The 2023 NFL draft starts April 27.
The three-day event provides an opportunity for the Houston Texans to add critical pieces that could potentially complete the rebuild and have the moribund franchise competitive, even in the first season under rookie coach DeMeco Ryans.
The Texans have 12 picks overall. The first round will be fascinating for Clutch City sports fans as Houston possesses two Round 1 selections at Nos. 2 and 12 overall. The Texans can grab their franchise quarterback and also another playmaker.
General manager Nick Caserio met with the media at NRG Stadium April 17 to field questions about the state of the organization heading into the draft. Here are some takeaways from Caserio’s availability.
Caserio tried to flush departure rumor
Caserio took time in his opening remarks to address the swirling rumor that he will be gone after the 2023 NFL draft.
“Unfortunately, I think this time of year, there’s a lot of information and a lot of topics that are discussed,” Caserio said. “Some are more accurate than others, and I think it transcends multiple landscapes. But I’m honestly almost embarrassed that I have to say anything, but I feel like I have an obligation to make that statement to stay ahead of it. Really I don’t think there is anything else to talk about or say or any question about it.”
Not only did Caserio draw attention to the rumor in his opening remarks rather than wait for the reporters to ask him, but he fielded an additional question on the matter and later referenced it near the end of his presser.
Caserio likes the Texans' options
The Texans have 12 picks overall with two first-rounders. Their second-round selection is also the second of that round, and with the Miami Dolphins forfeiting their first-round selection, Houston’s No. 33 overall pick is precipitously close to dipping back into Round 1.
“I think we’ve created some optionality in a multitude of ways,” said Caserio. “So, we’re fairly well positioned in the first, what was it, four or five picks in the first 75. Then, we have a pick at the top of the fourth round actually. It’s a pretty valuable pick. So, I’d say between that grouping of picks where we’re positioned, there probably be some movement up or down throughout the draft.”
Caserio is not focused on the Carolina Panthers
The Texans were the highest-ranked team in the draft order that needed a quarterback — at least until the Panthers traded with the Chicago Bears for No. 1 overall. No matter what the Texans will be picking what Carolina doesn’t like as the equally quarterback-needy team has the first shot at the quarterback class.
Caserio maintained that the Texans just needed to be ready to pick and not be concerned with what Carolina is doing.
“We really can’t control what other teams do,” said Caserio. “I mean, every team is going to do what they think is best. Our job is to understand the players, understand the board, try to make good decisions, and we pick wherever we pick. So, we pick at two. If we don’t pick at two and we pick somewhere else, then we just have to be prepared to pick accordingly.”
Caserio emphasized commonality with DeMeco Ryans
Caserio was asked how he and Ryans look at the quarterback position, and the general manager answered it from a macro level rather than getting into specifics.
“We have a lot in common in terms of how we view players, how we see a football team, the things that we deem important, and I don’t want to say we talk daily, but we talk daily just about on all those matters,” said Caserio. “Again, I’ve enjoyed my time with him in the short period of time. I mean, I can’t speak highly enough of him as a person, as a football coach, his perspective, his viewpoint, kind of what he brings to the table. I think he has solidified kind of what we thought going through the hiring process, and we’re excited to kind of build this together.”
