HOUSTON -- DeMeco Ryans left his first draft as a head coach feeling optimistic.
For starters, Ryans believed the Houston Texans had just landed "two staples" to build their roster around.
First, they selected quarterback C.J. Stroud with the No. 2 pick and then they surprised the draft world when they traded up to the third pick and selected defensive end Will Anderson Jr.
"When I knew we had the ability to trade and get Will [along with] C.J., it was 'OK, it's on,'" Ryans told ESPN. "You don't always get the top guys that you want.