The Houston Texans need a quarterback, and they have the leverage to grab their franchise signal called whenever they want in the 2023 NFL Draft.
The Houston Texans are gearing up for the 2023 NFL Draft, and they have some serious needs that they’re looking to address. With a draft capital that’s the envy of the league, the Texans are poised to make some serious moves, and fans are excited to see what they’ll do. Let’s take a closer look at what the Texans need and what they’re likely to do in the draft.
The Texans are rebuilding, but there are three key positions that they need to fill in the 2023 NFL Draft, starting with quarterback. While Davis Mills showed some promise in his rookie season, he’s far from a sure thing. And with Case Keenum and E.J. Perry as the only other options on the roster, it’s clear that the Texans need to add some serious talent at the quarterback position.
Will the Houston Texans really pass on a QB atop the 2023 NFL Draft?
The good news is, the Texans have the No. 2 overall pick, which means they’ll have a shot at one of the top prospects in the draft. C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young are the two most likely candidates, but who knows?
Wide receiver is another issue. Brandin Cooks was traded to the Cowboys. Nico Collins showed some promise in his rookie season, but he’s not yet a true No. 1 receiver. Robert Woods and Noah Brown were brought in to help, but it’s hard to see them making a massive impact.
Finally, we have edge rusher, an area where they’ve struggled in recent years, and it’s been a major weakness for the defense. Will Anderson is the most likely candidate for the Texans at the No. 2 overall pick. He’s a dominant pass rusher who would immediately improve the Texans’ defense.
Luckily, the Texans have an incredible 12 picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, including two first-round picks (No. 2 and No. 12 overall). This gives them a ton of flexibility to address their needs and make some trades. Maybe for Lamar Jackson, I digressed.
Will Anderson, Edge, Alabama
Buzz around the Houston Texans has them making Will Anderson the No. 2 overall pick. One reason is that there aren’t any teams willing to trade a haul to move into the number two spot. Another reason is the team may feel like Will Levis is their pick. So, the plan is to wait until after they take Anderson, allow the draft to play out, and possibly trade up. That’s not a good draft strategy. If they don’t believe Levis is good enough to be the No. 2 overall pick, then he’s not their quarterback. With that said, Anderson is a great prospect, who is more of a lunch pail staple in a defense given his versatility, athletic end who plays with a high motor leader of a defense.
He’s a Khalil Mack type of prospect in his ability to pad the stat sheet given his ability to drop in coverage, blitz, and play the run. We’ve seen him play inside as a defensive tackle and take on the inside shoulder of the guards. He was used all across ‘Bama’s line on loops and stunts. Anderson was a Heisman trophy favorite, but he didn’t have the privilege of just pinning his ears back and getting after the quarterback. While he doesn’t have the Bosa’s refined hand technique or power, he does have the length.
He’s a clear-cut, most ready edge rusher in this class and it’s not even close. As a Texan, he’ll have Jerry Hughes to learn from, and given his set floor and high ceiling, he’s a safe pick. Tyree Wilson could be the pick if the Texans trade down with the Colts, who will take a quarterback for sure.
Will Levis, QB. Kentucky
More than likely, the Texans will trade down if Will Levis is their guy. Levis is a physical specimen with a cannon arm and the ability to move well in the pocket. He’s had some ups and downs in his collegiate career, but his potential is sky-high. Waiting for him to fall isn’t likely though.
Levis is a bit of a wild card, but he’s got some serious strengths that make him an intriguing prospect. For starters, he’s a big-bodied quarterback who can take a hit and keep going. He’s got the arm strength to make all the throws, and he’s shown flashes of accuracy and touch on his passes. He’s also shown the ability to play in a pro-style offense, which should make him more attractive to NFL teams.
One of the best things about Levis is that he won’t be thrown into the fire right away. The Texans already have Davis Mills, who they took in the third round of the 2022 draft. Mills showed promise as a rookie, and he’ll likely be the starter in 2023. This means that Levis can sit behind Mills for a year or two, learning the ropes and refining his game. This could be just what he needs to reach his potential.
Of course, there are some concerns about Levis as well. He can be a bit slow to process information, which can lead to turnovers. He also tends to lock onto his initial passing option, which can limit his ability to make plays downfield. He’ll need to work on these things if he wants to succeed in the NFL but the ceiling is high. And he has the baseline athleticism to make up for early flaws.
Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas
In this mock, the Texans make a bold move by passing on a wideout altogether and instead selecting linebacker Drew Sanders in the second round. Here’s why.
At 6’4 235-pounds with sub 4.6 speed, Sanders has all the tools to become a dominant force at linebacker in the NFL. He’s got the fluidity and athleticism to fill gaps in the run game and cover receivers in the middle of the field. He can be stacked behind linemen or walked up on the line of scrimmage, making him a versatile player who can make an impact in a variety of ways. Head coach DeMeco Ryans knows how to develop linebackers into Pro Bowl players, as he did with Fred Warner in San Francisco.
Sanders has unique explosiveness with a lightning-quick first step that allows him to beat blockers and get to the ball carrier in a hurry. He’s also got the power to lay down some serious hits when he does make contact. And despite his size, Sanders has the length and reach to play outside of his tackle radius, making him a threat all over the field.
The former Razorback linebacker does have issues. He’ll need to develop as a run defender and work on his functional strength at the point of attack. But with his athleticism and potential, Sanders is a player worth taking a chance on.
And when you pair Sanders with the Texans’ first-round pick, Will Anderson, you’ve got the makings of a dominant defense. Anderson is a pass-rushing force who can wreak havoc in the backfield, and Sanders is a versatile linebacker who can cover the middle of the field and make plays all over the field. Together, they could form one of the better defenses in the league over the next few seasons.
Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU
Offensive Coordinator Bobby Slowik will be counting on quick passes to get the ball out of the quarterback’s hands. Boutte has the ability to run after the catch will be invaluable in these situations. The Texans are expected to run the ball a lot and use play-action passes to stretch the field, making Boutte the ideal candidate to help execute this strategy.
One of Boutte’s best traits is his ability to run after the catch, and LSU used him in various ways to get him the ball. Whether he was lined up as an outside receiver to catch a quick screen or in the slot to get free releases, Boutte showed that he could be elusive and use his speed to turn a short pass into an explosive play.
Another plus trait for Boutte is his speed, making him a vertical threat receiver who can run past defensive backs with ease. His ability to threaten defensive backs vertically also allows him to run other routes, such as curls, hitches, and comebacks, and make himself available to the quarterback.
The biggest issue with Boutte is his release when lined up as an outside receiver. And he doesn’t have the largest catch radius. Boutte also has a tendency to lose focus of the football at times, resulting in drops that could cost his team valuable yards.
Slowik has already proven that he can dial up plays for a player with a similar skill set during his time with the 49ers in Brandon Aiyuk, and Boutte’s natural abilities make him a solid choice to fill that role. Standing at 5’11” and weighing 195 lbs, Boutte is an inch shorter and five pounds lighter than Aiyuk, but they have similar play styles. Boutte is Day 2 prospect the Texans should target.
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.
Keidron Smith, CB, Kentucky
The Houston Texans shore up their defense in the 2023 NFL Draft, by dipping into the Kentucky draft pool one more time with Keidron Smith.
One of Smith’s most notable attributes is his versatility. He is comfortable playing in both press and off-man coverages, making him a valuable asset to any defensive system. Smith’s size and arm length also allows him to battle effectively at the catch point, which could prove crucial in high-pressure situations.
Smith’s experience playing in the SEC has also helped him develop his vision and processing skills, enabling him to read the receiver’s route patterns and the quarterback’s eyes simultaneously. This, in turn, allows him to make a jump on the football and disrupt the play before it has a chance to develop.
Despite his impressive skill set, there are areas where Smith could improve. For instance, he may struggle to stay in phase against explosive deep-threat receivers. His lack of transitional hip stiffness can create labored movements when he needs to change directions quickly, which could make him vulnerable to quick-twitch-moving wide receivers.
That said, Smith’s size and build make him an ideal outside cornerback for an NFL team. He can match up well in man coverage against bigger-bodied, possession-style receivers, and even tight ends. His strengths make him an excellent running mate for Devin Stingley, and he could play a pivotal role in a defense coached by DeMeco Ryans.