Texans: C.J. Stroud and the 2023 NFL Draft class are making fans forget about Deshaun Watson
By Hunter Haas
![Nov 5, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) walks off the field Nov 5, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) walks off the field](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4365,h_2455,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/25/01hetgscwqtdae26p1g3.jpg)
Round 2, No. 62 — Juice Scruggs, OL, Penn State
The Texans saw a gargantuan gap between selections after trading up to No. 3. When the team returned to the podium, Juice Scruggs, a Penn State offensive lineman, was the choice. Although Scruggs has been injured his entire rookie campaign, there is still plenty of promise for him going forward.
The Nittany Lion standout was picked on Day 2 for a reason, after all. He showcased polished footwork, contact balance, and power during the preseason. Assuming Scruggs can regain form physically and continue smoothing out his rough edges on the technical side, he will be a fixture on the front line for the foreseeable future.
A Hometown Prospect Is Making Waves For Texans; Looks Like A Major Steal From The 2023 NFL Draft
Round 3, No. 69 — Nathaniel “Tank” Dell, WR, Houston
The hometown product, Tank Dell, has been nothing short of special for the Houston Texans. Even with his compact frame, anybody who watched Dell with the Houston Cougars knew he played much bigger than the size indicates. And that has remained true on Sundays.
Dell is as explosive as they come, flexing unprecedented top-end speed and the ability to shake oncoming tacklers out of their shoes. His route running is surprisingly expansive for a player labeled as “slot only”. Most importantly, C.J. Stroud has formed a strong connection with the first-year wideout. Expect this duo to dominate the AFC South for years to come.