Texans: 2023 NFL Draft Picks Recap, Analysis & Team Grades

And just like that, the 2023 NFL Draft is in the books. Per usual, it was a wild and unexpected ride, starting with all the Round 1 action. Day 2 and Day 3 delivered surprises of their own. Some teams capitalized on the opportunity, while others came up short. Let’s take a look at the 2023 NFL Draft recap, analysis, and grades for the Houston Texans. NFL Draft analysts Andrew Erickson and Thor Nystrom combine to provide their thoughts below.

NFL Draft Grades for Every Team
Thor’s Draft Grades (AFC | NFC)
NFL Draft Day 1 Winners & Losers (Day 2 | Day 3)
Fitz’s Round 1 NFL Draft Picks: Dynasty Rookie Draft Outlook (Day 2 | Day 3)
Latest Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft

2023 NFL Draft Recap, Analysis & Grades: Houston Texans

NFL Draft analysts Andrew Erickson and Thor Nystrom combine to provide their thoughts below.

Thor Nystrom’s Overview & Grades

Houston Texans | Draft Grade: C

Pick	Team	Position	Rank	Name	School	Comp
2	Texans	QB2	2	C.J. Stroud	Ohio State	Justin Herbert
3	Texans	ED1	5	Will Anderson Jr.	Alabama	Von Miller
62	Texans	OL21	244	Juice Scruggs	Penn State	Hroniss Grasu
69	Texans	WR8	80	Nathaniel Dell	Houston	Hollywood Brown
109	Texans	ED28	242	Dylan Horton	TCU	Charles Omenihu
167	Texans	LB7	107	Henry To’oTo’o	Alabama	Reuben Foster
201	Texans	OL22	257	Jarrett Patterson	Notre Dame	Ben Hamilton
205	Texans	WR24	161	Xavier Hutchinson	Iowa State	Jakobi Meyers
248	Texans	S22	278	Brandon Hill	Pitt	Delarrin Turner-Yell

The Texans stunned the draft world by taking QB CJ Stroud – who they had whispered to media sources they weren’t interested in – and then trading up for the No. 3 pick to take Will Anderson. The fireworks were only just beginning – the Texans were ludicrously active during an NFL Draft that broke the league record for most in-draft trades.

The Stroud decision was correct. And how can you quibble with Anderson as a prospect? My only question was the price the Texans paid to get up from No. 12 to get him, tossing in the No. 33 pick and 2024 first- and third-rounders for No. 3 and No. 105.

Since I think Houston is going to stink next year, that’s a risk threshold that I wouldn’t have been able to personally cross. A top-3 pick is going to be extremely valuable in the next class, with QBs Caleb Williams and Drake Maye coming.

That blockbuster was the first of five trades the Texans made during Draft Weekend.

I disagreed with Houston’s picks after Thursday, with the exceptions of WR Tank Dell and LB Henry To’oTo’o. But the Dell pick brings questions. I saw John Metchie as an NFL slot – apparently, Houston does not, since Dell is confined to the slot. But then what does Houston see WR Xavier Hutchinson as if not a manufactured-touch big slot? This team desperately needed boundary receivers. Now they’ve got more slots than a casino.

Andrew Erickson’s Overview & Grades

Would it be the edge defender, or would it be the quarterback at No. 2 overall? The question everybody wanted to be answered. And Houston couldn’t decide either…so they traded back to No. 3 to get both. The Texans are building the franchise with two foundational pieces on both sides of the ball. However, it should be noted that they paid a hefty sum – a future 2024 first that could be extremely high plus a 2024 third – to acquire Will Anderson Jr., who has a questionable ceiling. The Texans should feel great about their 1^st-round picks. But the price was steep.

On Day 2, I felt the Texans operated on the status quo. They addressed the center position with the addition of Juice Scruggs. Scruggs was a massive riser during the pre-draft process.

And they added another weapon for their new quarterback in WR Tank Dell. In Dell’s final year, he led the nation with 1,399 receiving yards and 17 receiving TDs, bettering his impressive numbers from 2021(1,328 receiving yards and 12 TDs). But the knocks on Dell are obvious. He will turn 24 years old during his rookie season, and he measures in at 5-foot-8 and 165 pounds. But his ability to separate from defenders and create space – 8th in PFF grade versus man coverage – will help him vacuum targets from Stroud. Still, there’s no doubt his size, older age entering the league, and boosted slot usage create doubt about any truly elite ceiling. Especially considering Dell’s disappointing 40-yard dash NFL Combine testing at 4.49 (56th percentile).

On Day 3, Houston went right to pass rusher with Dylan Horton. Horton’s 25% team pressure rate was identical to his new teammate Will Anderson’s at TCU per Sports Info Solutions. They also doubled down at center with Jarrett Patterson later in Day 3.

FINAL DRAFT GRADE: A-