Going into 2023, we knew that the AFC South was a wild card, with the Jacksonville Jaguars as the early favorites. Who’d have thought we’d enter 2024 with the Houston Texans being the clear favorites?
It’s a team sport, but a big reason for the high praise is the excellent season from rising second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud. Looking ahead to the 2024 NFL Draft, the Texans have various needs on both sides of the ball.
Danielle Hunter is a big-time difference maker on defense. Houston still needs a more consistent No. 2 pass rusher.
Joe Mixon changes the face of the running game and will challenge Dameon Pierce for lead back duties.
Head coach DeMeco Ryans has already changed this team’s culture, and expectations will be very high in his second season leading this franchise.
Texans NFL Draft Picks 2024
- Round 2, Pick 42
- Round 2, Pick 59
- Round 3, Pick 86
- Round 4, Pick 123
- Round 4, Pick 127
- Round 5, Pick 188
- Round 7, Pick 238
- Round 7, Pick 247
Texans NFL Futures Odds
Get ready for the 2024-25 NFL season with the latest Texans odds and futures betting markets.
Texans NFL Draft Round 2 Mock 2024
- Round 2, Pick 59: Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M
Find more draft insights in our full NFL Mock Draft 2024.
Texans Draft Team Needs 2024
Note: The following information was written prior to the 2024 NFL Draft.
1. Cornerback
The Texans have five corners who will be free agents next year and two starters: Desmond King and Jeff Okudah.
I understand wanting guys to prove their long-term worth. This only creates a situation that highlights the need for a long-term answer via the draft and not one-year stopgap players.
2. Defensive Tackle
The Texans overhauled their defensive tackles via free agency yet I still don’t see a stud in the group out of newly signed guys like Denico Autry, Folorunso Fatukasi, Tim Settle, and Mario Edwards Jr.
Adding Danielle Hunter on the edge will make life easier for Houston’s DTs. That’s not a solution to the group’s mediocrity.
2. Offensive Guard
Guard play is an issue for many teams. As much that’s been made about Dameon Pierce’s disappointing 2023, I believe much was due to the Texans’ inability to get a push between the tackles consistently.
Kenyon Green, a 2022 first-rounder, must step up.
If not addressed in free agency, there are two second-round players to consider in Miami’s Javion Cohen and Kansas State’s Cooper Beebe.
More Position Needs: Center, Wide receiver, Free safety,
Texans Draft Grade 2024
Grade: Coming soon
Read the evaluations in our full 2023 report card of NFL Draft Grades. 2024 grades will be published soon after the draft.
Team by Team Draft Recaps
| AFC EAST | BUF | MIA | NE | NYJ |
| AFC NORTH | BAL | CIN | CLE | PIT |
| AFC SOUTH | HOU | IND | JAC | TEN |
| AFC WEST | DEN | KC | LAC | LV |
| NFC EAST | DAL | NYG | PHI | WAS |
| NFC NORTH | CHI | DET | GB | MIN |
| NFC SOUTH | ATL | CAR | NO | TB |
| NFC WEST | ARI | LAR | SF | SEA |
Texans NFL Draft Pick History
2023
- Round 1, Pick 2: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
- Round 1, Pick 3: Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama
- Round 2, Pick 62: Juice Scruggs, C, Penn State
- Round 3, Pick 69: Tank Dell, WR, Houston
- Round 4, Pick 109: Dylan Horton, EDGE, TCU
- Round 5, Pick 167: Henry To’oTo’o, LB, Alabama
- Round 6, Pick 201: Jarrett Patterson, C, Notre Dame
- Round 6, Pick 205: Xavier Hutchinson, WR, Iowa State
- Round 7, Pick 248: Brandon Hill, S, Pittsburgh
2022
- Round 1, Pick 3: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
- Round 1, Pick 15: Kenyon Green, OG, Texas A&M
- Round 2, Pick 37: Jalen Pitre, S, Baylor
- Round 2, Pick 44: John Metchie III, WR, Alabama
- Round 3, Pick 75: Christian Harris, LB, Alabama
- Round 4, Pick 107: Dameon Pierce, RB, Florida
- Round 5, Pick 150: Thomas Booker, DT, Stanford
- Round 5, Pick 170: Teagan Quitoriano, TE, Oregon State
- Round 6, Pick 205: Austin Deculus, OT, LSU
