Houston Texans 2023 NFL Draft Analysis From The College Football Perspective

Houston Texans 2023 NFL Draft Analysis

Houston Texans 2023 NFL Draft Analysis: Draft Picks

@ColFootballNews | @PeteFiutak
- Top 32 Prospects for 2024

1 2 (2) QB CJ Stroud, Ohio State
1 3 (3) LB Will Anderson, Alabama
2 31 (62) C Juice Scruggs, Penn State
3 6 (69) WR Nathaniel Dell, Houston
4 7 (109) DE Dylan Horton, TCU
5 32 (167) LB Henry To’o To’o, Alabama
6 24 (201) C Jarrett Patterson , Notre Dame
6 28 (205) WR Xavier Hutchinson, Iowa State
7 31 (248) S Brandon Hill, Pitt

- It's a wonderful draft for two reasons. First, it's always a good thing to have lots of picks to take fliers and get bulk talent for various spots, and second, if you have a shot to get a possible superstar, you do it. Houston got two of them.

It seems like it always wanted Will Anderson - head coach Demeco Ryans certainly knows what he's getting in Alabama defensive players - but it also needed a quarterback. With the move up to the 3 to go along with the 2, that paved the way for CJ Stroud knowing the pass rusher was coming next in the trade with the Cardinals.

- The Texans got insane value just about everywhere. Brandon Hill in the seventh? He probably should've gone late fourth, early fifth. Jarrett Patterson? That's a likely starting center in the sixth, or he's a starting guard if Juice Scruggs works out. Henry To'o To'o? That's your possible leading tackler in the fifth. Nathaniel Dell in the third? That's your home run hitter at a cheap price. But, of course ...

- This is all about CJ Stroud. Anderson is Anderson - he's everyone's top three prospect - but Stroud is a call. The history of quarterbacks at the second overall pick is absolutely abysmal - outside of Donovan McNabb it's historically disastrous - and until Justin Fields gets the passing game going, Ohio State quarterbacks have yet to blow up in the NFL. 

The Texans could've had Anthony Richardson, or they apparently could've waited to get Will Levis later or even Hendon Hooker. There's no beef whatsoever with the Stroud pick, but if it doesn't work this draft is a bust just because he has to be a franchise quarterback. As is, though, this was one the strongest overall drafts of the 2023 season, if not the best.

Best Value Pick: LB Henry To’o To’o, Alabama (5th)

Biggest Reach: DE Dylan Horton, TCU (4th)

Late Flier That Could Work: WR Xavier Hutchinson, Iowa State (7th)

2023 NFL Draft Score (out of 10): 10

2024 NFL Draft Top 15 Prospect Rankings
QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | OG & C
Edge | DT | LB | Safeties | CB | Top 32