Who Would/Should/Could the Texans Trade Up for in the Draft Tonight?

The Texans are lurking outside the first but will they stay there?

Nick Caserio often refers to this time of the year around the NFL Draft as “silly season” because of the predictions, projections, and prognostication people outside NRG stadium get wrong about his team.

If it’s silly to get back into the first round Caserio might be thinking of being a clown in the potential circus of the 2024 NFL Draft’s first round. For the right player though, it’s far from silly and Caserio can quickly turn from Bozo to The Greatest Showman.

The Texans have 16 selections over the next two drafts with nine coming in 2024 and the other seven coming from next year’s draft. Nick Caserio has made 23 selections in his time as general manager and 18 of those have come via a selection the Texans acquired via trade.

Among those 18 selections, Caserio has traded up 10 times acquiring players like Nico Collins, Christian Harris, Will Anderson, Juice Scruggs, and Tank Dell.

Adding a player in the first round after beginning today without a selection is very much in the vein of how Caserio operates.

Who would that player be though?

Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry would make sense. He is pro-ready and might need a little time to get over a foot injury but could help the Texans as soon as he is healthy. He played ferocious man coverage for the Crimson Tide and was the best cornerback LSU’s Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. played against according to Nabers and Thomas Jr. He also has special teams success under his belt if he needs time to get used to the NFL.

Texans Draft Preview: Cornerbacks

Illinois defensive tackle Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton would also make sense. He is the second tier of defensive tackles before the second round is flooded with options. Should he slip to the end of the first his ability to rush the passer but also earn tackles for a loss is a worthwhile investment. He also blocked a lot of kicks in college so there is a small bonus of special teams to his game.

Texans Draft Preview: Defensive Tackles

Beyond those two I would have a hard time spending the assets needed to get into the first round. I’d rather let the board start to fall to me with multiple positions needing their depth addressed. Darius Robinson, some wide receivers, and maybe Tyler Nubin would be candidates for a trade-up in the second round, but I can’t see paying the price to jump into the first for many of them.

The 42nd overall pick is certainly in the deal and you’re likely dipping into either the pick in this year or next year’s third round to finish the deal. I would think a future pick is more likely, the Texans seem to love this year’s day two players.

Would 42nd overall, 188th overall, and next year’s third be too pricey for you? It allows the Texans to make three picks in the top 86 selections with one in each round and it preserves the picks in the fourth round to keep a small ability to move around for Caserio.

If Caserio has identified a player he can’t see passing up and the slip starts I won’t be surprised to see the Texans end up on the clock tonight.

Mock Draft for the Texans

Here is my mock draft of the first three picks the Texans have if they don’t trade up tonight.

42nd Overall - Iowa State Cornerback T.J. Tampa

Why: The Texans can’t pass up the long-term help and potential that Tampa provides. He needs fine-tuning so he won’t be on the field all the time right away but his length at the position along with some seasoning turns him into a nice player for the Texans.

Who I Wish Was Here: Missouri defensive end Darius Robinson shouldn’t be here but select him if he is and watch the opposing offensive lines shed tears as the Texans show up on their schedule.

59th Overall - Ohio State Defensive Tackle Michael Hall Jr.

Why: I can’t see the Texans leaving day two without a defensive lineman and Hall Jr. is a player who brings something the current defensive tackles don’t bring: pressure. His pressure rate was extremely high and he is still growing into the position. He might be a “reach” for some but he fills a need, can start, and be depth.

Who I Wish Was Here: Minnesota safety Tyler Nubin will be long gone, and maybe gone before 42 but if he slipped here pick him up and add him to centerfield in this defense, and watching the Texans will come with less holding of your breath on long passes.

86th Overall - Utah Safety Cole Bishop

Why: I debated between Bishop and Miami’s Kamren Kinchens here. I went with the more athletic player who can help on special teams right away and you can trust to do a lot of things at safety. Bishop will excel when the game is sent to him by his teammates at cornerback and on the defensive line and the Texans get an athlete with the potential to settle in nicely at safety for years to come.

Who I Wish Was Here: Rutgers cornerback Max Melton might go slightly before this and I would think that’s where Nick Caserio gets busy trading. Melton can play inside and outside and the explosiveness is a fun weapon for the position plus he’s a potential demon on special teams.

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