The entire NFL universe gathered in Indianapolis within Lucas Oil Stadium for the annual NFL combine. All 32 teams had a chance to meet face to face with prospects and discuss evaluations with both the media and opposing teams.
The Houston Texans set to pick second overall in the 2023 NFL draft and is now just 10 days away from the opening of the league year on March 15. The combine has provided us with a flurry of new information about players and some ideas as to where Houston may be looking to invest their draft capital for the debut season of rookie coach DeMeco Ryans
Round 1 (No. 2 overall) — QB Bryce Young, Alabama
The Carolina Panthers trade three first round picks to pole vault the Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Las Vegas Raiders, and Atlanta Falcons and secure the first overall selection. Coach Frank Reich and quarterbacks coach Josh McCown roll the dice on Ohio State’s talented signal caller who put on an absolute passing clinic at the combine.
It leaves Houston with an easy decision at second overall and Young.
After carefully reviewing the results of the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, it’s apparent that there’s a clear #1 quarterback in the class.
— John Crumpler (@JohnHCrumpler) March 6, 2023
Ryans raved about Young at the combine and Young himself was complimentary of both his meeting with the Texans and the idea of playing again with John Metchie and Christian Harris. Young brings a pinpoint precision passer to new offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik’s offense and a feel for pressure that will naturally lend itself to extending plays and creation at the NFL level.
Young’s dominant career with the Crimson Tide checked every box except for his smaller stature at 5-10 and 204 pounds. General manager Nick Caserio needs a home run and an elite quarterback to win in today’s AFC and Young’s dominance in a pro-style offense at the college level is one that lends itself to the challenge.
Round 1 (No. 12 overall) — CB Joey Porter, Penn State
Porter was one of the NFL combine’s biggest winners this past weekend with a 40-time of 4.47 and a wingspan in the 99th percentile of NFL cornerbacks.
99th percentile arm length and wingspan for Penn State CB Joey Porter Jr. pic.twitter.com/yztvBF4ayT
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) March 3, 2023
Despite picking Derek Stingley third overall last year, here Houston stays true to the rebuild and selecting the best player available in the early stages.
Porter offers sticky man coverage ability, physicality that will translate well at the next level, and a potential to create the NFL’s next great corner duo should both he and Stingley fully translate their talents to the league. In a division that has Trevor Lawrence and an incoming rookie quarterback to Indianapolis, stocking up at one of the league’s most important positions is a win for the Texans.
Round 2 (No. 33 overall) — TE Darnell Washington, Georgia
Washington has always been one of one in this draft and his full athletic profile was on display in Indianapolis last weekend. The 6-6, 245-pound tight end showed off his speed and his power in every drill on the field and is a perfect fit for the incoming West Coast offense.
Darnell Washington pushing the sled then other TEs for reference. 😳
Some GM is gonna get an extra OL who is also fast and can catch. pic.twitter.com/lIU20evvxV
— Jon Tweets Sports (@jontweetssports) March 5, 2023
Washington’s blocking prowess should allow him to be on the field at nearly all times and open up additional opportunities for running back Dameon Pierce. His skills as a receiver have been somewhat overshadowed during his collegiate career playing alongside future top-10 pick Brock Bowers. However, in Houston he could truly excel.
His catch radius and speed would be a nightmare for safeties, linebackers, and nickel corners alike and create excellent matchups for Young to identify pre-snap and attack. It’s a dynamic that Houston’s offense has not had in a long time and a piece that has absolutely thrived in Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
It’s tempting to place a receiver at this spot, but Washington helps the Texans in both the run game and the passing game if taken by Houston.
Round 3 (No. 65 overall) — WR A.T. Perry, Wake Forest
Perry had a dominant time at the combine to compliment an incredible career at Wake Forest. His relative athletic score of 9.24 is one of the highest in the class. It was the exactly the performance he needed to compliment the 26 receiving touchdowns he gathered over the last two seasons with the Demon Deacons.
A wee bit lost in the shuffle yesterday was the day that @WakeFB WR AT Perry had.
6'3", 198 lbs with 33 1/4 arm length
35" vertical
11'1" broad jump
4.47 in the 40 with a 1.59 split
And looked fluid in drills too. He's a pro's pro in the building. Teams will love him.
— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) March 5, 2023
In Houston the 6-3 receiver will be tasked with coming in and competing with Nico Collins to serve as the primary X receiver in the new West Coast offense. His presence would mark a dedication to fixing the offensive side of the football and he’d serve as a natural receiving compliment to what Brandin Cooks and Metchie already bring to the group.
Ryans’ success will largely be dominated by whether or not Young is able to emerge as one of the NFL’s best signal callers. Finding valuable, big bodied receiving targets early is a great way to try to ensure that.
Round 3 (No. 73 overall) — LB DeMarvion Overshown, Texas
Overshown is one of the more raw linebacker prospects in the draft after starting his career with the Longhorns as a safety. However, after an impressive senior campaign and a strong combine showing he looks to be exactly the type of developmental player that Ryans would love.
DeMarvion Overshown #RAS so far.
*Splits Projected pic.twitter.com/H7h3TAFsBS— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 3, 2023
Overshown’s 4.56 40-time was slower than anticipated but his performance at the podium and a second look at the tape shows a player who is much faster than the recorded time in Indianapolis. This is about the range that Texas’ former linebacker should expect to go and likely where Houston would have to pounce if they wanted to secure his draft card.
Ryans has said himself he loves some linebackers and it’s only fair that they find one during Day 2.
