Battle Red Blog
The 2023 Texans draft class moves into the final year of their rookie deals, a natural inflection point for evaluating each player’s future with the team. With extensions already in place for C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr., the remaining players now face a season that will determine whether they fit into the Texans’ long‑term roster construction.
Round 1, Pick 2: C.J. Stroud – Quarterback (Ohio State) – EXTENDED via fifth-year option
Round 1, Pick 3: Will Anderson Jr. – Defensive End / Linebacker (Alabama) – EXTENDED through 2030
Round 2, Pick 62: Juice Scruggs – Center / Offensive Lineman (Penn State) – CUT
Round 3, Pick 69: Tank Dell – Wide Receiver (Houston)
Round 4, Pick 109: Dylan Horton – Defensive End / Defensive Lineman (TCU)
Round 5, Pick 167: Henry To’oTo’o – Linebacker (Alabama)
Round 6, Pick 201: Jarrett Patterson – Center / Offensive Lineman (Notre Dame)
Round 6, Pick 205: Xavier Hutchinson – Wide Receiver (Iowa State)
Round 7, Pick 248: Brandon Hill – Safety / Defensive Back (Pittsburgh) – CUT
This class has become the backbone of the Texans’ return to prominence in the AFC. Outside of the massive bust of Juice Scruggs, this class has produced both elite talent and consistent role players. They’ve started 231 of 459 possible games, a 50.3% start rate, by far the highest of any Texans draft class in the past decade.
What’s made this class stand out are the Day Three contributors. Henry To’oTo’o has developed into a starting linebacker and a great counterpart to Azeez Al-Shaair. Jarrett Patterson has started 21 games; one more than former second-rounder Juice Scruggs. Xavier Hutchinson has proven to be a capable rotational receiver who can block and contribute on special teams.
With their rookie deals coming to a close, they have one final season to earn a second contract. But first, they have to earn their spot on this 2026 team. That quest is most prevalent for center/guard Jarrett Patterson. He’s been the answer to the Texans all-too-often break glass scenario on the offensive line. He watched the Texans trade for, re‑sign, sign, and draft interior offensive linemen this offseason. Houston pursued every possible means to acquire talent at the expense of Patterson. According to the latest Rosterology, Patterson is expected to miss the cut. That would be a major letdown for a player who started five games last year. Unfortunately, he wouldn’t be in this position if he had made the most of his opportunities.
By far the most intriguing situation in this class is WR Tank Dell. A dynamic and promising rookie season was cut short by injury. His slow ascent back in his second year ended suddenly with a gruesome leg injury that took him out all of 2025. Now, he enters the final year of his contract with much to prove. The Texans have done equally as much to replace and mitigate the loss of Dell by drafting three WRs the...
