Watch The Throne – Houston Texans 2024 Draft Profile

Not too many teams can say they beat the odds like the Houston Texans did last season. They fielded a rookie head coach, rookie offensive coordinator and rookie quarterback, yet still won their division and a playoff game.

They enter 20224 with a wealth of draft picks and a plan to stay on the throne of the AFC South.

 

T’Vondre Sweat, DL, Texas

Jalen McMillan, WR, Washington

Andru Phillips, CB, Kentucky

 

Houston has a good roster with depth at almost every position, which bodes well for them coming into a stacked 2024 draft. Despite that, they have free agents at some key positions and aging players that will be moving on sooner rather than later.

One of said players is veteran defensive lineman Sheldon Rankins, who is an unrestricted free agent this off-season.

Replacing Rankins won’t be easy, but they have options in their own backyard. T’Vondre Sweat is a massive human being with as high a ceiling as the Burj Khalifa. Sweat tested very well at the NFL Combine and for a 366lb human, he moves like water. Plugging him into the middle of this Demeco Ryans front would give Houston a interior presence that can simply wreck games.

Sweat is a top talent and in such a deep class will fall right into the laps of Houston.

Houston also has to get their young franchise quarterback, C.J. Stroud, weapons to continue to build on a stellar rookie campaign. Nico Collins emerged as a top target, and Tank Dell looked like a bona fide stud prior to his injury. Adding another receiver on the perimeter will be too hard to pass up.

Jalen McMillan is a technician at the receiver position, possessing smooth route running and strong hands. In his time at Washington McMillan caught over 164 passes for 2,143 yards and 17 touchdowns. The most impressive part of that being that he caught 164 passes on 255 targets, which is a whopping 64% catch percentage. Providing Stroud with that sort of dependable target would elevate the Texans offense to new heights in 2024.

In the third round, Houston should look to get depth that develop into starting contributors later on. The one position where they will have to make a decision is cornerback as veteran Steven Nelson is 31-years old and an impending free agent.

Drafting Nelson’s replacement is two fold – you get a young piece to pair with Derek Stingley Jr. in the future and can still bring Nelson back as a veteran mentor. Getting a player that has similar qualities would be the most logical choice.

That player is none other than Kentucky product Andru Phillips. Phillips has almost identical physical traits in comparison to Nelson, and fits the multiple coverage scheme of this Texans’ defense. He can play on the boundaries possessing good strength at the point of attack or in the slot with his loose hips.

Phillips would be able to gain experience, while not having to be thrust into the fire immediately. This would allow the Texans to get good production from a young player, while also keeping their window open with experienced veterans on the depth chart.

The Texans have entered the conversation as one of the teams to watch, and with that comes the pressure to improve. They can keep the crown with a good draft in April and ascend to new heights.