Houston Gets Aggressive in NFL Draft

HOUSTON— The Houston Texans made huge moves over the weekend to get two of the best from college football during the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Texans had a rough season last year after nearly getting the top pick then winning a game at the end of the year to end up at two overall. They fired their head coach and brought in first year head coach and former 49er’s defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans to be the guy in Houston.

In his first draft, the Texans were extremely aggressive in grabbing one of the best quarterback prospects and the best defensive prospect in the draft this year. One thing that really helps the Texans move around is the DeShaun Watson trade where they received multiple first round picks from the Cleveland Browns.

The Houston Texans selected:

• C.J. Stroud- QB- Ohio State
• Will Anderson Jr.- OLB- Alabama
• Juice Scruggs- C- Penn State
• Nathaniel Dell- WR- Houston
• Dylan Horton- DE- TCU
• Henry To’oto’o- LB- Alabama
• Jarrett Patterson- C- Notre Dame
• Xaiver Hutchinson- WR- Iowa State
• Brandon Hill- S- Pittsburgh

The Carolina Panthers took Alabama quarterback Bryce Young with the first overall pick after trading with the Chicago Bears earlier in the offseason. The selection allowed Houston to take Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud at number two overall.

At third overall, the Arizona Cardinals wanted out of the selection and the Texans traded up with the Cardinals to take Alabama’s linebacker Will Anderson Jr.

So, the Texans ended up at two and three overall and drafted two of the draft’s best players.

The Texans also tried to upgrade the interior of their offensive line by adding Scruggs and Patterson, who did not allow a sack in three years at Notre Dame.

Teams will usually take a quarterback then take a receiver to help the rookie signal caller. The Texans then took two in the draft in Houston’s Nathaniel “Tank” Dell and Iowa States Xavier Hutchinson. Last season, Dell led the NCAA in receiving yards with 1,398 yards and in touchdowns with 17. Hutchinson adds size at 6’3”, which Houston really didn’t have a receiver that was over six foot on the roster.

Houston also drafted the TCU defensive end Horton, who will help Anderson on the edges of the defense. To’oto’o from Alabama brings depth to the linebacker’s room.

Hill will be a depth piece and possible special teams contributor.

Overall, in Ryan’s first year as head coach, the Texans were extremely aggressive and drafted some very good players all while holding onto one first round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.