The Houston Texans are in a fortunate situation in the 2023 NFL draft.
Most teams have at least seven picks spread throughout all seven rounds of the three-day event. The Texans have six picks in the top-103 — representing two Day 1 picks, three Day 2 selections, and then a fourth-rounder to kickoff Day 3.
According to Luke Easterling from the Draft Wire, the Texans use their Round 1 picks to elevate their passing game. At No. 2 overall, Houston takes Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud after the Indianapolis Colts worked out a deal with the Chicago Bears for Alabama’s Bryce Young at No. 1 overall.
While it would hurt to see the Colts jump them for Young, Stroud is anything but a consolation prize. He’s the only other quarterback in this class with the polish to be a Week 1 starter, and he could easily make a strong case to be the first one off the board. DeMeco Ryans gets his franchise passer to build around for the present and future.
In Round 2, Houston uses their No. 33 overall selection to take Clemson linebacker Trenton Simpson. Adding Simpson to a linebacking corps that already includes Christian Harris and Garret Wallow would give the unit speed and coverage abilities.
In Round 3 at No. 65 overall, the Texans grab Iowa State defensive end Will McDonald along with USC defensive tackle Tuli Tuipulotu at No. 73 overall — another selection from the 2022 offseason exchange with Cleveland. The trenches would be adequately addressed as the Texans have young talent for new coach DeMeco Ryans’ scheme.
