In a massive switch on the NFL’s final regular season Sunday, the Houston Texans won and lost at the same time. By dramatically defeating the Indianapolis Colts, Houston lost the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and will now select second overall.
This 2023 Texans mock draft is indicative of the direction they can now shift their focus. In these scenarios, trades were active among others via the Mock Draft Simulator, but the Texans held steady and did not make any moves.
Latest Houston Texans 2023 NFL Mock Draft
Bryce Young, QB, Alabama | Round 1, Pick 2
It’s a quarterback or bust for the Texans with their first of two first-round picks. And as much as we’ll debate who is best for them now, the answer is Alabama QB Bryce Young for one major reason: His ability to create. Young put on a masterclass during his time with the Crimson Tide in such a feat. No matter the situation, a play is always alive with Young behind center.
Be gone with the size issues. Young plays bigger than his stature and elevates talent around him. He has every intangible you’d desire in a franchise quarterback and flat out wins. Houston moves in a new direction — a winning direction — with a new identity with Young’s selection.
Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech | Round 1, Pick 12
There are a bevy of ways Houston could go with their second first-round pick. Here, the options were limited after a run on wide receivers left Tyree Wilson as the highest-ranked player on the board.
MORE: Top 10 EDGEs in the 2023 NFL Draft
Wilson is an athletic freak and a monster of a man. Standing at 6’6″ and 276 pounds, Wilson can rush the passer from the edge or as far inside as he wants. The versatility he brings to the table is only matched by his three-down prowess.
O’Cyrus Torrence, G, Florida | Round 2, Pick 33
Betting on himself and exceeding even the loftiest of expectations, O’Cyrus Torrence put on a show at Florida this past season. A bully of a man, Torrence is as strong as an ox and tosses defenders at will.
He moves well on the ground and has terrific pass sets. Torrence is a starter from Day 1.
Marvin Mims, WR, Oklahoma | Round 3, Pick 65
Receiver was always high on the list of priorities, but with three Day 1 starters with their first three picks, drafting a receiver got pushed into the third round. Still, Marvin Mims is a potential steal at this point.
Mims has electric speed and can close to any football thrown his way. His catch radius is as big as anyone in the class, and he’ll mesh quite nicely with Young’s arm strength and accuracy.
Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State | Round 3, Pick 73
With Laremy Tunsil stationed on one side, the Texans have right tackle as a big spot of need. The second-best pure right tackle in the class is none other than Dawand Jones from Ohio State.
Jones is a mountain of a man, standing in at 6’8″, 359 pounds. And in 2022, Jones proved he was much more nimble on his feet than he showcased in 2021. He moves as well as you’d expect a man his size to, if not better, and is stronger than most for his size.
Balance issues may come into play right away for Jones at the NFL level, but he can get those worked out quickly, as he proved he could from 2021 to 2022.
Ricky Stromberg, C, Arkansas | Round 4, Pick 101
Like right tackle was, center is also a need for Houston. Ricky Stromberg is one of the most experienced players in this entire draft class and started every game over the past four seasons for Arkansas.
He’s a tank in the run game, plowing open holes at will. Stromberg also has great pass sets, and still, his best attribute may be his leadership qualities on the inside.
Dorian Williams, LB, Tulane | Round 5, Pick 133
Dorian Williams is the play here as the big man had a career year for Tulane in 2022. Williams is a pure middle linebacker with three-down capabilities that include rushing the passer, dropping into coverage, and stuffing the run.
He has game-changing size and speed, utilizing his frame and athleticism repeatedly during his Green Wave career. Williams showcased what makes him such a special talent against USC in the Cotton Bowl when he just simply took over in the second half. That’s what Texans fans can expect.
Zack Kuntz, TE, Old Dominion | Round 6, Pick 174
Old Dominion flew under the radar for the most part in 2022, but it was certainly hard to miss Zack Kuntz when he was on the field for the Monarchs. The former Penn State tight end had a dominant two-year career for ODU, even if it ended prematurely.
Kuntz should be healthy for minicamp and ready to put together a stellar rookie season with his strong hands and even stronger frame at 6’8″, 245 pounds.
Tiawan Mullen, CB, Indiana | Round 6, Pick 186
A former All-American as a freshman, Tiawan Mullen has shown to be a true lockdown cornerback during his collegiate career. Mullen has sticky coverage skills and is strong in man-coverage concepts.
He has plenty of fluidity and showcased great ball skills while at Indiana. Mullen may make an impact as early as Year 1 with eyes on lasting on the roster for years to come.
Zakhari Franklin, WR, UTSA | Round 6, Pick 191
A big-framed receiver with perhaps the draft class’ best high-pointing ability, Zakhari Franklin wowed in each of the past four seasons for UTSA. Somehow, Franklin checks in at just 6’1″ and 185 pounds, while his play on the field is much bigger.
He has slick routes and can physically dominate defenders in front of him. Franklin is also a big-time yards-after-the-catch threat once he has the ball in his hands.
Sydney Brown, S, Illinois | Round 6, Pick 192
Illinois and their secondary had a breakout year in 2022, and long-time Fighting Illini safety Sydney Brown was the catalyst. With six interceptions, Brown showcased his ability to play an old-school brand of coverage that is lost in the modern game. He’s safe with his shots, picking and choosing when to make the right play, and making highlight-reel plays look routine.
Brock Martin, EDGE, Oklahoma State | Round 7, Pick 215
A former well-decorated wrestler, few know how to balance their strength and frames the way Brock Martin does. Martin will completely overwhelm even the biggest linemen in front of him and has plenty of speed to beat others. In a situational pass-rushing role, there may be no better EDGE in this draft class.