Why the Texans traded out of the first round: ‘We feel like that’s where the sweet spot of the draft is this year’

ORLANDO, Fla. – When the Texans traded away their first-round draft pick to the Minnesota Vikings, they did so with the ambition of adding more quality players by stockpiling extra selections.

That was the logic behind the Texans trading the 23rd overall pick of the draft and a seventh-round selection to the Vikings in exchange for the 42nd overall pick , a sixth-round selection, 188th overall, and a 2025 second-round draft pick.

• Texans RB1 Joe Mixon signs $27 million deal after ‘shocking’ trade from Bengals: ‘Got the right things here cooking’

Now, the Texans, coming off an 11-8 season, and acquiring Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter for two years and $51 million in free agency, and trading for and signing Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon to a three-year, $27 million extension, have made another roster-shaking move.

In a deeper draft, it’s a depth-building kind of transaction. The Texans can still address needs at defensive tackle, cornerback, wide receiver and safety.

“The thought process behind moving back in the draft is just we feel like in this draft there’s really a large amount of players in that second, third, fourth round,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said during the NFL owners meetings Monday morning. “There’s a lot of guys that we feel can come in and help our team. I would say that’s where the sweet spot of the draft is this year. We’re excited about that move and we feel like we can add some really quality players to our team.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.