Three biggest concerns for Houston Texans before the draft

A 3-13-1 record last season hasn’t discouraged free agents from signing with the Houston Texans. GM Nick Caserio has put together one of the most underrated offseasons in the league, but his work doesn’t end there. The 2023 NFL Draft is April 27-29, and Houston’s strategy remains a mystery.

Here are the Texans’ three biggest concerns heading into the draft:

1. Can Caserio keep cooking? 

Laremy Tunsil, who recently signed the largest left tackle contract ever for the second time in his career, claims via NFL.com that Caserio is “cooking right now,” which is hard to dispute. Despite entering free agency with the fourth-most cap space, Caserio signed 17 free agents to team-friendly deals, including several starters.

Additionally, Caserio has been active in the trade market, acquiring Tampa Bay guard Shaq Mason to fill a need. For disgruntled receiver Brandin Cooks, Caserio picked up two picks, bringing his total to 12 in the draft.

Although Caserio has found gems in the later rounds, he has a questionable track record in the first round. His two first-round selections in 2022 are regrettable. He chose CB Derek Stingley Jr. one pick ahead of Defensive Rookie of the Year Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner and later drafted guard Kenyon Green, who had a terrible rookie season.

For the second consecutive draft, Caserio has two first-round picks (Nos. 2 and 12), and he cannot waste his promising offseason by making poor selections.

2.  Will the second pick actually be a quarterback?

According to The Score’s Jordan Schultz, Houston made a “serious” bid to trade for the No. 1 pick before Chicago dealt it to Carolina. In most cases, teams trade up for a quarterback, and this offseason’s signings suggest that Houston is preparing to take one.

However, was the failed trade attempt hinting that the Texans preferred Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, the betting favorite to be the first pick?

Caserio skipped Alabama’s Pro Day, staying local and attending the University of Houston’s Pro Day instead. It’s an interesting development, as it was QB Bryce Young’s first workout for teams this offseason. He didn’t participate in drills at the NFL Scouting Combine.

While this means Caserio didn’t see Young’s Crimson Tide teammate, outside linebacker Will Anderson Jr., the projected top-six pick revealed that Houston was the only top-30 visit he made. With scouts considering next year’s quarterback class as generational, will Houston pass on the position in April?

3. Will a true No. 1 receiver be added this offseason?

Even though Houston’s new-look receiving corps is an improvement from previous seasons, it still lacks a true No. 1 option. Caserio might have trouble finding a suitable trade candidate, a DeAndre Hopkins reunion seems unlikely and Broncos WRs Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton don’t exactly move the needle.

At pick No. 12, Houston could target Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba or elect to keep TCU’s Quentin Johnston in Texas. Last season’s hamstring issue won’t hurt Smith-Njigba’s draft stock. The Buckeye solidified himself as the top receiver in the class with a stellar 2021 season, during which he recorded 95 receptions for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns.

Johnston’s 6-foot-4, 208-pound frame and blazing speed make him a matchup nightmare at the next level. He was a catalyst for the national runner-up’s offense last season, accumulating 1,069 yards and six TDs.

Either pass-catcher would be a nice addition, and if Caserio takes a quarterback second overall, the selections could ease each other’s transitions to the NFL