'Potent!' Houston Texans Draft 'Athletic' Defensive Lineman in Latest NFL Mock

The Houston Texans are projected to take a defensive lineman in Jer'Zhan Newton from the Illinois Fighting Illini.

The Houston Texans' season has come to a close, but the offseason could be an eventful one as they look to build on a surprisingly-successful campaign that featured 10 regular wins in 2023.

Part of the progression of the offseason will come with the 2024 NFL Draft, and according to a recent mock draft released by FanNation, the Texans are slated to take a defensive lineman in the first round from the Illinois Fighting Illini.

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Jer'Zhan Newton is projected to become the newest Texan when Houston utilizes the No. 23 pick in the draft, one it acquired from the Cleveland Browns. Newton spent all four of his college seasons with Illinois, and he had a productive year to cap off his career before coming to the NFL.

In 2023, he accumulated 52 total tackles (26 solo) and forced one fumble alongside 7.5 sacks. Here's what Athlon Sports had to say about Newton's draft stock:

"Newton enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2022 as a part of a ferocious Illini defense and returned for another go-round in an effort to further raise his stock as a prospect. We like his odds. If you like athletic defenders up front with a potent first step and surprising agility, you probably will as well."

Texans Regular Season Opponents Locked In For Next Season

A native of Clearwater, Florida, Newton was a three-star recruit out of high school, and he measures in at 6-foot-2 and 295 pounds.