Everything is bigger in Texas, including the expectations for the Houston Texans in 2024.
Good, the AFC South champions are looking to have a target on their backs. It means people are paying attention.
After months of reviewing the film, meeting with prospects and finalizing trades, general manager Nick Caserio and coach DeMeco Ryans can sit back and unwind. Well, at least for a few weeks before rookie minicamp arrives and it’s back to the gridiron of well past the 9-5 hours.
Caserio cooked, Ryans rocked with it and the Texans took charge over two days during the 2024 NFL draft. Houston entered draft weekend with nine picks and walked out with nine prospect, though the path to securing the talent drastically differed over three trades from Caserio.
See fans, he kept his word in the end.
The Texans have few short-term holes. They’re building past 2024, and a handful of prospects should be viewed as cornerstones alongside players like C.J. Stroud, Will Anderson Jr., Nico Collins, Tank Dell and Derek Stingley Jr.
“We like all the guys that we were able to pick,” Ryans said early Saturday evening. “We want to work with these guys. We’re fired up about it.”
Let’s take a look at the Texans’ entire 2024 draft class (including the undrafted free agents):
Pick: Round 2, Pick No. 42
Breakdown: A solid cornerback who loves contact and should factor into a starting role immediately. While he might start his career off in the nickel, the 6-foot defensive back could easily play on the edge and thrive in Ryans’ man coverage scheme. — Cole Thompson
Fit: A Day 1 nickel defender known for the ability to ruin a quarterback’s [and receiver’s] day. Starting inside Year 1 who should move to the boundary this time next season.
Quote: “You just talk about a guy who is a leader, a guy who works hard. He’s everything that our team is about. You talk about everything being relentless and attacking. With the relentless mindset every single day, that’s what Kamari brings.” – Texans coach DeMeco Ryans
Texans Wire’s Grade: A-
Pick Recap: Kamari Lassiter Draft Profile
Pick: Round 2, Pick No. 59
Breakdown: A long-term option on the offensive line at tackle. Fisher likely is best served as a right tackle, but he did make history as the first freshman to start at Notre Dame. He needs to improve as a pass-protector but given his upside in run-blocking and the injury concerns on the offensive line, Fisher has a chance to start part-time in 2024 and full-time next season. — Cole Thompson
Fit: A high-ceiling, mid-floor offensive lineman known for the ability to win as a run blocker. Future stater with Pro Bowl upside at right tackle.
Quote: “Good football player. Started his career at left tackle. Moved over there to right tackle. I think we’ve always been a big believer you can’t have enough tackles on your football team.” – Texans general manager Nick Caserio
Texans Wire’s Grade: B-
Pick Recap: Blake Fisher Draft Profile
Pick: Round 3, Pick No. 78
Breakdown: A rangy playmaker on the back end, Bullock should fill a role part-time in 2024, but start as Jimmie Ward’s likely replacement in 2025. He’s not going to offer much on Day 1 as a run defender, but the Texans drafted him for his coverage skills. This is a safety who totaled nine interceptions and 15 pass breakups during his tenure as a two-time All-Pac-12 standout. So long as he can add a bit of weight, this might end up being a steal and Houston’s best pick. — Cole Thompson
Fit: A developmental prospect known for coverage skills and ability to make plays deep in coverage. Future starter at free safety.
Quote: “Some of his best football probably is in front of him. He needs to get stronger. He’d be the first to tell you that. I think there’s some developmental opportunities with him relative to his frame. You are talking about a guy that is 6’2″, 190 pounds, ran 4.5 that moves well for his size, plays the ball, is instinctive, is an eraser in the deep part of the field.” – Texans general manager Nick Caserio
Texans Wire’s Grade: A
Pick Recap: Calen Bullock’s Draft Profile
Pick: Round 4, Pick No. 123
Breakdown: Who cares if he’s the second tight end behind newly-extended Dalton Schultz? Stover arguably was the second-best prospect at his position in the class after a breakout season in Columbus. What’s crazy is he’s still learning the position after starting off his Ohio State career as a linebacker. He was coming into his own with Stroud, and now reunites with him in Houston. The Texans love running 12-personnel, so Stover is going to have a prominent role in the offense past 2024. — Cole Thompson
Fit: A developmental prospect with high upside as No. 1 red zone threat up as tight. Potential starter in 12-personnel with TE1 mentality.
Quote: “Cade is a good example of a player that only played tight end for two years. He’s certainly not a finished product. He has the mindset and work ethic to improve. How he was raised. This guy is everything you want in a football player and then more…Blue-collar as they come. Makeup, traits, toughness, mentality, this is an elite guy.” – Texans general manager Nick Caserio
Texans Wire’s Grade: A+
Pick Recap: Cade Stover’s Draft Profile
Pick: Round 6, Pick 188
Breakdown: It’s a hit-or-miss pick. Hill has a chance to be a promising sub-package linebacker with a prominent role on speical teams. He also could end up being only used on special teams because he doesn’t translate full-time to linebacker. Day 3 picks, especially project ones are risky to determine their roles, but Hill has potential given his time in Eugene — Cole Thompson
Fit: A developmental prospect with promising upside on special teams. Potential secondary linebacker and top-level special teams playmaker.
Quote: ” I’ll do whatever they want me to do on special teams,” Hill said in a Zoom interview after being drafted by the defending AFC South champions. “I think that will be my path my first few years in the NFL. I’m just happy. I’m overwhelmed. I’m happy to be a Texan. The best part of my game is running and attacking.” – Texans sixth-round pick Jamal Hill
Texans Wire’s Grade: B
Pick Recap: Jamal Hill’s Draft Profile
Pick: Round 6, Pick 205
Breakdown: Confidence won’t be a problem for the 5-foot-9 running back, who tweeted out after his selection “Steal of the draft.” There’s a ton to like about his upside as a pass-catcher and special teams player, but the size is concerning. Houston needed to make the selection given the run on rushers, so credit the job by Caserio. Jordan might be the “steal” of special teams if he can secure the kick returner role while rotating in as the third rusher. — Cole Thompson
Fit: A developmental prospect with promising upside on special teams. Potential secondary runner and Pro Bowl-caliber returner.
Quote: ” I’ve always been underrated,” Jordan said. “People have counted me out a lot. Even this past season, I wasn’t listed as one of the top running backs. I know when it’s all said and done, I will be one of the greatest.” – Texans running back Jawhar Jordan
Texans Wire’s Grade: B
Pick Recap: Jawhar Jordan’s Draft Profile
Pick: Round 7, Pick 238
Breakdown: After six years in college, Byrd has nothing left to prove. He’s likely a rotational defensive lineman just looking to prove there’s a home for him at the next level. He flashed at USC, so the potential is there, but he’ll likely be competing with Dylan Horton as the No. 4 edge rusher. — Cole Thompson
Fit: A developmental prospect who likely serves as a rotational edge rusher.
Quote: ” I’m a dynamic pass-rusher who can push those guys in that room to get better every day.” – Texans edge rusher Solomon Byrd
Texans Wire’s Grade: B-
Pick Recap: Solomon Byrd’s Draft Profile
Pick: Round 7, Pick 247
Breakdown: Anytime you can land a former All-SEC defender in Round 7, you’ve landed a promising player. Harris is an undersized three-tech, but the Texans love pass-rushing interior linemen. The 6-foot-2 Tiger is a gap-shooting lineman who can get penetration as a run defender and offer upside in the pressure department. It’s hard not to like the selection given the value and upside — Cole Thompson
Fit: A developmental prospect who likely serves as a rotating run-stuffer on third downs. Promising backup who could start in a pinch with time.
Quote: “I’m a physical, hard-working defensive lineman that likes to make plays behind the line of scrimmage…I feel like the SEC is the hardest division in college. I think playing in the SEC was huge for me.” – Texans defensive tackle Marcus Harris
Texans Wire’s Grade: A-
Pick Recap: Marcus Harris’s Draft Profile
Pick: Round 7, Pick 249
Breakdown: When in doubt, beef up the trenches. Henderson started for the national champs and will always be able to say his last college game will be at the house of his future NFL home. He offers value given his size, but he’ll need to improve with his pad level and footwork if he hopes to see the field. — Cole Thompson
Fit: A developmental prospect who could crack the active roster. Potential roster cut who begins career on practice squad.
Quote: ” We think Henderson can probably play inside, with the ability to bump out the tackle, like we talked about a little bit, tackle-centric and tackle-focused. We’ll see how it goes in the course of the spring, and then once we get in training camp, for sure.” – Texans GM Nick Caserio
Texans Wire’s Grade: C+
BYU LB Max Tooley
UNC RB British Brooks
South Dakota State WR Jadon Janke
South Dakota State WR Jaxon Janke
Virginia Tech DL Pheldarius Payne
Illinois LB Tarique Barnes
Breakdown: There’s a good chance none of them make the final 53-man squad, but I’ll be on Tooley as the last man standing. He’s coming off his best season in Provo with 92 total tackles and an interception. He’s a hard hitter and translated well to the Big 12. Linebacker also could use another name, — Cole Thompson