Free agency has come and gone for the most part, so now we will transition to draft mode. 

The Texans did a nice job patching roster holes this offseason, but the draft is where the team has the chance to drastically change its fortunes. 

I wanted to do a post-free agency, seven-round mock for the Texans. For this mock, I used Pro Football Network's mock simulator and turned off trades. Let's get into it!

Round 1 Pick 2: CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State

In this scenario, the Carolina Panthers selected Bryce Young with the first pick. 

Naturally, I went with the best available quarterback regardless due to the Texans' crucial need of a franchise signal-caller. 

Stroud is a great prospect. Scouts rave about his arm talent, and his mobility is underrated as well. Stroud is no Lamar Jackson, but he is comfortable on rollouts and can make throws on the run. 

Accuracy is probably Stroud's best quality. He completed almost 70% of his college passes and rarely turned the ball over. 

Stroud has all the makings of a 10+ year starter in the league. 

Round 1 Pick 12: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State

I was perfectly fine with the Stroud pick because I knew I was taking Smith-Njigba next. 

The former Buckeye duo could thrive together in Houston. JSN has no problem getting open and boasts exceptional acceleration out of the break. 

During the 2021 season, JSN and Stroud connected 95 times for 1606 yards and nine touchdowns. Pairing a rookie QB with a college teammate could do wonders for his chemistry. 

The Texans need receivers and they need the new QB to feel comfortable. Selecting JSN accomplishes both of these things. 

Round 2 Pick 33: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia

Washington is an absolute freak. 

At 6'7", 265 lbs, the young tight end will present a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. 

The Texans did sign Dalton Schultz, but only on a one-year deal. If DeMeco Ryans and Bobby Slowik plan on utilizing two-TE sets, a Schultz and Washington combination would be deadly. 

Round 3 Pick 65: Steve Avila, G, TCU

Avila remains in Texas, heading to the interior of the Texans' offensive line. 

Avila has the makeup of a plug-and-play starter in the league. The lineman boasts impressive athleticism and the perfect size for his position. 

Avila also has experience at the guard spots and center, increasing his value. Presumably, Avila would push Kenyon Green for the starting left guard spot or take the starting center job. 

Round 3 Pick 73: Keeanu Benton, DT, Wisconsin

Benton could be a day-one starter in Houston on the defensive line. 

The Texans' defense was the worst in the NFL against the run in 2022, and much of the offseason has been spent rectifying that issue. Sheldon Rankins, Chase Winovich, and Hassan Ridgeway have been brought in, but the team needs more. 

Benton is a tackles-for-loss machine, racking up 10 in 2022 to go along with 4.5 sacks. An interior disruptor who can also rush the passer? The Texans will take it. 

Round 4 Pick 104: Luke Wypler, OL, Ohio State

The Texans return to the Ohio State pipeline once more. 

Wypler has great size for a center, standing at 6'3", 300 lbs. The lineman's best trait is his athleticism, and he could be a very solid run blocker from day one. 

Wypler would be in the running for the starting center job, but would still provide versatile depth even if he didn't win the job immediately. 

Round 5 Pick 161: Dorian Williams, LB, Tulane

One position where the Texans would benefit from a youth injection is linebacker. 

The team brought in veterans Denzel Perryman and Cory Littleton, and still roster Christian Kirksey as well. 

That trio has all been serviceable starters, but the depth isn't there. Enter Dorian Williams. 

Williams is a tackling machine who also flashed some pass coverage ability in 2022, landing two interceptions. Williams could immediately be a special-teamer, filling that Jalen Reeves-Maybin role. 

Round 6 Pick 188: Jalen Moreno-Cropper, WR, Fresno State

Moreno-Cropper could fall due to his lean build and lack of high-quality competition in the Mountain West. 

However, whichever team takes JMC could be getting a steal. 

Moreno-Cropper will almost assuredly be a slot receiver/deep threat in the NFL. In other words, the perfect receiver for new Texans' QB CJ Stroud. This is a worthy late-round flier. 

Round 6 Pick 201: Deuce Vaughn, RB, Kansas State

This is a luxury pick, but if Vaughn is available now, he would be a steal. 

Vaughn was extremely productive at Kansas State and could provide a spark in a rotational role. There are concerns about Vaughn's size (he's 5'5"), and he won't be an effective blocker, but he has game-breaking ability and also can catch passes. 

Vaughn just provides insurance behind Dameon Pierce and Devin Singletary.

Round 6 Pick 203: Gervarrius Owens, S, Houston

Owens stays in Houston in this scenario and could carve out a role on special teams. 

Owens likely does not have the ball-hawking or run-stuffing ability to be an every-down starter, but he could provide decent depth. 

A late-round flier on a physical defensive back is never a bad idea. 

Round 7 Pick 230: Jalen Redmond, DT, Oklahoma

Redmond would be tremendous value here. 

He's another defensive lineman who has no problem getting to the backfield. In 2022, Redmond collected 10 tackles for loss and four sacks. 

His size might lead to him playing the 4-3 defensive end, which is good because the Texans need depth there. 

Round 7 Pick 259: Spencer Anderson, OL, Maryland

Anderson has great size, standing at 6'5", weighing 305 lbs. 

Anderson is also experienced playing the guard or center, giving the Texans another versatile depth option. A multi-year starter in the Big Ten, Anderson is experienced and has the size to brawl inside. 

What more can you ask for from one of the last picks in the draft? 

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Final Thoughts: I like this mock for Houston. The Stroud-Smith-Njigba pairing could be deadly in the NFL like it was in college. 

Then, the Texans addressed several problem areas, including the interior offensive line and defensive line. This draft won't make the Texans contenders in 2023, but it could put them well on their way.