The Houston Texans’ 2023 draft class is officially in the final year of their rookie deals, and let me tell you, the evaluations are coming in hot. With franchise cornerstones C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr. already extended, it’s crunch time for the rest of those guys to prove they belong in Houston for the long haul. This isn’t just another draft class; these guys became the backbone of the Texans’ return to prominence in the AFC, no question about it.
It’s wild to think about, but Stroud, the second overall pick, is locked in with a fifth-year option, and Anderson Jr., the third overall pick, is extended all the way through 2030. That’s a massive commitment, showing just how much they mean to the team. This class has produced both elite talent and consistent role players, starting a mind-blowing 231 of 459 possible games. That’s a 50.3% start rate, by far the highest of any Texans draft class in the past decade. Seriously, that’s insane production. The only real stumble? Juice Scruggs, the second-rounder, was a massive bust and got cut. Tough break, but it happens.
What truly makes this class stand out are the Day Three contributors, the guys who usually fly under the radar. Henry To’oTo’o, a fifth-round pick, has developed into a starting linebacker, a fantastic counterpart to Azeez Al-Shaair. Jarrett Patterson, a sixth-rounder, has started 21 games himself. That’s one more start than Scruggs had, which just shows you. Patterson has been the answer when the offensive line hits that “break glass in case of emergency” scenario. However, his future is super murky; Houston went hard acquiring interior offensive linemen this offseason, trading for, re-signing, signing, and drafting talent, seemingly at his expense. Rosterology says he’s expected to miss the cut, which would be a huge letdown for a guy who started five games last year. He just hasn’t made the most of his chances, and that’s a brutal reality in this league. Then there’s Tank Dell, the dynamic wide receiver whose promising rookie season got cut short by injury. His situation is probably the most intriguing in the entire class.
So, here we are. These guys have one final season to earn a second contract, to cement their place. But first, they have to earn their spot on this 2026 team. For guys like Patterson and Dell, this season isn’t just about playing football; it’s about proving everything.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Battle Red Blog.
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