The NFL Draft can quickly turn around a team's fate. That was more evident than ever last year, as a great draft class turned the Houston Texans from bottom-dwellers into Super Bowl contenders. The team took C.J. Stroud with the second overall pick before trading up to select Will Anderson with the following pick last year.
Those moves paid off and illustrate how quickly draft picks can make an impact in the league. Matching the success they found with last year's draft will be nearly impossible, especially since they didn't have a first-round pick this 2024 (they traded it as a part of the package to land Will Anderson in 2023), but a lot of people do like what Houston did in this year's draft, too. You can't doubt what Nick Caserio is building in Houston, and in this article, we will grade each one of the Texans' selections in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Kamari Lassiter, Georgia, CB (Second round, 42nd overall)
The Texans hit it out of the park with their first pick last year. They filled a need and got the best player in the drafted when they selected C.J. Stroud. Of course, there is a big difference between the second-overall pick and a second-round pick. The selection of Kamari Lassiter might not pay immediate dividends like the Stroud pick, but it is a quality selection nonetheless.
Lassiter was arguably the best defensive player on what was arguably the best defense in the nation at Georgia. He doesn't have eye-popping numbers, but that is because everyone produced at a high level for the Bulldogs. Lassiter might not have the production of some of his peers in this draft, nor over-the-top freakish measurables, but he knows how to play quality football within a system, and considering he will likely be Houston's third cornerback, you can't ask for much more.
Stroud and Anderson were two of the best players in college on two of the best teams in the nation before they were drafted, so it is possible that Lassiter will find similar success right away for the Texans.
Grade: B
Blake Fisher, Notre Dame, OT (Second round, 59th overall)
A run on the position meant 12 offensive linemen went before Blake Fisher. Therefore, the Texans didn't get the day-one starter they might have liked at the position, but they still got a player with good potential.
Fisher is somewhat raw, and he still has a lot to work on when it comes to technique in the passing game. He is a mauler in run blocking, though, and he might be able to play on either side of the line for Houston. Because of Tytus Howard's injury history, it is possible that Fisher will be thrust into action sooner rather than later.
Grade: B-
Calen Bullock, USC, S (Third round, 78th overall)
You'd probably like a little more bruiser ability as a tackler when it comes to the safety position, but Calen Bullock was one of the best ball hawks in this draft class, and that is what got him drafted in the third round. He can play deep down the field and make plays on balls in the air. Bullock is on the smaller side for a safety, but his ball skills are impressive enough that it might not matter.
Grade: C+
Cade Stover, Ohio State, TE (Fourth round, 123rd overall)
Brock Bowers was the clear-cut top tight end in the 2024 NFL Draft. There were a handful of tight ends in the running to be picked after him, including Cade Stover, a tight end many viewed as the second-best at the position in the class. Houston securing him in the fourth round is a huge steal.
Not only was this a great value pick, but you couldn't ask for a better fit. Stover is from Ohio State, so he played with C.J. Stroud. Adding another familiar piece/dangerous weapon for the young quarterback was a smart move. Additionally, Stover is still learning the tight end position, as he started his career as a linebacker. That means he is likely only to get better from here on out.
Grade: A+
Jamal Hill, Oregon, LB (Sixth round, 188th overall)
Jamal Hill has potential as a linebacker because of his speed and coverage ability, and he could see the field in sub-packages. Even if he doesn't work out on defense, his calling card is special teams, and all great teams seem to have a special teams ace.
Grade: B
Jawhar Jordan, Louisville, RB (Sixth round, 205th overall)
Running back was arguably the Texans' biggest need coming into the offseason, but they were able to trade for Joe Mixon. The team still needed to add some depth, though, and they got that with Jawhar Jordan. The Louisville running back might be better as a return man, though, which means the team added players who can play on one side of the ball AND special teams with each of their last two picks.
That was a smart philosophy late in the draft, as Houston has enough star players who won't see the field on special teams. On offense, Jordan isn't going to run anyone over, but he is elusive and can find the right holes to break through a defense.
Grade: B+
Solomon Byrd, USC , DE (Seventh round, 238th overall)
The Texans took three players in the final round of the draft. The first of those three was Solomon Byrd, a defensive end out of USC. Byrd played six seasons of collegiate football. His age means he likely doesn't have a high ceiling, but getting someone with experience in the seventh round who can contribute from day one is a plus.
Grade: B-
Marcus Harris, Auburn, DT (Seventh round, 247th overall)
Marcus Harris was a second-team All-SEC defender at Auburn. Those type of players don't usually slip to the end of the draft, so Houston got good value here. Harris is undersized, and he likely won't be great against the run. His leverage and speed allow him to thrive when rushing the passer from the interior, though.
Grade: B+
LaDarius Henderson, Michigan, OG (Seventh round, 249th overall)
Michigan had more players selected than any other college in the 2024 NFL Draft, and the Wolverines most thrived in the trenches last season. LaDarius Henderson was only the third offensive linemen from Michigan taken in the draft, but a late-round gamble on a player that helped the Wolverines win the National Championship game makes sense.
Grade: A-
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