(SportsRadio 610) - When dust from the 2023 NFL draft had finally settled, the Texans came away with nine players after entering the most pivotal draft in franchise history with 12 selections ahead of Thursday night’s first round festivities.
While Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce sent a buzz throughout the city of Kansas City, showing off the Lombardi trophy one more time after capturing their second Super Bowl title in four seasons this past February, the Texans were about to send shockwaves throughout their own fan base.
After countless reports and leaks in the previous weeks and months leading up to the Texans selecting No. 2 overall, which left fans confused and riddled with excitement and anticipation, the organization made CJ Stroud their newest QB 1.
While that was certainly a massive decision and the most important one to date, the Texans moved swiftly and sent an aggressive offer to the Arizona Cardinals to move up nine spots, from 12th to No. 3 overall to select former Alabama star Will Anderson.
Those two picks on Friday night set the tone for the franchise, which addressed the two of the biggest positions of need heading into the offseason.
Below is a look at the entire draft class compiled by third-year general manager Nick Caserio, which took eight trades with five different organizations.
NOTE: 7 of the 9 players drafted by the Texans were team captains for their respective college teams: CJ Stroud (Ohio State), Will Anderson (Alabama), Juice Scruggs (Penn State), Tank Dell (Houston), Dylan Horton (TCU), Jarrett Patterson (Notre Dame), Xavier Hutchinson (Ohio State).
Round 1: No. 2 – CJ Stroud, 6’3, 214 pounds, QB, Ohio State
The former Ohio State star was drafted to become the franchise quarterback. Whether he turns out to be just that remains to be seen. Texans GM Nick Caserio says he “has a long way to go.”
However, it feels like the Texans will give him time to develop. If he does turn into the player they hope he can be, one which would solve the organization's 22-year-old riddle to find and keep a top tier quarterback, it would be the first time in NFL history that a black “franchise” quarterback and black head coach have co-existed on the same team for longer than two seasons.
Round 1: No. 3 (from ARI) – Will Anderson Jr., 6’4, 253 pounds, LB, Alabama
The SEC’s sack leader the past two seasons is the easy pick amongst the Texans 2023 draft class to have a 10+ year career, but as Caserio said following his aggressive play to move up nine spots to nab Anderson at No. 3 overall, it’s a “50-50 proposition” that any prospect pans out.
For the Texans and Caserio who spent valuable future draft capital on the former Alabama star (2024 1st & 3rd round picks) Anderson has to perform. He seems to be the perfect fit for a DeMeco Ryans defense that is bringing in a guy they feel has a similar mindset to the former Texans star linebacker and one who was arguably the best overall player available in this years draft.
Round 2: No. 62 (from PHI) – Juice Scruggs, 6’3, 301 pounds, C/G, Penn State
The versatile offensive lineman has the opportunity to start right away as his size and lateral quickness seems to fit perfectly for the scheme new offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik wants to employ.
Scruggs fits the Texans perfectly for the type of human they want in the building. One that has overcome personal struggle. Scruggs was involved in a near fatal car accident in 2019 in which he was thrown from the vehicle.
He was one of the top players at his position entering the draft, and like most players in his draft class, the Texans valued him enough to trade up three spots to take the dependable hulk of a lineman.
Round 3: No. 69. (from LAR) – Tank Dell, WR/KR/PR, 5’8, 165 pounds, Houston
The electric former Univeristy of Houston receiver gets to stay in town and compete for his hometown team. Dell, led all FBS programs in receiving yards (1,398) in 2022, was also first in touchdowns (17) and second in receptions (109).
The ability Dell possesses to make cornerbacks look downright foolish. Caserio mentioned Dell standing out at the Senior Bowl because “Frankly, nobody covered him. He's small. Like, yeah, he's small, but I would say good football players come in a lot of shapes and sizes. He's proof positive of that.”
Caserio knows a thing or two about being around smaller receivers that weren’t necessarily highly regarded initially because of their size like, Danny Amendola, Danny Woodhead, Kevin Faulk and Wes Welker.
A native of Frisco, Texas, Horton finished eighth in the FBS with 10.5 sacks, led the Horned Frogs with 15 TFL’s in 15 games during the 2022 season and was also recognized as an honorable mention all-conference player.
One of the most impressive things I read about Horton was the fact that he put on 50 pounds during his time at TCU. That being about a third of my body weight, I don’t think I could put 50 pounds on in the next five years.
Round 5: No. 167 (from LAR) – Henry To’oTo’o, 6’1, 227 pounds, LB, Alabama
The Texans added another former Alabama player to the roster.
The linebacker joins former teammates Will Anderson, John Metchie III and Christian Harris, whom the Texans selected in the second round last year.
To’oTo’o is the 19th linebacker drafted in Nick Saban’s 16-year career at Alabama. He seems like a really good fit for DeMeco Ryans defense given the fact the guy is a tackling machine, was the signal caller for Alabama’s defense and is lauded for his football smarts and toughness.
It’s also going to be really fun trying to remember how to type out - To’oTo’o (Copy and paste is my friend) in the future.
Round 6: No. 201 (from MIN) – Jarrett Patterson, 6’5, 306 pounds, C, Notre Dame
He’s a sixth round pick sure, I get it, but this guy’s resume screams DAWG. He’s suffered some intense injuries like a torn pectoral, a Lisfranc and a foot sprain.
He battled through them all and ended up starting 34 games combined at both the center and left guard positions during his career at Notre Dame and didn’t allow one sack.
That’s impressive.
Round 6: No. 205 (from BUF) – Xavier Hutchinson, 6’2, 203 pounds, WR, Iowa State
Hutchinson finished behind former University of Houston receiver Tank Dell, now his current teammate, in receptions this past season with 107, breaking an Iowa State record for catches in a season. He also led the FBS in catches per game, averaging 8.9 for the season.
He also comes highly recommended by last year's Mr. Irrelevant, Brock Purdy.
The 49ers quarterback said Hutchinson is extremely smart, physical and his ability to break tackles and create after the catch is top notch while having “that heart of a lion.”
Round 7: No. 248 (from PHI) – Brandon Hill, 5’10, 193 pounds, DB, Pitt
Hill is a former Pitt teammate of Buffalo Bills current safety Damar Hamlin, who suffered a cardiac arrest during a game this past January.
He’s a smaller but aggressive safety prospect that raised eyebrows at the NFL combine, turning in the fastest time for a safety prospect in the 40-yard dash in 4.44 seconds.
The Panthers have sent a number of defensive backs to the league in recent years and Hill is just the latest amongst the talented players produced by longtime Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi.
Shaun Bijani has spent the last 16 years covering the Houston sports scene for SportsRadio 610. Follow him on Twitter @ShaunBijani.
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