Houston Texans Bolster Defense, Receiving Corps in Three-Round NFL Mock Draft

The Houston Texans will need to add impact players if they're going to leap into the next tier of AFC contenders. Did they do so in Luke Easterling's three-round NFL mock draft?

It may not be possible for the Houston Texans to come away with a better haul in the 2024 NFL Draft than they had last season. With last year’s class bringing in two top-three picks – and two immediate stars – along with standout receiver Tank Dell, Houston will be dealing with fewer resources than drafts of years past.

However, that doesn’t mean high-level talents can’t find their way to the Texans. General manager Nick Caserio’s job may be more difficult this time around, but delivering another strong class would make Houston’s cap situation that much healthier.

In Luke Easterling’s latest three-round NFL mock draft, the Texans attempt to patch up some holes and better prepare themselves for the gauntlet that is the AFC playoffs.

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With Houston’s first-round pick, 23rd overall due to the Deshaun Watson trade, went toward shoring up the defensive line. Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II offers them a versatile, powerful force to complement the team’s dangerous edge rushers.

“They need a disruptive force like Murphy to wreak havoc on opposing offenses,” Easterling wrote.

Murphy is both explosive and strong at the point of attack, making him a suitable replacement for interior defensive lineman Sheldon Rankings, should he depart in free agency.

With the 59th pick, Easterling tabs Louisville cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. for the Texans.

Brownlee may reside a tier or two below some of the class’ top defensive backs, but he shouldn’t be discounted as an option for Houston. Veteran corner Steven Nelson may depart, opening a hole on the boundary, but this defense has a need inside, too.

Few corners in this class offer more physicality than the Louisville star, and while he doesn’t project as a turnover machine, his technical proficiencies have his stock on the rise.

Texans Add Help to QB C.J. Stroud and DE Will Anderson Jr. in Mock NFL Draft

The Texans finally address the offense with the 86th pick, courtesy of the Philadelphia Eagles. Houston’s third-rounder was included in the Anderson trade last offseason.

While the offensive line is a concern, adding another quality pass catcher to Stroud’s arsenal is incredibly enticing. It’s a passing league, and those best equipped to dice up strong pass defenses can separate themselves with explosive plays. Here, Houston takes Florida receiver Ricky Pearsall Jr.

Pearsall isn’t an elite talent falling deep into Day 2, but he meshes exceptionally well with quarterback C.J. Stroud’s game. He’s capable of making acrobatic catches and is comfortably working over the middle of the field and in traffic. He would amplify Stroud’s aggressive tendencies and allow offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik to move receiver Tank Dell around the formation.