The Houston Texans’ 2021 NFL draft class was paltry, and didn’t get started until the No. 67 overall pick in Round 3. The fact Houston earned C’s from general manager Nick Caserio’s first draft is understandable.
However, the Texans may have nailed their five picks after a one-year reassessment. Quarterback Davis Mills, receiver Nico Collins, tight end Brevin Jordan, linebacker Garret Wallow, and defensive tackle Roy Lopez may be better than initially realized.
According to Michael Renner from Pro Football Focus, the Texans’ 2021 class upgraded from a C-minus in their evaluations to a B-minus.
The Davis Mills pick saves the Texans to a degree, as he flashed in enough games that he’d go considerably higher in a re-draft today. He earned overall grades of 85.9, 76.3 and 78.0 in three separate starts last season despite finishing with a 58.8 overall grade. That was enough to make him the starter this season and bump this re-grade up a touch.
While the Mills’ pick may have saved the Texans’ grade, Lopez deserves credit. For Houston to take a sixth-round pick and he starts 15 of 16 games on the defensive line is a testament to what type of value the Texans found in Lopez.
The general agreement is the Texans at least had a B-plus grade when it came to the 2022 NFL draft class. If the Texans can similarly improve the grade of that draft class by a full grade point, then Houston should be primed to contend by the start of the 2023 season.
