Matt Miller’s seven round picks for the Texans

1. Houston Texans

Will Anderson Jr., DE, Alabama

When filling out a mock draft, you try to balance intel with logic. The intel surrounding this pick says that the Texans will select Anderson. In fact, one team source told me the only player the Texans met with twice during the pre-draft process was the Alabama edge rusher. But the current quarterback depth chart features Davis Mills and Case Keenum, and you would think the Texans would be all-in on the most important position in sports. Ohio State's C.J. Stroud was arguably the best QB in college football the past two seasons and operates beautifully from the pocket.

But again, mocks are based on what we're hearing and not what we would do if we were making the picks ourselves. If the Panthers don't take Young, I expect Houston would go QB. Otherwise, Anderson would be an immediate help on a defense looking for playmakers off the edge.

1. Houston Texans (from CLE)

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State

The Texans have made additions at wide receiver (Robert Woods, Noah Brown) but still lack a true WR1. Smith-Njigba missed most of the 2022 season with a hamstring injury, but the last time we saw him healthy, he was setting records in the Rose Bowl after the 2021 season. The Texans' need at receiver meets perfect value. Smith-Njigba — my WR1 and No. 5 overall player — has rare short-area quickness, burst and body control. Sources at Ohio State routinely say JSN has the tools to be as good or better than former teammates Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson, two players who went over 1,000 yards in their rookie seasons.

1. Houston Texans

Drew Sanders, ILB, Arkansas

Rarely do you find middle linebacker prospects coming off a 9.5-sack season, but that's the case with Sanders, a transfer from Alabama. Watching him in an early-September practice last year, I was blown away by his sheer size (6-4, 235 pounds) and mobility in space. Coach DeMeco Ryans — a pretty good linebacker in his own right — would have a field day scheming up ways to get Sanders involved against the run and passing games.

1. Houston Texans

Jaren Hall, QB, BYU

The Texans passed on quarterbacks in the first two rounds, but they can take a flier on a developmental prospect who fits Bobby Slowik's scheme. Hall is an older prospect (25) but has good arm strength, mobility and processing speed.

1. Houston Texans (from CLE)

Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah

The Texans drafted Derek Stingley Jr. and Jalen Pitre last year, but adding a certified menace at slot corner is a must for DeMeco Ryans' scheme. Phillips had six interceptions last season.

1. Houston Texans: Luke Schoonmaker, TE, Michigan

2. Houston Texans (from DAL): Tyler Lacy, DT, Oklahoma State

3. Houston Texans (from NO): Jordan McFadden, G, Clemson

4. Houston Texans (from MIN): Sean Tucker, RB, Syracuse

5. Houston Texans (from NYG): Alex Forsyth, C, Oregon

6. Houston Texans (from NYJ/TB): John Ojukwu, OT, Boise State

7. Houston Texans*: Jacob Slade, DT, Michigan State