The last day of the mandatory minicamp signals the last day of the Texans’ offseason program, so it’s a good time to check in on the progress made by two rookies – quarterback C.J. Stroud and defensive end Will Anderson Jr., the second and third overall picks in the draft.
Stroud and Anderson, among the most talented prospects the Texans have drafted, should be first-game starters when they join coach DeMeco Ryans in making their NFL debuts at Baltimore.
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Ryans has handled Stroud’s first offseason program differently than Carolina coach Frank Reich has handled quarterback Bryce Young, the first overall pick who already has been anointed as the Panthers’ starter. Working with first-year offensive coordinator and play-caller Bobby Slowik, Stroud has shared first-team reps with returning starter Davis Mills, but everyone knows at some point in training camp that begins in late July, Stroud will be designated as the starter.
Anderson, the highest-rated defensive player in the draft, is expected to be so good in his first season that he’s favored to be voted NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Because of the nature of the positions, Anderson should have a much easier transition than Stroud. It’s inevitable rookie quarterbacks are going to experience growing pains.
If Stroud and Anderson were being graded at this early point of their development, both would get an A on his report card.
After the first practice at minicamp, Ryans was asked about Stroud working with the starters and Mills playing behind him.
“Both of our guys have been rotating each week,” he said. “At practice, we've rotated those guys each week. (Today) just happened to be the week C.J. was with the ones.”
Ryans wants to see Stroud be aggressive when he’s attacking the defense.
“With the quarterback, it's all about confidence, right?” he said. “We want him to rip it. If you see it, go through your progression. If you see it, make it happen. We understand every ball’s not going to be perfect. You’re not going to protect it all the time. I never want our quarterback playing afraid to make a mistake. I want everybody playing to their maximum potential and attacking everything we do.”
Ryans wouldn’t say when he expects to name a starter. He wouldn’t admit it’s when and not if Stroud secures the starting job, but everyone knows it.
“We'll see where their process goes in training camp,” he said. “As the competition continues to grow, we'll see who separates (himself). That decision will take care of itself.”
New receiver Noah Brown, who signed as an unrestricted free agent from Dallas, played at Ohio State before Stroud. He played six years with the Cowboys and quarterback Dak Prescott.
“They're both great quarterbacks,” Brown said. “Great arm talent. I think it's a little bit early to compare a rookie to somebody like Dak. That's a great class to be in. I think he has all the potential to live up to that, maybe even surpass it. I'm rooting for C.J. and I’m willing to have his back on anything.
“I'm not going to lie to you and act like I watched every Ohio State game since I've been in the league (but) the little bit of time I've been here working with him, he's picked up the offense fast, taken ownership of his reps. I think that can only lead to positive things.”
It seems like Anderson has done nothing but positive things since he arrived for the offseason program. As a head coach, Ryans likes quarterbacks. As a linebacker with a 10-year playing career and a former defensive coordinator, he loves pass rushers like Anderson, who has the tools to become the second-best pass rusher in team history behind J.J. Watt.
“Will has been great throughout camp,” Ryans said. “One thing about Will, he's been the same guy we thought we were getting when we drafted him. When it comes to just the effort, the tenacity that he plays with, the energy -- everything about him -- he's been that and more.”
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First-year defensive coordinator Matt Burke has the luxury of molding Anderson into the kind of game-changer he’s expected to be. Anderson continues to impress all of his coaches, especially Ryans.
“Will has gotten better every day,” Ryans said. “He takes coaching really well. (Defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire) has done a good job of working with him, honing in on those small details. Will has done a great job of absorbing coaching and being able to take it to the field and apply it.”
Anderson listens to and learns from defensive end Jerry Hughes, who’s entering his 14th season and turning 35 in August.
Asked what he thinks about Anderson, Hughes said, “Just (a) smart, tough, physical guy. That's something you really love to see early on when you have to pull him back versus encouraging him to kind of be aggressive, trying to get him to use different techniques. He's here early, getting with all the coaches. That's what you want to see from a young player, someone who’s eager to learn and doing all the right things early on.”
Kind of like Hughes in 2010 when he was a first-round pick by Indianapolis. When Hughes talks, Anderson becomes a sponge.
“His intelligence,” Hughes said when asked what stands out about Anderson. “Just how smart he is as a young guy. Not afraid to sit in the front of the classroom, ask questions, be repetitive so he can make sure he understands what the coaches are asking him to do.
“I think that’s the key. He has all of the physical tools to be a freak of nature and wreak havoc for four quarters. But now, when you’re at this level, it's about mental, how can you attack opponents, how can you keep them guessing what you're doing. Some of the best players in this league (are) when people can’t get a read on what you're getting ready to do.”
Second-year linebacker Christian Harris played with Anderson at Alabama. Anderson made an immediate impression on him.
“I really noticed this since Day One at Alabama – he’s just a dog, and he cares,” Harris said.
And players like Anderson and Stroud are helping make Texans’ fans care more about their team and the very real possibility they could show substantial improvement in Ryans’ first season.
John McClain can be heard Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday on SportsRadio 610 and Thursday on Texans Radio. He writes three columns a week and does two Houtopia Football Podcasts for SportsRadio610.com.