AFC South Draft Grades

Houston Texans

Draft Grade: A-

Much will be made of the Texans 2023 draft as it could change the tide of the organization, or spell the end of Nick Caserio in Houston. I was a huge fan of drafting Ohio State QB CJ Stroud (my QB2) and then trading up to nab the best overall player in the draft in Alabama DE Will Anderson. Getting needle movers on both sides of the ball can help change the narrative around Houston. Both will come in and be immediate culture changers.

They looked to bulk up the interior of the offensive line with Penn State C Juice Scruggs (2nd round), and, Notre Dame IOL Jarrett Patterson who both have interior flexibility. CJ Stoud personally asked for one of the two wide receivers they drafted; Tank Dell out of Houston in the third round and they added Xavier Hutchinson from Iowa State in the sixth. I’m excited to see the look of the Texans’ offense this season.

They didn’t ignore the defense after Anderson either adding TCU DE Dylan Horton in the fourth round. A young, raw player who was asked to rush the passer in many different spots while at TCU. They also brought in Alabama LB Henry To’oTo’o in the fifth, who was the green dot at Alabama, and finally Brandon Hill a safety from Pittsburgh to round out their draft. The defensive side outside of Anderson might be more special teams players early, but Houston really put their chips out there with the moves they made at the top. We’ll see if they pay off.

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