Houston Texans continue to build around CJ Stroud in 7-round mock draft

The surprise team of the 2023 season was the Houston Texans who went from 3-13 in 2022 to their first winning season in four years and a playoff blowout win over the Cleveland Browns. The team is also just starting to scratch the surface of their potential.

The Texans are led by two young promising rookies in C.J. Stroud who was the Offensive Rookie of the Year, and Will Anderson Jr. the Defensive Rookie of the Year. They also got strong play from fellow rookie wide receiver Tank Dell who finished second on the team in receptions despite playing in only 11 games.

Houston has plenty of ammunition to upgrade their roster as well, as they currently rank seventh in terms of salary cap room. The team also has five picks within the top 150 selections, including two fourth-round selections. If the Texans can have another strong draft this year and spend wisely in free agency they should be one of the top three teams in the AFC South next year.

Round 1 Pick 23: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

The Houston Texans' biggest need this offseason might be at cornerback, depending on who leaves via free agency. Currently, the team has three of its top corners scheduled to be free agents including starting corner Steven Nelson. Last season, Nelson broke up 12 passes and had four interceptions. If the team loses him in free agency they will need to bring in someone to replace him.

An ideal replacement could be Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry, who I have rated as my top cornerback in the 2024 NFL Draft. The reason I am so high on him is his smart fundamentally sound play, which should allow him to start in the NFL from day one.