The Houston Texans had one of their biggest draft classes with nine selections in the 2023 NFL draft.
With such a collection of draftees, it would appear the Texans are on their way to filling out their entire 90-man roster. However, general manager Nick Caserio said after the draft that the team wanted to keep some spots open for flexibility.
“I think with the draft we ended up with, call it, 76, 77 [players on the roster],” Caserio said. “That would leave a dozen-ish or so spots. Probably get 10 or 11 [undrafted free agents], so maybe leave a few spots for whomever. This way if there’s an opportunity out there, whether it’s now, whether it’s next weekend, or whether it’s throughout the course of the spring that we feel we could fit, then you leave yourself some flexibility.”
Caserio indicated that the Texans “likely won’t go all the way to 90 [players on the roster] today.”
The Texans will get some flexibility with one roster spot. Defensive lineman Adedayo Odeleye, who is their international developmental player, will now be a part of the team but not count against their roster.
Said Caserio: “We theoretically can add 91 players because he’s one extra; probably leave ourselves a little bit of flexibility here in the event there’s an opportunity to add a player we think could help.”
Having open roster spots to work with would allow the Texans opportunities to bring in veterans to bolster positions that take attrition throughout training camp.