
  

• The Indianapolis Colts got to see their rookie QB in action during rookie minicamp. New head coach Shane Steichen said he's impressed with Anthony Richardson so far. "He's come in every day attacking this thing like a pro. And we just continue to be consistent with it every single day."
  

• Chicago Bears QB Justin Fields returned to Ohio State this weekend to graduate. He earned a degree in consumer and family financial services.
  

• After a report surfaced over the weekend that the Washington Commanders looked into signing retired QB Andrew Luck in 2022, the Colts are looking into whether any tampering occurred. Owner Jim Irsay tweeted Sunday night to warn that that could be the case.
  

• Trevor Siemian is the new backup QB for the Cincinnati Bengals. When asked why he chose Cincy, he said it was the best fit for him.
  

Bengals QB Trevor Siemian on why he signed with Cincy: "I just think I just wanted to find a good fit. Somewhere I can come in and contribute. This checked all those boxes."

— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) May 8, 2023

• The New Orleans Saints picked QB Jake Haener in the fourth-round of the draft. How come? Because he reminded GM Jeff Ireland of Drew Brees. No, seriously. "I was just really impressed with the person, how he plays. He's had several fourth-quarter comebacks. He does kind of remind you or there's some similarities to No. 9."
  

• Dak Prescott has a new face in his wide receiver room in Brandin Cooks. He's looking forward to working with the former Texans receiver, and likes what he's seen of him so far. "The moment that guy showed up, just watching him in workouts and how he carries himself from drill-to-drill, what he does pre-workout and post-workout to take care of his body to have that speed."
  
  • Former Elon quarterback Matthew McKay will throw at Dallas Cowboys rookie minicamp.