Texans 2023 Draft Analysis Compilation

Brandon Hill didn’t fit, so his analysis is in the comments!

Round 1, Pick 2 – C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State:

NFL: This pick always made sense for the Texans. Stroud might be the best quarterback from this class when we look back in three years. He checks all the boxes as a prototypical passer and is a natural thrower with timing, touch and anticipation who carved up the best defenses in college football, week in and week out.

CBS Sports: B. They had to take the shot at the quarterback, so it’s the smart thing to do. I would have taken Will Levis, but I get it. Stroud has the ability to become a good starting quarterback.

ESPN: The Texans couldn't afford to pass on a quarterback. Stroud was a Heisman finalist in 2021 and 2022, leading Ohio State to the College Football Playoffs in 2022. In two years as a starter at Ohio State, he threw for 8,123 yards and 85 touchdowns with 12 interceptions.

Round 1, Pick 3 – Will Anderson Jr., DE, Alabama:

NFL: First-year head coach DeMeco Ryans is trying to replicate what he had in San Francisco with a defensive front that dominated at the point of attack. He now has his version of Nick Bosa in Anderson, who has the power, instincts and sack production to thrive at the next level and is a technical marvel when it comes to pass rushing.

CBS Sports: B-. They gave up a ton to get him. He better be Von Miller. I don’t think he is that. He’s a good player, but is he dynamic? No. He doesn’t seem like a great fit in their scheme.

ESPN: Anderson is a disruptive pass rusher. The 6-foot-3 defensive end finished with 58.5 tackles for loss, 34.5 sacks and 204 tackles during his three-year college career. Those numbers are why he was a two-time All-American and two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year. Anderson should be able to help a Texans defense that ranked 27th in points allowed (24.7) and 30th in total defense (379.5) last season.

Round 2, Pick 62 – Juice Scruggs, C, Penn State:

NFL: Back-to-back Nittany Lions — and this one surprises us. Yes, it's a thin year for centers, and two have gone off the board already. But we envisioned Scruggs as a Day 3 pick given his average athleticism and concerning injury history. But his length and smarts give him a chance to make the pick respectable.

CBS Sports: C+. Battler on the insider. He’s a wall-off blocker, not a one-on-one masher. Tested more athletically than he plays. Plenty of experience. Solid combo blocker. Does have starter upside and not brutal in any area but doesn’t have a specialty.

ESPN: The Texans needed to add depth to the center position. Their incumbent starter Scott Quessenberry had a pass block win rate of 86.8% last season, which ranked 40th among centers. In addition, Quessenberry had a run block win rate of 66.2% (36th). Scruggs was a two-year starter at Penn State and displayed versatility as he played center and guard.

Round 3, Pick 69 – Nathaniel Dell, WR, Houston:

NFL: It's going to be interesting to see how the Texans utilize their slew of complementary receivers with C.J. Stroud. Dell's diminutive frame took him out of contention for a few teams, but he's as quick as a hiccup and a real chore to match up in the slot. He's also a quality return candidate.

CBS Sports: B-. Tiny, ultra-twitchy, productive wideout who runs sharp routes and is a fun but not otherworldly WR after the catch. Serious Diontae Johnson vibes. I’m all for loading up at WR for C.J. Stroud.

ESPN: Dell is undersized at 5-8 and 165 pounds, but he's an explosive receiver and was highly productive in his last year in college. In 2022, Dell led the NCAA in receiving yards (1,398) and touchdowns (17). He was also second in receptions (109). The Texans got their potential quarterback of the future in Stroud, and now they're bringing in a much-needed playmaker to the receiving corps.

Round 4, Pick 109 – Dylan Horton, DE, TCU:

NFL: The thickly built Horton emerged last season and had a big performance vs. Michigan in the College Football Playoffs. He's a power end who will help Houston up front.

CBS Sports: C+. Very tough evaluation because he played in three-man sets almost exclusively in 2022. Long limbs and big-time hustle player. Better against the run than anything else. Hand work is lacking.

ESPN: The Texans added more talent and depth to their defensive line, which needed more youthful infusion since three projected contributors, Jerry Hughes, Maliek Collins and Sheldon Rankins, are 28 or older. Horton was the 16th-ranked defensive end on ESPN's Todd McShay's big board. In 2022, Horton had 10.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, four pass deflections and a forced fumble. Horton and Anderson could become building blocks for Ryans' defensive line, where the scheme focuses on edge players rushing upfield.

Round 5, Pick 167 – Henry To’oTo’o, LB, Alabama:

NFL: To'oTo'o possesses some terrific intangibles in a smaller-framed linebacker. If he was two inches taller and 25 pounds heavier, he might have been a top-100 pick.

CBS Sports: D+. Smaller but feisty between-the-tackles striker. Coverage woes and tackling inconsistency sunk his stock.

ESPN: To'oto'o is another former Alabama defender joining the Texans, having played with Anderson and Harris during his past two seasons. To'oto'o started his career at Tennessee, where he played two seasons before transferring to Alabama, where he had 205 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. To'oto'o will add depth to the Texans' linebacker room that Christian Kirksey, Perryman, Littleton, and Harris lead.

Round 6, Pick 201 – Jarrett Patterson, C, Notre Dame:

NFL: A college center who appears to be a three-position backup on the inside, Patterson must overcome unusual dimensions and a fairly lengthy injury history but has the smarts and toughness to make it.

CBS Sports: B-. Versatile guard-center with flashes of athleticism but not an exceptional athlete. Lack of balance really stands out on film. Lower grip strength and not overly powerful. Understands angles and positioning well.

ESPN: The Texans add more depth and competition to the offensive interior line with Patterson, who showed versatility during his collegiate career by playing guard and center. In 2022, Patterson helped anchor an offensive line that paved the way for a rushing attack that ranked 32nd in rushing yards per game (189.0). His most impressive feat was not allowing a sack as a three-year college starter.

Round 6, Pick 205 – Xavier Hutchinson, WR, Iowa State:

NFL: Following a solid showing at the Reese's Senior Bowl, Hutchinson appeared to be more of a fourth-round prospect — as he's similar to Jakobi Meyers in some respects — but appears to be a solid sleeper for the Texans, who need WR help.

CBS Sports: A-. Was the obvious No. 1 at Iowa State this season and thrived despite the attention. Well-rounded more so than someone with a specialty. Rebounder type in the red zone and for being a bigger wideout, he’s fun after the catch.

ESPN: Drafting Hutchinson is taking a swing on a productive college player as he had 2,929 yards and 15 touchdowns in his three-year career at Iowa State. The 6-foot-3 receiver adds more size to the Texans receiver room, which only had three receivers above 6-foot-1.