The Texans stole the show in Kansas City during the 2023 NFL Draft. After a trade with the Arizona Cardinals, the Texans were able to secure two of the top prospects in the class. 

Quarterback CJ Stroud and edge defender Will Anderson Jr. should give the Texans two pieces to build around for years to come. 

After the draft, one national media outlet has big expectations for the two first-rounders in Houston.

Alex Kay of the Bleacher Report recently ran a piece on first-year projections for every first-round pick. Kay thinks Stroud will immediately step up as the franchise QB in Houston. Kay said the following about Stroud in year one:

Stroud gives the Texans the quarterback they've needed since Deshaun Watson last played for them in 2020. The Ohio State star was a realistic candidate to be the No. 1 overall pick and has nearly everything an NFL team could want in a modern signal-caller.

With pinpoint accuracy, fantastic arm strength, and the ability to deftly move outside the pocket and extend plays, Stroud significantly lifts the ceiling on Houston's offense. As a surefire starter under center, Stroud is a realistic Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate if he lives up to his predraft hype.

The Texans would certainly be thrilled if Stroud has an Offensive Rookie of the Year-caliber campaign. 

Kay believes both Stroud and Anderson could challenge for Rookie of the Year honors. Regarding Anderson, Kay said the following:

Anderson should have a similar impact on defense as a potential generational talent. The 6'3½", 253-pound edge defender finished his three-year career at Alabama with 204 tackles—including 58.5 for a loss—and 34.5 sacks. Expect him to continue obliterating offensive linemen in the NFL and tallying plenty of sacks as a rookie.

Anderson comes from the SEC, so the learning curve may not be as big. Anderson and Stroud will both start from day one, so they should have plenty of opportunities to earn ROTY honors. 

If Stroud and Anderson indeed both win ROTY, they would become just the fourth teammates to win the award in the same season. The New York Jets (Sauce Gardner & Garrett Wilson) achieved the feat just last season. 

Awards or not, the Texans finally see a light at the end of the tunnel. After several seasons of directionless football, the Texans will, at the very least, be entertaining in 2023.