Top 10 Targets: Texans 2023 Draft Board Ahead Of Round 2
HOUSTON — The Houston Texans had an impressive first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. The Texans drafted Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud with the No. 2 pick. Houston then packaged its No. 12 selection and a few others to the Arizona Cardinals to draft Will Anderson Jr. with the No. 3 pick.
The Texans will enter Day 2 of the draft with two picks (No. 65 and No. 73) in the third round. But despite losing their No. 33 selection in their pursuit of Anderson, general manager Nick Caserio has not ruled out the possibility of trading back into the second round.
"We'll go back and kind of see what's left, understanding there's probably going to be another 30-ish, 35 players that are probably selected before we pick," Caserio said. "Could we move from 65 into the second round? That's a possibility, but that's going to be player driven. I think we've identified players that we like. We also understand we're going to lose players. That's the reality of it."
Here are 10 candidates the Texans could target entering Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Jonathan Mingo, WR, Ole Miss:
The Texans have their future franchise quarterback in Stroud. But to put their rookie quarterback in the best situation, Houston must address its subpar wide receiver corps.
Wide-out Jonathan Mingo from Ole Miss is arguably the best wide receiver on the draft board. Mingo has the best combination of speed and physicality for a nightmarish match-up for Houston's opposing teams.
Mingo is coming off his most impressive senior season, where he caught 51 balls for 861 yards and five touchdowns for the Rebels.
Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia:
Darren Fells was the last 6-foot-7 tight end the Texans possessed. It came during the 2019 campaign. And while playing alongside quarterback Deshaun Watson, Fells helped the Texans go 10-6.
Following the draft selection of Stroud, the Texans have an opportunity to land another 6-foot-7 tight end in Georgia's Darnell Washington.
Washington is a prospect who can be an asset in the passing game for Stroud. But He could also benefit second-year running back Dameon Pierce and the rushing attack. Washington scored an 81.3 run-blocking grade while helping running backs Daijun Edwards and Kenny McIntosh rush for a combined 1,598 yards.
Joe Tippmann, C, Wisconsin:
The Texans' current offensive line is nearly ideal. Houston has a pair of cornerstone tackles in Tytus Howard and Laremy Tunsil. And due to the ongoing improvements of second-year prospect Kenyon Green, Houston's guard play will be better when considering the acquisition of Shaq Mason.
But the Texans still have a void at center. And the addition of Wisconsin's Joe Tippmann could make for a perfect marriage.
Tippmann has proven to be an exceptional pass and run blocker throughout the 2022 college season, where he finished with an overall grade of 78.7. In 758 snaps, Tippmann gave up just one sack — his first in three seasons.
Keeanu Benton, DT, Wisconsin:
With a pair of third-round picks and Caserio's willingness to trade back into the second round, the Texans can double-dip in Wisconsin's program to address another significant need.
Keeanu Benton, along with the pairing of Anderson, could bring instant enhancements to Houston's defensive front. The 21-year-old defensive tackle is an exceptional pass rusher who registered 11 quarterback hits and 6.0 sacks this past season.
But Benton, who graded a 65.2 in run defense, could be the key to helping Houston improve their subpar run defense, which gave up an average of 156.2 yards on the ground the previous two seasons.
Tyrique Stevenson, CB, Miami:
The last two drafts have been about establishing foundational building blocks for the future. With their first pick (No. 3 overall) in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Texans received a foundational piece in cornerback Derek Stingley Jr.
Houston has a No. 2 cornerback in Steven Nelson entering next season. But when looking ahead, defensive back Tyrique Stevenson could be a great pairing alongside Stingley, who recorded seven pass deflections, two interceptions and 1.5 sacks last season.
Other prospects the Texans could target during Day 2:
Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennesse
Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa
John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnestoa
B.J. Ojulari, LB, LSU
Gervon Dexter, DT, Florida
You can follow Coty M. Davis on Twitter at @CotyDavis_24
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