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.
Houston Texans 2023 NFL Draft Class
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 last two classes. What’s more, the offensive coordinator and scheme have changed while Dell has been sidelined, favoring two tight end sets that would limit Dell’s opportunities to get on the field. Even if Dell does return to health and contribute in 2026, will the organization reward him with a new contract after the injuries he’s suffered? It’s an extremely murky situation and will be intriguing to see how much he could get on the open market if the parties do decide to part ways. For now, Dell remains the single biggest X-factor on this offense.
Dylan Horton remains one of the most unheralded players on the entire team. The backup DE has never started a game and only a half sack to his resume, but he has steadily increased his contribution each season. He’s now the clear third defensive end on the roster and plans to rotate in heavily to relieve the expensive and aging Danielle Hunter. He is in store for a bigger role this season and has the opportunity to earn a sizable second contract here.
For Hutchinson, he’s been the backup for Nico Collins allows the offense to maintain its physicality at the position when their WR1 is out. His frame and toughness have kept him in the lineup and made him valuable as an option in the middle of the field. As illustrated by PFF’s reception depth chart, Hutch’ is employed between the numbers to gain tough yardage on slant and dig routes. His two touchdown day against Baltimore helped solidify him in the offense as a great option in spread offense packages with four or five receivers.
However, he faces challenges to his role on the team and potentially his roster spot as a whole. Veteran Justin Watson remains a factor in this position group and could shake up the competition if he can wedge his way into the offense. Both Watson and Hutchinson contribute on special teams and are great run blockers. While Hutchinson is penciled in as a foregone conclusion, it’s hard to count out the former Super Bowl champion. If Hutchinson can win the spot and produce another consistent season, he should earn a team-friendly contract to stay as a depth piece.
C.J. Stroud’s upcoming season towers over every other storyline. It may be the most consequential year any Texans player has ever faced, because the team’s future and financial strategy hinge entirely on his performance. Stroud is currently the twenty‑fifth‑highest‑paid quarterback, earning a fraction of what top passers make. If he delivers at the level he showed as a rookie, he’ll belong in the fifty‑million‑per‑year tier. If his results remain opaque, Houston will delay the commitment and use the franchise tag. The direction of the franchise sits squarely with him, and everyone would prefer he cements himself as the answer rather than force the team into another reset.
Only thing we can do is watch this season play out.
