The Houston Texans shored up most of their needs in free agency. All that is left for them to fill in the 2023 NFL draft is quarterback, receiver, and defensive end. Center arguably could be the fourth need worthy of a selection.
What about cornerback?
According to Tyler Forness from the Vikings Wire, the Texans use their second Round 1 pick to take Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon in his latest mock draft.
The Texans could go just about anywhere here and make a good selection for their team, but cornerback is a need opposite Derek Stingley. They get a missile of a football player in Witherspoon who will help that secondary immediately.
Going with a cornerback would hardly be a good selection given more pressing needs that could be addressed with the extra first-rounder — thanks to the 2022 offseason trade with the Cleveland Browns. Ohio State wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba is on the board along with TCU receiver Quentin Johnston and USC’s Jordan Addison, and the Texans are picking a cornerback while Steven Nelson is still under contract.
Even though the selection may be suspect, where the Vikings Wire mock is in tune with what general manager Nick Caserio would do is the selection itself. Houston picks Witherspoon at No. 13 overall after moving back with the New York Jets one place to help them grab Georgia tackle Broderick Jones. All it cost the Jets was Nos. 12 (Round 1) and 111 (Round 4) overall. Such a move would give the Texans eight Day 3 choices, which would also be enough to build packages to move up to take specific players.
The Texans take Alabama quarterback Bryce Young No. 2 overall in the mock. In Round 2, Houston selects Georgia Tech defensive end Keion White with the 33rd overall pick.
