Houston Texans 7-round Mock Draft

Using the NFL Mock Draft Database, the following is a 2023 Houston Texans Mock Draft (without trades).

Round 1 – Pick No. 2

QB Bryce Young 5-10 204 (Alabama)

The Texans, who have seemingly been in limbo since 2019, have the new face of the franchise fall into their lap. Make no mistake; if Young were three inches taller, he would be the clear-cut first-overall draft pick.

The former Heisman Trophy winner threw for 8200 yards over the past two seasons with a 6.5-to-1 touchdown to interception ratio. Young, whose stats include road games in Gainesville, College Station and Baton Rouge, is also the only quarterback to defeat the current Georgia juggernaut in Kirby Smart’s past 34 games.

In Houston, with the emergence of powerful downhill running back Dameon Pierce, anticipate new Head Coach DeMeco Ryans to run more of the system he studied in San Francisco over the past six seasons. New offensive coordinator 35-year-old Bobby Slowik has been a disciple of Kyle Shanahan throughout his entire career. Expect Houston to run a plethora of 11 and 12 personnel setting up Young in the play-action game. Texans fans might even see some pistol looks, similar to what Atlanta tried a bit this past season with athletic rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder.

Round 1 – Pick No. 12

WR Jaxson Smith-Njiba 6-1 196 (Ohio State)

While Young seems like a surefire selection if available at No. 2, the Texans have multiple directions to steer in with their second pick possibly. Much will depend on who is still on the board as Houston, winners of just 11 games over the past three seasons, is in a position to select the best player available among three-to-four positions. Knowing he will likely need multiple years to turn around the franchise and trusting in Ryans’s defensive expertise, General Manager Nick Caserio pairs Young with Smith-Njigba, who was virtually unstoppable in 2021.

The former Buckeye offers Slowik a versatile option with the size to play outside at times but enough shiftiness and twitch to also line up in the slot. Nico Collins, Houston’s leading returner receiver with 37 receptions in 2022, will need major help if the Texans’ offense is to raise their putrid 17 ppg from this past season.

 

Round 2 – Pick No. 33

DT Mazi Smith 6-3 323 (Michigan)

Coaching in San Francisco these past six seasons taught Ryans the importance of a dominant defensive front. Investing in a powerful front, four allowed the 49ers to both maintain success and keep all-pro linebacker Fred Warner relatively free to chase down opponents.

The 21-year-old defensive tackle earned back-to-back All-Big Ten honors in 2021/2022 and reminded some of Ndamukong Suh in terms of strength and size. It’s no coincidence that Michigan’s recent resurgence and defensive prowess coincide with Smith’s presence in its starting lineup.

Round 3 – Pick No. 65

DE Derick Hall 6-3 254 (Auburn)

Despite playing in three different defensive systems over the past three seasons, Hall has consistently produced on the field for the Tigers while incrementally adding 40 pounds on his lean frame. He enters the draft as possibly the quickest edge rusher, racking up 15.5 sacks over the past two seasons. His explosive first step, combined with a pterodactyl-like wingspan, resembles that of a Demarcus Ware stacking style.

Round 3 – Pick No. 73

 C Joe Tippman 6-6 313 (Wisconsin)

Houston’s center Scott Quessenberry struggled in 2022, ranking as one of the worst starters in the league according to Pro Football Focus. Wisconsin routinely produces NFL linemen and Tippman’s combination of smarts, size and strength raises the floor for Slowik’s offense. At the very least, Tippman would serve as a quality backup for all three interior positions in his rookie season.

Round 4 – Pick No. 102

WR Tank Dell 5-8 165 (Houston)

Due to his diminutive size, Dell’s draft stock has a certain ceiling. While it may not be this low, Houston would be quick to snatch up the lightning-fast slot receiver who led the AAC in receptions in each of the previous two seasons. After posting 199 receptions and 29 touchdowns since the start of 2021, Dell has the possibility of creating mismatches against linebackers and strong safeties.

Round 5 – Pick No. 161

DE Yaya Diaby 6-3 263 (Louisville)

Like Hall in round three, Diaby brings a unique athletic profile to the defensive edge. Players at his size and length don’t usually possess wide receiver-type speed. While rawer than Hall, Diaby, an all-ACC performer this past season, gives Ryans another edge rusher with a quick get-off that can force quarterbacks to climb in the pocket before finishing their progression.

Round 6 – Pick No. 188

C Ricky Stromberg 6-3 306 (Arkansas)

Stromberg is the most athletic center in the draft this year and thrived in reaching some of the larger SEC defensive tackles during his four-year career, starting 44 games while at Arkansas, Stromberg earned the 2022 Jacobs Blocking Trophy this past season as the best offensive lineman in the SEC. A draft combination of Stromberg and Tippman could provide Houston with one or two starters to build its new identity around.

 

Round 6 – Pick No. 201

DT Keondre Coburn 6-2 332 (Texas)

Coburn is an experienced, run-stuffing defensive tackle that has the mass and length to engage multiple interior linemen and free up Houston’s run defenders. Ryans certainly had star power across the 49ers’ front four, but he often employed a rotation of eight or nine players to keep his defense fresh. Coburn, who started 45 games in his NCAA career in Austin, can give the Texans some immediate depth in 2023.

Round 6 – Pick No. 203

S Daniel Scott 6-1 208 (California)

Cut from the safe cloth at 49ers SS Talanoa Hufanga, Scott can bring toughness and leadership to the Houston secondary. He possesses incredible athleticism, running the forty in 4.45 with a 40-inch vertical leap. The captain for the defensive-minded Cal squad, Scott, will bring intensity to the special teams with the ability to spell newly signed SS Jimmie Ward.

Round 7 – Pick No. 230

QB Jake Haener 6-0 207 (Fresno State)

Unless the Texans move on from Davis Mills, Haener might not make it off the practice squad in year one. The Senior Bowl MVP possesses the leadership, physical traits, and experience that Slovik is used to in his quarterbacks though, giving him a chance to back up Young down the road.

Round 7 – Pick No. 259

WR Ronnie Bell 6-0 191 (Michigan)

Another former collegiate captain, Bell bounced back quite well this past season, catching 62 passes after tearing his ACL in 2021. Unlike most collegiate receivers who play in many spread and RPO-based offenses, Bell proved his mettle in Michigan’s run-first approach as a willing and above-average blocker on the perimeter.

Houston Texans 7-round Mock Draft

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