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          NFL Nation

          Houston Texans 2023 NFL draft picks, depth chart, analysis

          • DJ Bien-Aime, ESPNApr 29, 2023, 11:00 PM
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              DJ Bien-Aime covers the Houston Texans for ESPN. He joined ESPN in July of 2022 after covering the New York Jets. He's a former athlete who finished his college career at Louisville. You can catch DJ on ESPN Radio on his show, "Talkin' Texans."
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          HOUSTON -- The Houston Texans kicked off their 2023 NFL draft by selecting quarterback C.J. Stroud on Thursday in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.

          The Texans made a big splash by trading the Nos. 12 and 33 picks as part of a package for the No. 3 pick to select linebacker Will Anderson Jr.

          Here's a pick-by-pick analysis of each of the Texans’ selections:

          Analysis of every pick | Updated depth chart

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

          My take: ​​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.

          Is this pick for depth or does it fill a hole? Adding Stroud fills a hole. The Texans hope he can fix their quarterback woes from the past two seasons, where their quarterbacks ranked 31st in QBR (33.3), 21st in touchdowns (41), 28th in yards per attempt (6.5) and threw the second-most interceptions (34).

          Will he start? Stroud most likely will be the starter from Day 1. He'll be competing with Davis Mills and Case Keenum for the role. Mills was the primary starter last season, and he was tied for the league lead in interceptions with 15. Keenum has started two games since 2019.

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

          My take: 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.

          Ties to the team to know: Anderson has a few connections to the Texans from his time at Alabama. He played with Texans linebacker Christian Harris and wide receiver John Metchie III from 2020 to 2021, and Houston's coach, DeMeco Ryans, played for the Crimson Tide from 2005 to 2006.

          Is this pick for depth or does it fill a hole? This pick fills a significant void. Last season, the Texans' pass rush was tied for 17th in sacks (39) and 16th in sacks without blitzing (24), and they allowed the sixth most rushing yards in NFL history with 2,894 yards.

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

          My take: 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.

          Will he start as a rookie? The starting spot won't be given to Scruggs, but the Texans did trade into the second round, sending the 65, 188 and 230 overall picks to the Philadelphia Eagles for the selection. That move alone show that they believe in him, but it'll be up to Scruggs to earn the spot.

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

          My take: 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.

          When will he be expected to get regular playing time? Pretty early. Dell's elusiveness and ability to separate from defenders is a requirement within the Texans' offense under coordinator Bobby Slowik.

          What's next: On Day 3, the Texans have six picks left. They can add talent at the receiver spot, even after the Dell selection, as teams can never have enough playmakers for their young quarterback. Another position of need is linebacker, as they brought in potential contributors Denzel Perryman and Cory Littleton on one-year deals this offseason.

          Round 4, No. 109 overall (from Las Vegas): Dylan Horton, DE, TCU

          My take: 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, No. 167 overall (compensatory via Los Angeles Rams): Henry To'oto'o, LB, Alabama

          My take: 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, No. 201 overall (from Minnesota): Jarrett Patterson, C, Notre Dame

          My take: 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, No. 203 overall (from New York Giants): Xavier Hutchinson, WR, Iowa State

          My take: 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.

          Round 7, No. 248 overall (from Philadelphia): Brandon Hill, S, Pittsburgh

          My take: Hill had 162 tackles in his three-year Pitt career along with three interceptions. He can add depth to the Texans safety room led by Jalen Pitre, Jimmie Ward, M.J Stewart and Eric Murray. Hill ran 4.43 in the 40-yard dash at the scouting combine and could potentially contribute to special teams also running down on kickoffs or punts.