The Houston Texans have taken two of the NFL’s best teams — the Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs — to the brink over the past two games. Nonetheless, the Texans are on the cusp of getting the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft based on the outcomes of Week 16’s action.
While Houston is the overwhelming favorite to land the No. 1 pick, the Chicago Bears have an outside chance of spoiling the party and claiming the draft’s first selection.
Plus, there are really “out there” scenarios where the Seahawks [via the Broncos], Cardinals, Lions [via the Rams], or Colts claim the No. 1 pick. But if the Texans lose to the Titans this Saturday on Christmas Eve (or any of their three remaining games), all of those non-Chicago nuttier-than-squirrel-turd scenarios evaporate.
How Do the Texans Clinch the No. 1 Pick in the 2023 NFL Draft?
One Week 16 happenstance makes this a black-and-white proposition: Texans lose (@ Titans), Bears win (vs. Bills). If this were to happen, the Texans would emerge with the first pick of the NFL draft. A Texans + Bears loss in Week 16 would push the race into Week 17. If both teams were to lose in Week 17, Houston would have rights to the No. 1 pick.
However, Houston has been gritty lately. A victory against Tennessee in Week 16 would convolute the Texans’ first-pick-clinching capabilities going into their home contest against the Jaguars in Week 17.
Who Might the Texans Target First Overall?
Stay put and draft a quarterback or trade down for a king’s ransom (assuming that offer exists)? That’s the question for the Texans.
The Davis Mills experiment failed in Year 2. Higher-ceiling prospects exist in the ’23 draft cycle. Who will be the Texans’ flavor? The poise and creation ability of Bryce Young? A pocket-passing gunslinger like C.J. Stroud? Or maybe they chase the traits and go after Anthony Richardson?
MORE: NFL Playoff Scenarios Week 16
Nonetheless, Nick Caserio and Co. may deem the supporting cast not ready to surround a rookie signal-caller. Eschewing a quarterback this year in favor of a veteran free agent QB could be worth the risk if the asking price allows Houston to develop a well-rounded, complementary roster.
The Texans can go in a lot of directions in the 2023 NFL Draft. What would you do? Take a spin on PFN’s free Mock Draft Simulator and make all the decisions.