Texans To Select No. 23 Overall In 2024 NFL Draft

The Houston Texans are locked into the No. 23 selection regardless of Monday's outcomes.

The Houston Texans still await to know their opponent in the AFC Divisional Round, but at least they know they'll be kicking off at 3:30 p.m. CT in either Baltimore or Kansas City. 

Houston also knows when it'll be on the clock in the 2024 NFL Draft. 

The Texans will select No. 23 overall on April 25 regardless of the outcome of Monday's doubleheader. Houston secured the selection after defeating the Cleveland Browns 45-14 in the wild-card round Saturday at NRG Stadium. 

Houston traded Pro Bowl quarterback Deshaun Watson and a sixth-round pick to Cleveland at the start of the 2022 offseason in exchange for three first-round picks, a third-round pick, and two fourth-round picks. 

With the Browns now eliminated, the Texans can begin prep on their selection. 

Houston Texans tight end Brevin Jordan (9) celebrates their win against the Cleveland Browns in a 2024 AFC wild card game at NRG Stadium / Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland finished the regular season 11-6. Per the NFL draft rulings, the losing teams in the wild-card round pick between selections No. 19 and No. 24. 

The Dallas Cowboys, who finished second in the NFC with a 12-5 record, automatically claim the No. 24 pick with the top record of eliminated teams. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-8) and Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) remain in line to pick No. 19 and No. 20 should they lose to the Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills, respectively. 

The Los Angeles Rams (10-7) will pick either No. 19 or No. 20, depending on the outcome of Monday's NFC matchup in Tampa Bay. 

Buffalo, who also finished 11-6, finished with a worse conference record than Cleveland, meaning it would pick first with a loss. Per the NFL draft rules, Philadelphia would pick ahead of the Browns due to their head-to-head records with common opponents. 

The Miami Dolphins, another 11-6 roster, finished with a worse record than the Browns in the conference, meaning they'd pick first over Buffalo and Cleveland. 

While the Texans know where they'll select, the Arizona Cardinals are still waiting to find out their draft position for their second pick. Last April, Texans general manager Nick Caserio wanted to get aggressive in fortifying Houston's pass rush by adding Will Anderson Jr. out of Alabama.

Caserio traded the No. 12 pick, the No. 33 pick, Houston's 2024 first-round pick, and a third-round pick to move up nine spots and take Anderson at No. 3. Houston gambled by trading its first-round pick over Cleveland's to make sure it landed the star pass-rusher. 

The move benefitted both parties. Arizona added a second first-round pick for Jonathan Gannon to build his roster following a promising second season after going 4-13. Meanwhile, Anderson broke Houston's rookie sack record with seven takedowns. 

Houston could turn a multitude of directions with the selection depending on free agency. The Texans must decide if they will retain defensive end Jonathan Greenard, who's entering the final year of his rookie contract.  

Receiver Noah Brown, tight end Dalton Schultz, running back Devin Singletary and defensive lineman Sheldon Rankins also are set to hit free agency after productive seasons. 

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According to Spotrac, the Texans are projected to have $74 million in cap space, which would be the third most in the NFL. Houston also could look to extend Nico Collins after his breakout third season before he enters the final year of his rookie deal. 

Houston will travel for the Divisional Round but await the results of Monday's matchup in Buffalo to know the location. Should Buffalo win, the Texans would travel to M&T Bank Stadium for a rematch of Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens. 

Should Pittsburgh pull off the upset, Houston would travel to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the Kansas City Chiefs.