B-
Houston Texans
The Texans checked most of the boxes and earned a B-.
by Powerful ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 8 picks
· 2 steals
· 4 reaches
The move everyone will second-guess came early. The Texans reached some 62 spots for Blake Watson, and value like that does not grow back. It nets out to a B-, which feels about right.
Spending an early pick on DT-EDGE with edge rusher, interior defensive lineman and other spots open is the decision the grade keeps circling back to. For all the activity, edge rusher went untouched, which is hard to explain. The Odunze pick is the one they will point to when this weekend is judged.
All told, a solid class that does its job everywhere but edge rusher.
Pick-by-Pick
In the 28th pick they get a matchup problem out wide, outstanding value to boot. It fills the loudest need on the roster.
They zigged when the board said zag, taking Maason Smith at DT-EDGE with edge rusher, interior defensive lineman and other spots open.
Payton Wilson at pick No. 90 is a sound buy, the sort that quietly helps a class. It fills a real need, too.
No drama and no debate, Beau Brade went about where he belonged in the Round 4 slot. Not urgent, but hardly pointless.
Smael Mondon Jr. at No. 128 is the kind of overdraft that needs everything to break right. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.
Quietly one of the better values of the day, Nehemiah Pritchett at Round 5, Pick 18. Depth more than a fix, but depth they can use.
Value said wait; Benjamin Yurosek in No. 234 says they were not listening. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.
Blake Watson at Round 7, Pick 18 is an overdraft of the loud, memorable kind. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.