The Houston Texans are more than likely going with a quarterback at No. 2 overall in the 2023 NFL draft. What happens at No. 12 overall is the biggest guess for Round 1.
According to Mel Kiper from ESPN, the Texans miss out on drafting Bryce Young as the Carolina Panthers take the Alabama signal caller to start off the draft. Houston doesn’t get cute with best player available, but instead goes with next best quarterback in Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud.
At No. 12 overall — obtained via 2022 offseason trade with the Cleveland Browns — the Texans pair up Stroud with one of his former college teammates in receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
This is the Texans’ chance to take their pick of the wide receivers in this class, and we know Smith-Njigba can be a star with C.J. Stroud throwing him passes. What’s not to like about this combo? Smith-Njigba has No. 1 wideout potential, but he’s coming off a lost season because of a hamstring injury — he caught five passes and ran 42 routes during the entire 2022 campaign. He showed he was healthy at the combine, and I feel comfortable putting him in this range in Round 1. Houston has to add more talented pass-catchers. If it decides on another position, keep an eye on defensive line.
The Texans would instantly have a passing duo that was a prolific and college and would engender confidence as to what could happen at the pro level. Factor in existing wideouts in Robert Woods, Nico Collins, Amari Rodgers, and John Metchie, and the Texans would have a stable corps for Stroud to work with.
Houston does take care of the defensive line in Round 2 as the Texans select Kansas State defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah. Adding the former Wildcat would give new coach DeMeco Ryans an edge rusher who can grow into being a war daddy for his defense.
