The Houston Texans emerged as a standout narrative in the NFL last year. They transformed from a struggling 3-13-1 team in 2022 to clinching their division title and securing a playoff victory in just one season. This remarkable turnaround was largely attributed to the strength of their 2023 draft selections. CJ Stroud and Will Anderson Jr. notably claimed Rookie of the Year honors for their exceptional performances on offense and defense respectively, yet the Texans’ success wasn’t solely reliant on them. Other key players such as Tank Dell, Juice Scruggs, and Jarrett Patterson made significant contributions to Houston’s achievements throughout the season.

The Texans aim to replicate their drafting triumphs this year. Unlike in 2023 when they had two first-round picks, this time around, they faced a tougher challenge without one. Nevertheless, they managed to execute several commendable decisions that promise to bolster their team both presently and in the long term. Among these choices, three stand out as particularly noteworthy.

Drafting Kamari Lassiter

Arguably, Houston’s most pressing need was to bolster their cornerback position. While Derek Stingley Jr. had already established himself as one of the league’s top young corners, the team required a complementary player. Last season, the Texans ranked 20th in the NFL in EPA (Expected Points Added) allowed per dropback, a statistic that underscored their defensive vulnerability. Among playoff teams, only the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, and Philadelphia Eagles fared worse in this aspect.

The addition of Kamari Lassiter should significantly improve this situation. Lassiter, who logged over 400 snaps last season, didn’t concede a single touchdown when targeted—a testament to his defensive prowess.

During the second round, Houston faced stiff competition for cornerbacks, with several teams maneuvering ahead of them to select Cooper DeJean and Kool-Aid McKinstry. However, Lassiter emerged as an excellent prospect in his own right, fulfilling a crucial need for the Texans. Securing him was a significant win for the team.

Drafting Blake Fisher

Amidst the Texans’ impressive performance last season, the significant injuries suffered by key offensive linemen went somewhat overlooked. Both starting tackles, Laremy Tunsil and Tytus Howard, along with starting left guard Kenyon Green, missed playing time due to injuries. While this didn’t seem to impede Stroud and the offense, it underscored the importance of reinforcing depth along the offensive line. The Texans addressed this need by drafting Notre Dame offensive lineman Blake Fisher.

Fisher predominantly played at right tackle for the Fighting Irish, with Joe Alt handling duties on the left side. Given Tunsil’s secure position at left tackle and Howard’s versatility to switch to that role if needed, strengthening depth on the right side was a sensible move. Fisher brings valuable skills to address this position.

Despite ranking tenth in the league in pass block win rate, the Texans struggled in run blocking, ranking 25th according to ESPN.com last year. Fisher’s addition is expected to provide an immediate boost to their running game once he gets his opportunities. Enhancing offensive line depth is always a prudent strategy, and Houston demonstrated astuteness in doing so by selecting Fisher in the second round.

Acquiring Stefon Diggs and an extra 2025 draft pick

Ahead of the NFL Draft last Thursday, the Texans were already thinking long-term. Originally holding Cleveland’s first-round pick (23rd overall) from the Deshaun Watson trade a couple of years prior, they opted to trade it to the Minnesota Vikings. In exchange, Houston acquired the 42nd pick in the second round (used on Lassiter), swapped a seventh-round pick for a sixth-rounder, and secured a 2025 second-round pick.

This move was significant as it allowed Houston to promptly trade the Minnesota second-round pick to the Buffalo Bills for Stefon Diggs. Additionally, they received a 2024 sixth-rounder and a 2025 fifth-round pick.

Although dropping from 23 to 42 might seem steep, it proved worthwhile for Houston. They still managed to land one of the draft’s premier cornerbacks in Lassiter while acquiring extra draft assets to facilitate the Diggs trade. Moreover, the Texans now boast an additional fifth-round pick as a result of their maneuvering. General manager Nick Caserio deserves credit for orchestrating these moves adeptly.