It’s been a rough stretch for a franchise that was a playoff contender for many years but the Texans draft picks in 2023 could turn things around.
Who would have thought that the fall would be so incredibly dramatic? From 2011-19, the Houston Texans won six AFC South titles in a nine-season span. The club won a few playoff games but never advanced past the divisional round.
Then came chaos. After winning a total of 11 games (including playoffs) in 2019, the Texans own a combined 11-38-1 record the past three seasons. Over that span, Bill O’Brien, Romeo Crennel, David Culley and Lovie Smith have served as head coaches.
However, there is excitement in Houston with the hiring of former standout linebacker DeMeco Ryans. He returns to the franchise as a head coach after serving as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator the past two seasons.
Texans draft picks 2023
- Round 1: 2nd overall
- Round 1: 12th overall
- Round 2: 33rd overall
- Round 3: 65th overall
- Round 3: 73rd overall
- Round 4: 104th overall
- Round 5: 161st overall
- Round 6: 188th overall
- Round 6: 201st overall
- Round 6: 203rd overall
- Round 7: 230th overall
- Round 7: 259th overall
The franchise has a great opportunity to make dramatic strides this season. There are a slew of veteran additions and the Texans also have a dozen selections in this year’s draft.
From 2018-21, the organization utilized one first-round draft choice. Barring a deal, the Texans will pick two players in the first round for the second consecutive year. The team is still reaping the benefits of last year’s mammoth trade that sent quarterback Deshaun Watson to the Cleveland Browns. All told, Houston has five of the top 73 selections in April’s draft.
Texans draft needs 2023
Despite the fact that general manager Nick Caserio continues to add veteran talent, the Texans still have some question marks. The team’s needs are via of Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
1. Quarterback
2. Center
3. Interior defensive line
4. Edge
The Texans have used a first-round draft choice on a quarterback just twice in their brief history. As an expansion team in 2002, they opted for David Carr from Fresno State. In 2017, it was Clemson’s Deshaun Watson.
Caserio and the Texans did add defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (Jets) in free agency. However, more help is needed for a defense that has finished last in league in run defense two of the past three seasons, and next-to-last in 2021.