The 2023 Texans draft class strikes into the ultimate yr of their rookie offers, a pure inflection level for evaluating every participant’s future with the staff. With extensions already in place for C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr., the remaining gamers now face a season that can decide whether or not they match into the Texans’ lengthy‑time period roster development.
Houston Texans 2023 NFL Draft Class
Spherical 1, Choose 2: C.J. Stroud – Quarterback (Ohio State) – EXTENDED through fifth-year choice
Spherical 1, Choose 3: Will Anderson Jr. – Defensive Finish / Linebacker (Alabama) – EXTENDED by way of 2030
Spherical 2, Choose 62: Juice Scruggs – Middle / Offensive Lineman (Penn State) – CUT
Spherical 3, Choose 69: Tank Dell – Large Receiver (Houston)
Spherical 4, Choose 109: Dylan Horton – Defensive Finish / Defensive Lineman (TCU)
Spherical 5, Choose 167: Henry To’oTo’o – Linebacker (Alabama)
Spherical 6, Choose 201: Jarrett Patterson – Middle / Offensive Lineman (Notre Dame)
Spherical 6, Choose 205: Xavier Hutchinson – Large Receiver (Iowa State)
Spherical 7, Choose 248: Brandon Hill – Security / Defensive Again (Pittsburgh) – CUT
This class has turn into the spine of the Texans’ return to prominence within the AFC. Exterior of the large bust of Juice Scruggs, this class has produced each elite expertise and constant function gamers. They’ve began 231 of 459 doable video games, a 50.3% begin charge, by far the very best of any Texans draft class up to now decade.
What’s made this class stand out are the Day Three contributors. Henry To’oTo’o has developed right into a beginning linebacker and an awesome counterpart to Azeez Al-Shaair. Jarrett Patterson has began 21 video games; yet one more than former second-rounder Juice Scruggs. Xavier Hutchinson has confirmed to be a succesful rotational receiver who can block and contribute on particular groups.
With their rookie offers coming to a detailed, they’ve one remaining season to earn a second contract. However first, they should earn their spot on this 2026 staff. That quest is most prevalent for heart/guard Jarrett Patterson. He’s been the reply to the Texans all-too-often break glass state of affairs on the offensive line. He watched the Texans commerce for, re‑signal, signal, and draft inside offensive linemen this offseason. Houston pursued each doable means to accumulate expertise on the expense of Patterson. In keeping with the newest Rosterology, Patterson is anticipated to overlook the reduce. That may be a significant letdown for a participant who began 5 video games final yr. Sadly, he wouldn’t be on this place if he had made probably the most of his alternatives.
By far probably the most intriguing state of affairs on this class is WR Tank Dell. A dynamic and promising rookie season was reduce brief by damage. His sluggish ascent again in his second yr ended abruptly with a ugly leg damage that took him out all of 2025. Now, he enters the ultimate yr of his contract with a lot to show. The Texans have finished equally as a lot to exchange and mitigate the lack of Dell by drafting three WRs the final two courses. What’s extra, the offensive coordinator and scheme have modified whereas Dell has been sidelined, favoring two tight finish units that might restrict Dell’s alternatives to get on the sphere. Even when Dell does return to well being and contribute in 2026, will the group reward him with a brand new contract after the accidents he’s suffered? It’s an especially murky state of affairs and might be intriguing to see how a lot he may get on the open market if the events do determine to half methods. For now, Dell stays the one greatest X-factor on this offense.
Dylan Horton stays one of the crucial unheralded gamers on the whole staff. The backup DE has by no means began a sport and solely a half sack to his resume, however he has steadily elevated his contribution every season. He’s now the clear third defensive finish on the roster and plans to rotate in closely to alleviate the costly and ageing Danielle Hunter. He’s in retailer for a much bigger function this season and has the chance to earn a large second contract right here.
For Hutchinson, he’s been the backup for Nico Collins permits the offense to keep up its physicality on the place when their WR1 is out. His body and toughness have saved him within the lineup and made him worthwhile as an choice in the midst of the sphere. As illustrated by PFF’s reception depth chart, Hutch’ is employed between the numbers to realize robust yardage on slant and dig routes. His two landing day towards Baltimore helped solidify him within the offense as an awesome choice in unfold offense packages with 4 or 5 receivers.
Nevertheless, he faces challenges to his function on the staff and doubtlessly his roster spot as an entire. Veteran Justin Watson stays an element on this place group and will shake up the competitors if he can wedge his approach into the offense. Each Watson and Hutchinson contribute on particular groups and are nice run blockers. Whereas Hutchinson is penciled in as a foregone conclusion, it’s arduous to depend out the previous Tremendous Bowl champion. If Hutchinson can win the spot and produce one other constant season, he ought to earn a team-friendly contract to remain as a depth piece.
C.J. Stroud’s upcoming season towers over each different storyline. It might be probably the most consequential yr any Texans participant has ever confronted, as a result of the staff’s future and monetary technique hinge completely on his efficiency. Stroud is presently the twenty‑fifth‑highest‑paid quarterback, incomes a fraction of what prime passers make. If he delivers on the stage he confirmed as a rookie, he’ll belong within the fifty‑million‑per‑yr tier. If his outcomes stay opaque, Houston will delay the dedication and use the franchise tag. The route of the franchise sits squarely with him, and everybody would favor he cements himself as the reply quite than power the staff into one other reset.
Solely factor we will do is watch this season play out.
