The Texans have been among the worst teams in the NFL the last few seasons. They made the playoffs in 2019, but things have quickly gone downhill since that campaign.
Houston began the 2020 season with an 0-4 record, and that led to the firing of Bill O’Brien. Since then, the Texans have cycled through interim coach Romeo Crennel, David Culley, and now, Lovie Smith as their head coaches.
As the Texans have looked for a direction, they have a record of just 9-30-1 in their last 40 games. Still, good news could be just around the corner, as they are poised to make a lot of upgrades to their roster during the 2023 NFL Draft.
The Texans are poised to perhaps be the power player at the 2023 NFL Draft. Houston will be able to add plenty of talent to its roster and could be armed with the No. 1 pick when it’s all said and done.
What does the Texans’ stockpile of draft picks look like right now? Here’s a breakdown of the resources Nick Caserio will have to accelerate Houston’s rebuild.
MORE: Full 2023 NFL Draft order — who owns the No. 1 pick going into Week 9?
Texans draft picks 2023
The Texans are currently slated to have the most picks in the 2023 NFL Draft. They have 11 selections overall, including two first-round picks and two third-round selections. They could make five picks within the top 100 selections of the draft.
Houston’s excess of draft capital on Days 1 and 2 comes from the Deshaun Watson trade. The Browns sent 2023 first- and third-round picks to the Texans as part of that deal, among other assets.
MORE: Full Deshaun Watson trade details
The Texans will reap the benefits of that trade along with a few sixth-round picks they have received in deals centered around Ross Blacklock, Keion Crossen and Bradley Roby.
Below is a rundown of all 11 of the Texans’ selections:
- First-round pick (own)
- First-round pick (via Cleveland in Deshaun Watson trade)
- Second-round pick (own)
- Third-round pick (own)
- Third-round pick (via Cleveland in Deshaun Watson trade)
- Fourth-round pick (own)
- Fifth-round pick (own)
- Sixth-round pick (own)
- Sixth-round pick (via Vikings in Ross Blacklock trade)
- Sixth-round pick (via Saints in Bradley Roby trade)
- Sixth-round pick (via Giants in Keion Crossen trade)
Interestingly, the Texans’ excess picks have all come from the team trading a player to another team, not moving down in any draft to pick up extra selections. If they continue to wheel and deal, then they could receive even more picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, during which they may have the No. 1 overall selection.
They will not, however, be getting any extra resources when compensatory picks are rewarded.
NFL MOCK DRAFT: Who do the Texans get with two top-10 picks?
Why the Texans won’t get compensatory picks in 2023
The Texans will not receive any compensatory picks in the 2023 NFL Draft. They didn’t lose any big-money free agents and brought in plenty of money via players on short-term deals. So, they won’t qualify to land those extra selections.
It’s also notable that the Texans won’t be receiving a compensatory pick for hiring Lovie Smith. Why? ABC News explains that Smith doesn’t meet either of the conditions required by the Rooney Rule to receive compensation.
Because Smith is not leaving for another team and has not been on Houston’s staff for two years, the Texans will not receive compensation.
In other words, the Texans didn’t really develop Smith, as he had only been with the team for one year before being hired. Had they waited an extra year, they would have received two third-round picks for naming Smith their head coach.
MORE: Sporting News’ big board for 2023 NFL Draft
Where will the Texans pick in the 2023 NFL Draft?
It’s too early to say for sure, but heading into Week 9, the Texans’ two first-round picks are both projected to be in the top 10 of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Houston’s own pick is currently slated to be the No. 2 overall selection. The Texans are 1-5-1 on the year while the Lions are 1-6, a half-game worse than Houston.
That said, if the Texans lose to the undefeated Eagles in Week 9 (likely) and the Lions beat the Packers (possible), Houston could leapfrog Detroit and be in the driver’s seat for the top overall selection. Suffice to say, things could change as the season winds to a close.
As for the pick going from the Browns to the Texans, that is currently the No. 9 overall selection. Cleveland has slumped to begin the season and is just 3-5 after beating the Bengals on “Monday Night Football.”
However, with Watson set to return as soon as Week 13 against the Texans, Cleveland’s record could get better quickly to end the season. So, Houston’s own selection remains the more valuable of the two picks.
