Texans Land Star Ohio State Duo In Mel Kiper Jr. ESPN NFL Mock Draft
The Houston Texans are set to make a pair of critical picks for the future of their franchise later this month in the first round of the NFL Draft.
Most expect the first of those picks at No. 2 overall to be a quarterback, while the Texans are widely believed to be eyeing a top-line wide receiver at No. 12 with their next pick to help that QB.
And according to ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr., that is exactly what Houston will do, selecting the star-studded Ohio State Buckeyes duo of C.J. Stroud and Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
2. Houston Texans
C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
There's not much buzz about the quarterback Houston would prefer in this class, but I have little doubt new coach DeMeco Ryans is going to get one here. This class of passers is just too strong at the top. As I've mentioned before, the Texans need a face of the franchise to sell their rebuild to fans. Stroud is a smooth thrower with advanced mechanics in a 6-3 frame. He has all the tools to be an All-Pro passer -- except for the talent around him. That's where Houston, which also owns the No. 12 pick in this draft, needs to help. I expect general manager Nick Caserio to be aggressive in trying to add playmakers in the draft and also in May, when a few veterans hit the open market.
A two-time Heisman finalist, Stroud is arguably the top passer in the class alongside Alabama's Bryce Young, with the pair being traded back in forth in mock drafts for the No. 1 overall pick.
While Stroud has been the top pick in the majority of those cases, Kiper has Young here, citing that Young is making a late move with the Panthers, per insiders Adam Schefter and Chris Mortenson.
And if that is indeed the case, Kiper also believes that pairing Stroud with his former teammate in Smith-Njigba would be a no-brainer for DeMeco Ryans and the Texans.
12. Houston Texans (via CLE)
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
This is the Texans' chance to take their pick of the wide receivers in this class, and we know Smith-Njigba can be a star with C.J. Stroud throwing him passes. What's not to like about this combo? Smith-Njigba has No. 1 wideout potential, but he's coming off a lost season because of a hamstring injury -- he caught five passes and ran 42 routes during the entire 2022 campaign. He showed he was healthy at the combine and I feel comfortable putting him in this range in Round 1. Houston has to add more talented pass-catchers. If it decides on another position, keep an eye on defensive line.
During their time together in Colombus, Smith-Njigba and Stroud has just one full season together.
However, in that season, Smith-Njigba caught 95 passes for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns in 13 games in 2021, helping lead Stroud to New York as a Heisman finalist.
And if the pair does end up in Houston, and they can recreate that production, the Texans could be in for a bright future.
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