The Houston Texans produced a nine-player class following the 2023 NFL draft.
The Texans used their 12 selections entering the three-day event to build packages to move up, move back, borrow from the future, give back to the future, and otherwise allow general manager Nick Caserio to wheel and deal to cultivate a group of rookies who could put the final touches on the rebuild.
According to Mel Kiper from ESPN, the Texans earned a B for their class. There was some praise given for selecting Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud, but there was also some skepticism about giving up so much draft capital to take Alabama defensive end Will Anderson.
The first round wasn’t the only area where Kiper thought the Texans reached. Taking Penn State center Juice Scruggs in Round 2 was also puzzling to Kiper.
On Day 2, Houston reached significantly — and traded up to do so — for center Juice Scruggs, though I’m a fan of wideout/returner Tank Dell and what he could bring to this offseason. Give Dell the ball in space and let him score touchdowns. On Day 3, Houston added back a 2024 third-rounder in a deal with Philadelphia, which was a nice move. I also think linebacker Henry To’oTo’o (167) and wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson (205) could be solid finds.
This is another class that will hinge on what happens with the quarterback. And though I didn’t love giving up the future draft capital, I do think Anderson has All-Pro potential. That’s why I’ll leave this as a B.
If Anderson at all lives up to his All-Pro potential while Stroud meets expectations as quarterback, Caserio and the Texans will earn laudatory remarks for taking a huge chance to upgrade the defense.
