HOUSTON – The Texans dealt their last first round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to the Vikings back in March, which means they won’t make a selection tonight unless they trade back in. Even though the Texans might not call a name at the podium in Detroit tonight, they still have a history of making splash picks on the first night of the draft.
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2023 2nd overall pick: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
After several years of uncertainty at the most important position in football, the Texans hit a home run with the second pick in 2023. C.J. Stroud was a human highlight reel in his rookie campaign, and he led the Texans to their first AFC South division title and playoff win since 2019. For his efforts, he was named 2023 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year and earned a Pro Bowl nod. It’s safe to assume the Texans have their quarterback of the future.
GRADE: A+
2023 3rd overall pick: Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama
Right after selecting Stroud, the Texans shocked the NFL world by trading up to the very next pick to draft Will Anderson Jr., who many viewed as the top defensive player in the draft. Like Stroud, Anderson lived up to the hype, tallying 7.0 sacks and wreaking havoc in opposing backfields. He was also invited to the Pro Bowl and named 2023 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. Another fabulous pick.
GRADE: A+
2022 3rd overall pick: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
In 2022, the Texans kicked off their night by selecting Derek Stingley Jr., the highly touted corner from LSU. Stingley battled injuries as a rookie, and the Texans faced backlash for selecting Stingley over Cincinatti standout corner Sauce Gardner, who made an immediate splash with the Jets. In his second year, Stingley proved his talent, pulling down five interceptions. He also earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors in Week 13 against the Broncos, recording two interceptions in the win.
GRADE: B
2022 15th overall pick: Kenyon Green, OG, Texas A&M
With their second first round pick in 2022, the Texans selected Humble-native offensive guard Kenyon Green. Green struggled in his rookie season, allowing four sacks and 12 quarterback hits in 15 appearances. While it’s not uncommon for NFL offensive linemen to struggle in their rookie seasons, Green suffered a shoulder injury in the 2023 preseason that ended his sophomore campaign before it even started. There’s still hope that he will elevate his game in year three, but this selection hasn’t been what the Texans had hoped for through two years.
GRADE: D+
2019 23rd overall pick: Tytus Howard, OT, Alabama State
The Texans made Tytus Howard the third offensive tackle to come off the board in the 2019 NFL Draft. Despite struggling with injuries and being asked to move around the offensive line in his first few seasons, Howard has been a solid contributor for the team. In June of 2023, he earned a lucrative extension with the Texans, inking a three-year, $56 million deal.
GRADE: B
2017 12th overall pick: Deshaun Watson, QB
The Texans paid a hefty price to move into the position to draft Clemson’s Deshaun Watson, trading two first round picks to the Browns to move up. After a torn ACL cut his rookie year short, Watson emerged as one of the most talented and productive quarterbacks in the NFL. He led the Texans to back-to-back AFC South division titles in 2018 and 2019, before holding out for a trade in 2020. After a season marred by disturbing off-the-field issues, Watson was dealt to the Browns for a haul of draft picks that included three first rounders. Although Watson’s tenure in Houston left an unpleasant legacy, the haul from his trade to Cleveland has been paramount in rebuilding the Texans.
GRADE: A-
2016 21st overall pick: Will Fuller V, WR, Notre Dame
The Texans selected Notre Dame speedster Will Fuller V with their first-round pick in 2016, hoping to create a dynamic duo with star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Fuller was great in spurts through his five seasons in Houston, but he struggled to stay on the field and never had a 1,000-yard season. The talent was there, but his production was definitely lower than expected for a first-round pick.
GRADE: C
2015 16th overall pick: Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest
The Texans made Wake Forest’s Kevin Johnson the second corner to come off the board in 2015. He made ten starts as a rookie and showed potential, but he never played a full season after that. When he was healthy, he struggled to earn consistent playing time in Houston’s secondary, and he was eventually released in 2019. With future Pro Bowlers Marcus Peters and Byron Murphy going later in the first round of the 2015 draft, the Texans would probably like to have this pick back.
GRADE: D
2014 1st overall pick; Jadeveon Clowney, EDGE, South Carolina
After winning just two games in 2013, the Texans earned the top pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. With that pick, they selected star pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney out of South Carolina, being wowed by his generational physical traits. After being slowed down by injuries in his first season, Clowney developed into an elite player, being named second-team All-Pro in 2016. He earned three straight Pro Bowl selections from 2016 to 2018. After five seasons in Houston, Clowney was traded to Seattle, and he has bounced around the league as a solid contributor since then. He was great in Houston for a few years, but his production was still somewhat underwhelming for a first overall pick.
GRADE: B-
2013 27th overall pick: DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson
Houston selected Clemson’s DeAndre Hopkins as a replacement for the legendary-but-aging wide receiver Andre Johnson. Those are lofty expectations for anyone, but Hopkins delivered on all fronts. In his seven seasons in Houston, Hopkins had over 1,000 receiving yards five times, five Pro Bowl selections, three first-team All-Pro selections and two second-team All-Pro selections. Although his tenure ended in a less-than-stellar trade to Arizona, he is unanimously viewed as one of the best pass-catchers in franchise history.
GRADE: A+