The 2023 NFL Draft is now behind us. While we know where the top prospects ended up, we do not know what impact they will have. 

Some positions have an easier time transitioning to the NFL than others. The Athletic NFL staff recently released their picks (subscription required) for which rookie will have the biggest impact for each team. 

The choice for the Texans might be surprising to some. 

Houston Texans writer Mike Jones selected Will Anderson Jr. to be the most impactful rookie for the Texans. Anderson was selected No. 3 overall in the draft after the Texans traded up with the Arizona Cardinals. 

The Anderson selection came after the team selected Ohio State star quarterback CJ Stroud. Jones referenced the learning curve that is often faced by rookie QBs and the plug-and-play nature of Anderson's game. Jones said the following:

As the quarterback, C.J. Stroud will no doubt have a huge impact (whether positively or negatively), but it’s just hard to know what kind of learning curve he will face, so it could take a little time. The player who should have an immediate impact, however, is Houston’s other first-round pick, Will Anderson Jr., who racked up 34.5 sacks and 62 tackles for a loss at Alabama and twice won the Bronko Nagurski Award as the top defensive player in the nation. DeMeco Ryans will have a ball positioning this young linebacker for success from Day 1.

Anderson should start at one of the defensive end spots immediatley and could immediately be a force. The talented edge rusher out of Alabama was not only a sack artist but one of the most gifted run stoppers in the nation. 

The Texans had the worst run defense in the league in 2022, so Anderson's presence could easily make a major impact.