The 2024 NFL Draft will take place from Thursday, April 25 through Saturday, April, 27 from Hart Plaza in Detroit. The Houston Texans will not be on the clock until Day 2, as it will make its first selection in the second round.
Oh, how fortunes can change in just one year. Houston was the surprise team of the entire league in 2023, winning the AFC South with a 10-7 record. This was the result of the organization nailing three critical moves last offseason: the hiring of head coach DeMeco Ryans, the selection of quarterback C.J. Stroud with the No. 2 pick, and the bold decision to trade up to the No. 3 pick to take defensive end Will Anderson Jr. They also got some neat surprises on offense, like wideout Nico Collins having a breakout year and rookie Tank Dell dazzling before breaking his leg in November.
Throw in the acquisitions of running back Joe Mixon and receiver Stefon Diggs this offseason and you get this once dysfunctional franchise turning into a real-deal AFC contender in the span of just 365 days. It will be interesting to see how they continue to stack roster depth in this year’s draft.
2024 Mock Draft: Houston Texans
Key Offseason Additions
WR Stefon Diggs
RB Joe Mixon
Edge Danielle Hunter
Edge Denico Autry
LB Azeez Al-Shaair
CB Jeff Okudah
Key Offseason Losses
RB Devin Singletary
OT George Fant
DT Maliek Collins
DT Sheldon Rankins
Houston’s First Three Picks
Houston decided to ship its first-round pick to Minnesota in exchange for a package that included a second-rounder for both this year and next year. So unless it trades up, it will have plenty of time to evaluate the landscape and what could be available on Day 2. The Texans could stand to add more depth to their defensive front seven, as well as adding another piece or two on the offensive line.
Round 2, Pick #42 — Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State
Since shipping off its first-rounder to Minnesota, a handful of draft experts have projected Houston taking Fiske at No. 42 and we’ll follow that trend. Spending the first four years of his college career at Western Michigan, he got to shine at FSU this past season by racking up 43 combined tackles, nine TFLs, and six sacks. He’s a bit undersized being a sub-300-pound defensive tackle, but he makes up for it with his quickness and turned heads when running a 4.78 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. Bleacher Report’s scouting department noted this as a positive, while noted that he needs to work on his hand movements.
Round 2, Pick #59 — Junior Colson, LB, Michigan
By the end of the second round, Houston could simply go best player available if it stays at No. 59. Here, it could at some weakside linebacker depth with the selection of Colson. He was a pure tackling machine for Michigan last season, leading the eventual national champions with 95 combined tackles and a team-high 44 solo takedowns. NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein recognized him for his upper-body strength and his lack of broken tackles, but noted that he needs to do a better job at playing downhill.
Round 3, Pick #86 — Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami
It’s anyone’s guess as to who could be available for Houston when it picks in the later stages of round three at No. 86. With veteran safety Jimmie Ward entering the last year of his deal, why not try to nab his replacement in Kinchens, who just so happens to be the No. 86 prospect according to NFL Mock Draft Database. Kinchens had a very productive three-year career at Miami, earning First-team All-American honors in 2022 with 59 tackles, six interceptions, and a forced fumble. Zierlein surmised that he has the toughness and instincts of an NFL safety, but his lack of speed is a concern.