Official 2023 NFL Draft - Round 1-7 Thread (+UDFAs)

[Keith]

This is a critical draft for the Texans. Hopefully the team finds the needed players to supercharge the DeMeco Ryans era. Will the evening start with a new quarterback? Might the Texans instead use an early pick on another Mario Williams or Jadaveon Clowney? Will Hannah McNair defeat Nick Caserio in hand-to-hand combat in the team's war room and assume possession of the darksaber? Oh um sorry, not sure how my Texans fan fiction made it into this post.

Anyhoo... here's how the team starts the draft pick-wise:

Round 1·Pick 2 (2)
Round 1·Pick 12 (12) CLE>HOU
Round 2·Pick 2 (33)
Round 3·Pick 2 (65)
Round 3·Pick 10 (73) CLE>HOU
Round 4·Pick 2 (104)
Round 5·Pick 26 (161) DAL>HOU
Round 6·Pick 11 (188) NO>HOU
Round 6·Pick 24 (201) MIN>HOU
Round 6·Pick 26 (203) NYG>HOU
Round 7·Pick 13 (230) NYJ>TB>HOU
Round 7·Pick 42 (259) COMPENSATORY

It's NFL Draft Day-slash-Weekend. Enjoy moderately. I mean, enjoy in moderation.

[Keith]

The Texans selected C.J. Stroud, QB from Ohio State, with the #2 overall pick.

[Keith]

Holy shit. Big trade up to #3 overall to get DE Will Anderson, Jr.

Gets #3, #105 (4th round) from the Cardinals
Gives up #12, #33, 2024 first and 2024 third.

So...
QB C.J. Stroud - Round 1·Pick 2 (2)
DE Will Anderson, Jr. Round 1·Pick 3 (3) ARI>HOU
Round 3·Pick 2 (65)
Round 3·Pick 10 (73) CLE>HOU
Round 4·Pick 2 (104)
Round 4-Pick 3 (105) ARI>HOU
Round 5·Pick 26 (161) DAL>HOU
Round 6·Pick 11 (188) NO>HOU
Round 6·Pick 24 (201) MIN>HOU
Round 6·Pick 26 (203) NYG>HOU
Round 7·Pick 13 (230) NYJ>TB>HOU
Round 7·Pick 42 (259) COMPENSATORY

[Keith]

Texans really needed a center. Traded up to get one.

C Juice Scruggs, Penn St.

Gave up 65, 188 (6th), 230 (7th) to move up to 62.

QB C.J. Stroud - Round 1·Pick 2 (2)
DE Will Anderson, Jr. Round 1·Pick 3 (3) ARI>HOU
C Juice Scruggs - Round 2·Pick 31 (62) PHI>HOU

Round 3·Pick 10 (73) CLE>HOU
Round 4·Pick 2 (104)
Round 4-Pick 3 (105) ARI>HOU
Round 5·Pick 26 (161) DAL>HOU
Round 6·Pick 24 (201) MIN>HOU
Round 6·Pick 26 (203) NYG>HOU
Round 7·Pick 42 (259) COMPENSATORY

[Keith]

ANOTHER trade up, this time to keep Coogs' WR Nathaniel "Tank" Dell at home.

Texans send 73 and 161 to the Rams for 69 and 191.

QB C.J. Stroud - Round 1·Pick 2 (2)
DE Will Anderson, Jr. - Round 1·Pick 3 (3) ARI>HOU
C Juice Scruggs - Round 2·Pick 31 (62) PHI>HOU
WR Tank Dell - Round 3·Pick 6 (69) LAR>HOU

Round 4·Pick 2 (104)
Round 4-Pick 3 (105) ARI>HOU
Round 6·Pick 14 (191) LAR>HOU
Round 6·Pick 24 (201) MIN>HOU
Round 6·Pick 26 (203) NYG>HOU
Round 7·Pick 42 (259) COMPENSATORY

[Keith]

Caserio proving he is willing to pay the price to move up for the players that he, Ryans, and the team wants. Damn the trade charts... go get your guys. Power moves. I'm not going to cry over the extra picks... Can't have a roster with 30 rookies on it next year.

The new OL is solidifying. The combo of a rookie C to go with a rookie QB is a tad concerning though.

LT: Laremy Tunsil
LG: Kenyon Green
C: Juice Scruggs
RG: Shaq Mason
RT: Tytus Howard
TE: Dalton Schultz

And the WR room is getting better.

Nico Collins
Robert Woods
John Metchie
Tank Dell

Stroud to Collins will be sweet assuming Collins can stay healthy for a full season. Have to like the potential now for how Dell becomes the peanut butter to Nico's chocolate.

[chuck]

I agree, I'm OK with using significant draft capital to get the guys you want if you can. My concern is that I heard that the team wanted to go with Anderson at 2 and sort the QB situation out as it shook out, and they got overruled by ownership. Perhaps someone who knows will confirm or correct what I heard, but if there's any truth to that, that's not good.

On the other hand, if Demeco really wanted Stroud and Anderson (I'm pretty sure he really wanted Anderson, obviously), then fine. I'm not all that worked up by the steep cost.

[Keith]

Since Easterby was dismissed, it seems as if it has been far more difficult to get info and insight to what is happening in the room where it happens on Kirby. These media narratives are increasingly just that... stories. The media craves a narrative, and the Texans aren't giving them out anymore. There's dead air and empty columns still to fill though, so we get whoknowswhat to fill that space.

Cal has said today even that he stepped back in the draft process versus his level of involvement in hiring the head coach.

@BKubena
There has been much speculated about the McNair family’s involvement with the draft. I asked Cal McNair about it. His answer lines up with what I’d heard from multiple people in the weeks leading up to the draft.

https://twitter.com/BKubena/status/1...302592/photo/1

So one can be skeptical that Cal is being honest here, but I tend to believe him and not all the other media cultivated narratives. Cal's dad had the same philosphy, for better or worse. Why wouldn't Cal? Of course Cal may have an opinion on what player he likes and how to get it done - we all have an opinion - but ultimately I don't think he levied any sort of veto power or overruling here.

What little we've seen in the war room and of how this draft has so far played out seems to me that Caserio and Ryans are aligned and McNair is happy to see what they can do together. The picks this weekend are just the results... the real narrative consists of the firing of Easterby, the trading of Watson, and the hiring of Ryans.

Side note on Brooks, who I think has done a really nice job since he began covering this beat... he mentioned he was 12 during the 2006 draft (Mario-VY-Bush)... and man it made me feel old.

But that analogy - that drafting Stroud and Anderson might have been like getting both Mario and Vince, just really helps to encapsulate how unique Thursday was not just for the Texans but for the league. The only other times the same team has had two of the first three picks was '00 (Arrington/Samuels) and '92 (Emtman/Coryatt). The Texans did this with the two most important positions on the field, one on each side of the ball in the passer and the pass rusher. Have to admire the boldness if nothing else.

[Warren]

I listened to Lance Zierlein yesterday. He felt like Anderson was their pick at #2 but the decision was made, probably fairly late in the process, that they couldn’t come away without a QB so they paid the price to get both.

The Falcons were also trying to move up to get Anderson at #3, so that pushed the price up. If the Texans had taken Anderson at #2, they’d have been bidding against the Titans for #3 because Tennessee would have been trying to get Stroud. He said the Colts were locked in on Richardson.

As for the actual picks, he thinks Stroud was clearly the best QB available after Young and a great fit for the offense — a highly accurate, rhythm passer who can hit receivers in stride. Anderson brings great leadership in addition to the on-the-field ability and should help set the tone that DeMeco wants in the locker room.

It was a high price but I agree that they got two premium players at premium positions and hopefully they won’t be in as good of a position to do that again anytime soon. If they saw a steep drop off in talent on the board that would also weigh in favor of making the move.

[Keith]

Texans trade out of their first two picks in the fourth round just before the selections begin on Day 3.

Texans send 104 (4th) & 203 (6th) to the Raiders for 109 (4th) and 174 (5th)

Texans send 105 (4th) to the Eagles for a 2024 Third Rounder

So here's where they stand today:

Round 4·Pick 7 (109) LVR>HOU
Round 5-Pick 39 (174) COMPENSATORY LVR>HOU
Round 6·Pick 14 (191) LAR>HOU
Round 6·Pick 24 (201) MIN>HOU
Round 7·Pick 42 (259) COMPENSATORY

[Keith]

Texans again stay in state with their fourth rounder to select DE Dylan Horton from TCU.

QB C.J. Stroud - Round 1·Pick 2 (2)
DE Will Anderson, Jr. - Round 1·Pick 3 (3) ARI>HOU
C Juice Scruggs - Round 2·Pick 31 (62) PHI>HOU
WR Tank Dell - Round 3·Pick 6 (69) LAR>HOU
DE Dylan Horton - Round 4-Pick 7 (109) LVR>HOU

Round 5-Pick 39 (174) COMPENSATORY LVR>HOU
Round 6·Pick 14 (191) LAR>HOU
Round 6·Pick 24 (201) MIN>HOU
Round 7·Pick 42 (259) COMPENSATORY

[Keith]

Guess what, the Texans traded up again, and this is a fun one. They selected Alabama LB Henry To'oTo'o.

The team sent 174 and 259 to the Rams for 167. That means no Mr. Irrelevant.

They've also traded 191 to the Eagles for 230 and 248.

QB C.J. Stroud - Round 1·Pick 2 (2)
DE Will Anderson, Jr. - Round 1·Pick 3 (3) ARI>HOU
C Juice Scruggs - Round 2·Pick 31 (62) PHI>HOU
WR Tank Dell - Round 3·Pick 6 (69) LAR>HOU
DE Dylan Horton - Round 4-Pick 7 (109) LVR>HOU
LB Henry To'oTo'o - Round 5-Pick 32 (167) COMPENSATORY LAR>HOU

Round 6·Pick 24 (201) MIN>HOU
Round 7·Pick 13 (230) NYJ>TAM>HOU>PHI>HOU
Round 7·Pick 31 (248) PHI>HOU

[Keith]

The Texans stayed at 201 an picked up another center, Jarrett Patterson from Notre Dame. PFF says he hasn't allowed a sack in his collegiate career, which is I guess is pretty good.

QB C.J. Stroud - Round 1·Pick 2 (2)
DE Will Anderson, Jr. - Round 1·Pick 3 (3) ARI>HOU
C Juice Scruggs - Round 2·Pick 31 (62) PHI>HOU
WR Tank Dell - Round 3·Pick 6 (69) LAR>HOU
DE Dylan Horton - Round 4-Pick 7 (109) LVR>HOU
LB Henry To'oTo'o - Round 5-Pick 32 (167) COMPENSATORY LAR>HOU
C Jarrett Patterson - Round 6·Pick 24 (201) MIN>HOU

Round 7·Pick 13 (230) NYJ>TAM>HOU>PHI>HOU
Round 7·Pick 31 (248) PHI>HOU

[Keith]

Welp, a trade. Is this the 8th one this draft?

Texans move up to 205 to pick WR Xavier Hutchinson from Iowa State. Give up pick 230 and a 2024 6th rounder to Buffalo to make the trade.

QB C.J. Stroud - Round 1·Pick 2 (2)
DE Will Anderson, Jr. - Round 1·Pick 3 (3) ARI>HOU
C Juice Scruggs - Round 2·Pick 31 (62) PHI>HOU
WR Tank Dell - Round 3·Pick 6 (69) LAR>HOU
DE Dylan Horton - Round 4-Pick 7 (109) LVR>HOU
LB Henry To'oTo'o - Round 5-Pick 32 (167) COMPENSATORY LAR>HOU
C Jarrett Patterson - Round 6·Pick 24 (201) MIN>HOU
WR Xavier Hutchinson - Round 6·Pick 28 (205) BUF>HOU
Round 7·Pick 31 (248) PHI>HOU

[Keith]

The last pick has been made. Safety Brandon Hill out of Pitt, 5'10" 193 ran a 4.43 at the Combine. Lance had a 5th round projection on him. Pretty good hitter with speed sounds like a good special teams coverage candidate.

QB C.J. Stroud - Round 1·Pick 2 (2)
DE Will Anderson, Jr. - Round 1·Pick 3 (3) ARI>HOU
C Juice Scruggs - Round 2·Pick 31 (62) PHI>HOU
WR Tank Dell - Round 3·Pick 6 (69) LAR>HOU
DE Dylan Horton - Round 4-Pick 7 (109) LVR>HOU
LB Henry To'oTo'o - Round 5-Pick 32 (167) COMPENSATORY LAR>HOU
C Jarrett Patterson - Round 6·Pick 24 (201) MIN>HOU
WR Xavier Hutchinson - Round 6·Pick 28 (205) BUF>HOU
S Brandon Hill - Round 7·Pick 31 (248) PHI>HOU

[Keith]

Undrafted FAs, Caserio says to expect 11-12 when all is done here.

OL Tyler Beach, Wisconsin
DL Dylan Deatherage, Western Michigan
P Joe Doyle, Memphis
DE Ali Gaye, LSU
DB Darius Joiner, Duke
WR Jesse Matthews, San Diego State
RB Xazien Valladay, Arizona State
WR Jared Wayne, Pitt
OL Kilian Zierer, Auburn

Valladay's agent is saying that he is getting $175k guaranteed ($30k bonus plus $145k salary), which is not a record but seems fairly significant for a UDFA. Reportedly Deatherage and Gaye are each getting a $10k sign bonus with a $70k salary guarantee.

UPDATE: Wayne is getting an even better payout than Valladay at $210k guaranteed ($10k bonus, $200k salary).

[Blitzwood]

Valladay is a stud!!
I’m sure he’ll make the team.

I’m happy overall with the draft, looking forward to next season.
LFG!

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by chuck

I agree, I'm OK with using significant draft capital to get the guys you want if you can. My concern is that I heard that the team wanted to go with Anderson at 2 and sort the QB situation out as it shook out, and they got overruled by ownership. Perhaps someone who knows will confirm or correct what I heard, but if there's any truth to that, that's not good.

On the other hand, if Demeco really wanted Stroud and Anderson (I'm pretty sure he really wanted Anderson, obviously), then fine. I'm not all that worked up by the steep cost.

Well you know Chuck it's kinda like when you bought that Lamborghini just to park in front of your house to impress all of your snotty-nosed River Oaks neighbors.