Well another draft is in the books, and this could be very well be Nick Caserio's finest work as general manager of the Houston Texans. Trades were aplenty, and the team exits with multiple new starters for 2023 and beyond. 

Caserio and the Texans stole the show during the first round of the draft on Thursday night. The team secured its franchise quarterback in C.J. Stroud, and then surprisingly traded up to No. 3 and took Will Anderson Jr. 

Going into Friday, the Texans did not hold a second-round pick due to the Anderson trade. However, GM Nick Caserio saw a player he liked and traded back into the round. Juice Scruggs, a versatile interior lineman from Penn State, was the pick at No. 62. In the third round, the team added a local product in Tank Dell, wide receiver out of Houston. 

Before the selections even began on Saturday, the Texans were already making moves, trading twice. The first pick of the day for Houston was DE Dylan Horton at No. 109. Henry To'oTo'o, Alabama LB, was added one round later. 

Two picks were made in the sixth round, with the team adding two sneakily good prospects in C Jarrett Patterson and WR Xavier Hutchinson. Finally, the final pick of the draft went to Brandon Hill, a safety out of Pittsburgh. 

See the detailed recap below.

Houston Texans 2023 NFL Draft Picks

Round 1, No. 2 overall: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State

While rumors were flying about the Texans possibly taking a defensive player first, the team ultimately couldn’t pass on Stroud. The QB immediately gives the Texans an exciting young offense that could put up points with ease. If all goes well, QB should not be a need for many years to come. 

Round 1, No. 3 overall: Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama

The Texans shocked the NFL world by trading back up into the top five and selecting the star Alabama edge rusher. With the first pick, the Texans got an offensive cornerstone, and got a defensive one with their second pick. It’s hard to find anything negative to say about this selection. Anderson will wreak havoc on opposing offensive lines immediately. 

Round 2, No. 62 overall: Juice Scruggs, OL, Penn State

After adding a new pillar on offense and defense, the Texans traded back into the second round to improve in the trenches. Scruggs is surprisingly athletic for his size and can play multiple positions along the line. Scruggs figures to immediately challenge Scott Quessenberry for the starting center job, and he could easily win it. Scruggs has the potential to have a long career as a versatile interior lineman. 

Round 3, No. 69 overall: Tank Dell, WR, Houston

Dell gets to stay in Houston after the Texans used a third-rounder on the speedy receiver. Dell has a slight build, listed at 5’8″, and 165 pounds. Dell looks best suited for a role in the slot and provides an element the Texans currently do not have. Dell can be utilized in jet sweeps and could be deadly across the middle of the field. The former Cougar has no problem getting open, which is a great thing for a rookie QB to have. Dell will have an impact immediately in Houston. 

Round 4, No. 109 overall: Dylan Horton, DE, TCU

The Texans went back to defense to start the fourth round. Horton had 10.5 sacks for the Horned Frogs in 2022 and was a crucial part of the team getting to the College Football Playoff National Championship. Horton will provide depth on the defensive line and could rotate in immediately. Horton probably lasted this long because of his inexperience at the defensive end. Horton has moved around quite a bit, playing as a stand-up outside backer, defensive end, and even on the interior of the d-line. This is great value for the fourth round, and Horton should be a rotational pass-rusher initially. 

Round 5, No. 167 overall: Henry To’oTo’o, LB, Alabama

After completing yet another trade, the Texans moved up to select To’oTo’o at the end of the fifth round. The former Tide linebacker should immediately be a key special teams contributor in Houston. While he struggles in pass coverage, he has a great football IQ and is a hard hitter. This is a solid depth selection that improves the special teams unit. 

Round 6, No. 201 overall: Jarrett Patterson, C, Notre Dame

Patterson is a sturdy presence on the interior offensive line who should compete for the center job. While it seems likely that fellow draftee Juice Scruggs gets the starting gig, Patterson should slot in as a backup guard at the very least. The former Irish lineman only allowed 2 sacks in his college career. This is more great value near the end of the draft. 

Round 6, No. 205 overall: Xavier Hutchinson, WR, Iowa State

Hutchinson was not only one of the most productive receivers in the Big 12 in 2022, but in the entire FBS. Hutchinson caught 107 passes for 1,171 yards and six touchdowns. Unlike earlier selection Tank Dell, Hutchinson is a pure X receiver who dominates on the outside. The former Cyclone provides the Texans with a big red-zone threat at the position. 

Round 7, No. 248 overall: Brandon Hill, S, Pittsburgh

To round things out, the Texans went for a defensive depth piece. Hill was a two-year starter for the Pittsburgh Panthers and collected 67 tackles in 2022. Hill’s slide can likely be attributed to size concerns and his lack of turnover production. Hill stands at 5’11”, weighing under 200 pounds. What he lacks in size and turnovers he makes up for in hustle and physicality. Hill is not scared to meet running backs at the line of scrimmage, and never backs down from contact. Hill likely will never be a starter in the secondary, but he could be a solid special-teamer. 

• Round 1, No. 2 overall: CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State 
• Round 1, No. 3 overall: Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama
• Round 2, No. 62 overall: Juice Scruggs, OL, Penn State
• Round 3, No. 69 overall: Tank Dell, WR, Houston
• Round 4, No. 109 overall: Dylan Horton, DE, TCU
• Round 5, No. 167 overall: Henry To'oTo'o, LB, Alabama
• Round 6, No. 201 overall: Jarrett Patterson, C, Notre Dame
• Round 6, No. 205 overall: Xavier Hutchinson, WR, Iowa State
• Round 7, No. 248 overall: Brandon Hill, S, Pittsburgh

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Stroud and Anderson seem set to be franchise cornerstones for years to come. Scruggs should win the starting center job, and Dell will likely get a fair amount of snaps in the slot. Horton looks like a solid rotational pass-rusher, and To'oTo'o could end up being a key special-teamer. I also believe Patterson and Hutchinson will likely make the team. Patterson would be solid depth on the interior, and Hutchinson provides a red-zone threat. Hill has an outside shot to make the roster as a special-teamer.

Overall, it's hard to come away from this draft disappointed. Quarterback and pass-rusher were probably the biggest areas of conern in Houston, and both were sufficiently addressed. The overall talent level was lacking, and multiple impact players were added at various positions.