The Houston Texans may be just a draft away, which is why the fact the club has two first-round picks through the 2024 draft creates such optimism about the team’s future.
According to Luke Easterling from the Draft Wire, who released a two-round mock, the Texans use their first overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft to take Alabama edge defender Will Anderson.
Even if the Texans end up with this pick, it might not be the fault of Davis Mills, who has shown promise as their potential franchise quarterback. Don’t be surprised if a defensively minded head coach like Lovie Smith opts for the best overall player in the draft, and the most dominant edge rusher in the nation.
The point has been made that if the Texans are going with an edge rusher in the first round, it means defensive end Jonathan Greenard did not live up to expectations. However, it really means something happened to Greenard in the 2022 season if Houston is investing both first-round picks in the edge defense.
With the 15th overall pick in Round 1, Houston goes with a pass rusher again as they select Notre Dame’s Isaiah Foskey.
Houston reloaded their secondary with top talent in the 2022 draft, but Lovie Smith’s defense doesn’t work if the front four can’t get consistent pressure. Double-dipping on edge rushers in the first round wouldn’t hurt, and Foskey has the well-rounded skill set to be a perfect fit opposite Anderson.
In Round 2, the Texans pick up Jermaine Burton from Georgia, which isn’t necessarily a pessimistic take on John Metchie’s prognosis as it is being realistic about Brandin Cooks, who will be 29 years old. The Texans may want to get younger at receiver before it costs them. Burton would be able to meld with the existing receiving corps and give Mills more weapons.
