If confidence were a draft strategy, the Texans would have aced it. Jackson Slater at pick No. 79 is 68 spots clear of where he belonged. They moved the roster forward and banked a B- for it.

They will regret leaving edge rusher for another day if the season turns on it. Getting Mafah where they did is the sort of value that quietly makes a class. They came away with juice, if not much beef up front.

Bottom line, more hits than misses and a roster nudged the right way.