Breaking down Texans’ picks in Dane Brugler’s 7-round mock draft

The 2024 NFL draft is just over a week away, and the Houston Texans are sitting in a prime position to land one of the top players on Day 2.

Even without a first-round pick, Houston’s built to win a championship. Headlined by a breakout season under Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud, the Texans went all in this offseason building on around his rookie contract, adding high-profile names like running back Joe Mixon and Pro Bowl receiver Stefon Diggs.

Despite losing leading tackler Blake Cashman and top sack artist Jonathan Greenard, Houston found immediate replacements in Azeez Al-Shaair and four-time Pro Bowler Danielle Hunter. Al-Shaair, a former protege under DeMeco Ryans, is coming off a career year with the Tennessee Titans, totaling 163 tackles. Hunter, a native of Katy, led the NFL in tackles for loss (23.5) and finished top-five in sacks (16.5) in his final year with the Minnesota Vikings.

Defensive tackle and cornerback remain the team’s two most significant weak points. Both should be addressed somewhere between the nine picks starting Friday evening when the Texans make their first selection at pick No. 42. And general manager Nick Caserio has been aggressive in securing talent, making over a dozen trades in three different drafts.

The Athletic’s Dan Brugler released a seven-round mock draft where the Texans addressed multiple needs on Day 2. He also secured up-and-coming prospects who could be diamonds in the rough on Day 3.

Here’s a breakdown of the players sent to Houston: