Houston Texans mock draft: Will they really pass on a QB at no. 2?

Dylan Horton, Edge, TCU

Ranking 31st in total defense means it’s room for significant improvements on the defensive side of the ball. Doubling down on defensive end in the 2023 NFL Draft may be the solution. Texans don’t need to look far to find a guy who played college ball in Texas in Dylan Horton.

Horton is a versatile defensive end prospect with a prototypical build for an edge player in the NFL. He has the size and length necessary to align in multiple positions along the defensive front. He can work as a rotational/situational rusher early.

Against the run, Horton is violent at the point of attack, using his hands and showing the ability to consistently shed offensive linemen off of him. He is a high-motor, high-effort player who is willing to put his body in unorthodox situations to make a play. Horton is a plus-level athlete who also has the ability to chase plays down from the backside or track ball carriers down 10-20 yards down the field to make a tackle.

As a pass rusher, Horton has all the physical tools necessary to be productive at the next level. He has a quick first step, which he uses to quickly gain leverage on offensive linemen when he wants to win with a speed rush around the edge to get to the quarterback. However, there were multiple instances where his initial move didn’t work, and he didn’t appear to have a counter move to continue his rush for the duration of the play. With some development in his pass-rush repertoire, Horton could become a more productive pass rusher.