The Houston Texans’ possession of twin first-round picks in the 2023 NFL draft presents an opportunity to address needs and also increase draft capital.
At No. 2 overall, the Texans could comfortably take a franchise quarterback. At No. 12 overall — obtained via 2022 offseason trade with the Cleveland Browns — the Texans can shore up other positions of need or possibly trade back and pick up more selections.
According to Bill Barnwell from ESPN, a deal the Texans should consider making is sending their Nos. 12 (Round 1) and 104 (Round 4) overall to the Pittsburgh Steelers for their Nos. 17 (Round 1) and 49 (Round 2) overall. Moving up five spots would help the Steelers cut the New York Jets and New England Patriots in line to take one of the draft’s better tackle prospects.
As I wrote a couple of weeks ago, while now-retired Pittsburgh general manager Kevin Colbert rarely moved up in the first round, this is Omar Khan’s team now. It’s fair to start with the idea that Khan will behave the same way as his former boss, but Brian Gutekunst took over the Packers from Ted Thompson and immediately started trading up. The Steelers have an extra second-round pick after sending Chase Claypool to the Bears, which might make a move easier to swallow.
Incumbent left tackle Dan Moore was pushed into the starting role prematurely as a rookie in 2021, and he has ranked 66th out of 77 qualifying tackles in pass block win rate over his first two seasons while committing 15 penalties. Moving up for Paris Johnson Jr. or Peter Skoronski would net the Steelers a blue-chip prospect to protect Kenny Pickett while turning Moore into experienced depth to help deal with more injuries up front.
The Texans could still find value at receiver midway through the first round. They may be a little ahead of where TCU wideout Quentin Johnston is slated to go, but they would nevertheless be in the neighborhood.
Houston would also have an extra second-rounder to build a package to get back in Round 1 or move back and keep mining draft capital.