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2023 NFL Draft: Instant Analysis and Grades for Every Team’s Picks

By Sayre Bedinger

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - APRIL 27: (L-R) C.J. Stroud poses NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected second overall by the Houston Texans during the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - APRIL 27: (L-R) C.J. Stroud poses NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected second overall by the Houston Texans during the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /
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2023 NFL Draft
KANSAS CITY, MO – APRIL 27: CJ Stroud poses after being selected second overall pick by the Houston Texans during the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images) /

Houston Texans

  • 2. CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State
  • 3. Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama
  • 62. Juice Scruggs, OL, Penn State
  • 69. Tank Dell, WR, Houston
  • 109. Dylan Horton, EDGE, TCU
  • 167. Henry To’oto’o, LB, Alabama
  • 201. Jarrett Patterson, C, Notre Dame
  • 205. Xavier Hutchinson, WR, Iowa State
  • 248. Brandon Hill, S, Pittsburgh

Well, it’s safe to say that the Houston Texans made a statement with this NFL Draft class. Everyone and their dog thought this team was taking CJ Stroud with the second overall pick for the last two or three months, and then in the two weeks leading up to the NFL Draft, rumors emerged that Houston was “okay” with passing on a quarterback this year. Mock drafts shifted, odds shifted — all that.

Then the Texans took Stroud anyway, only to follow that up with a shocking move back up the board to take Will Anderson Jr. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Texans ended up getting the QB1 of this draft as well as the top non-QB. That’s how you win the NFL Draft and utilize that extra capital from the blockbuster Deshaun Watson trade.

Some of the remaining picks from Houston’s draft were head-scratchers. Some were just flat-out good. The Tank Dell pick was really well-received by just about everybody and after the Texans traded Brandin Cooks to the Cowboys, a player like that in the offense was needed. He was also considered arguably the premier punt returner in this class.

In just a couple of years since the Deshaun Watson debacle, we’ve seen GM Nick Caserio reshape and retool the roster. It was two years ago when Houston didn’t have a first or second-round pick. They had virtually no core foundation players on their roster. Now, heading into the 2023 season, thanks to some quality drafting and good use of free agent budget, Caserio has built things the right way.

The Texans have hope again for the first time in a long time. I can’t not give this draft as high of a mark as possible for the fact that I think Houston landed potentially the top QB and the top non-QB.

Grade: A+

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