Owners of 13 picks, the Houston Texans hold more selections in the 2023 NFL Draft than any other team. With two choices inside the top 12, the Texans should be able to add premier players to a roster devoid of talent. Let’s run through a Texans mock draft using Pro Football Network’s FREE Mock Draft Simulator with trades.

Houston Texans 2023 NFL Mock Draft

C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State | Round 1, Pick 2

Bryce Young came off the board at No. 1 in this mock draft, leaving the Texans with their choice of three quarterbacks — C.J. Stroud, Anthony Richardson, and Will Levis. Stroud, who is incredibly accurate and also demonstrates hidden athleticism, is widely expected to be Houston’s pick if Young is unavailable.

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Stroud is used to playing behind excellent offensive lines at Ohio State, and Laremy Tunsil, Shaq Mason, Kenyon Green, and Tytus Howard will provide a solid foundation in Houston. The Texans also added a few interesting skill-position pieces — including tight end Dalton Schultz and wide receiver Robert Woods — this offseason, but they’ll need to do more work in that area to ensure Stroud is successful.

Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson | Round 1, Pick 12

After finding their quarterback of the future at the top of Round 1, the Texans can solidify their defense with their second first-round pick. While Houston has done a solid job revamping its defensive backfield with Derek Stingley Jr., Jalen Pitre, and others, they still need a dominant presence up front.

That’s where Myles Murphy fits in. After posting 18.5 sacks over three years at Clemson, Murphy blew up the Combine with a 9.71 Relative Athletic Score. The Texans could work him in slowly behind Jerry Hughes, Jonathan Greenard, and Chase Winovich, but Murphy has enough talent to quickly rise up the depth chart in training camp.

John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota | Round 2, Pick 33

Houston has a promising starting option at every offensive line position at center. Scott Quessenberry was forced into the starting lineup for the first time in his career in 2022 and performed like one of the worst centers in the NFL.

While Quessenberry might show improvement heading into next season, the Texans need to hedge. John Michael Schmitz is an older prospect at 24, but he’s a well-regarded center who earned first-team All-American honors last year. He could be Stroud’s battery mate for the next decade.

A.T. Perry, WR, Wake Forest | Round 3, Pick 65

The Texans need more weapons. Schultz and Woods are a start, while Nico Collins and 2022 second-rounder John Metchie III could still break out as their careers progress. But Houston needs to surround Stroud with options.

A.T. Perry is the Texans’ first wide receiver draft pick of 2023. A physical pass catcher at 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, Perry might not have the run-after-catch ability that Houston is searching for, but he can become a vertical receiver for the club’s new-look offense.

Jayden Reed, WR, Michigan State | Round 3, Pick 73

The Texans will double-dip on third-round receivers in our mock draft. Jayden Reed is smaller than Perry, but he’s also more versatile. He can play in the slot or outside and should complement Perry’s skill set.

Reed is also a valuable return man who returned three punts for touchdowns during his college career. He can carve out a role on special teams, even if it takes him a while to become a contributor on the offensive side of the ball.

Daiyan Henley, LB, Washington State | Round 4, Pick 74

The Texans have a lot of linebackers on their roster. After signing Christian Kirksey in 2021 and drafting Christian Harris in 2022, Houston added Denzel Perryman and Cory Littleton via free agency this offseason.

However, only Harris represents a long-term option for Demeco Ryans and Co. Daiyan Henley broke out after transferring to Washington State, and he’d add a dose of athleticism to Houston’s linebacker corps.

Clayton Tune, QB, Houston | Round 5, Pick 140

Stroud will be the Texans’ franchise quarterback, but they’ll select a local product to become their long-term backup. Clayton Tune isn’t all that impressive physically, but he can work within the pocket.

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He’s a tough player with excellent processing speed, and he threw 70 touchdowns and more than 7,500 yards over his final two collegiate campaigns.

Earl Bostick Jr., OL, Kansas | Round 5, Pick 161

Earl Bostick Jr. originally joined Kansas as a tight end before converting to the offensive line. He’s a versatile option who played right tackle before becoming the Jayhawks’ full-time blindside protector in 2021. Bostick probably needs time to increase his playing strength, and he’d get that behind Tunsil and Howard in Houston.

Travis Bell, DT, Kennesaw State | Round 6, Pick 188

The Texans loaded up on late-round defensive tackle prospects over the past two drafts — including Roy Lopez in 2021 and Thomas Booker in 2022 — and they’ll do so again here. Travis Bell posted 11 sacks and 24.5 tackles for loss across a five-year college career and will give Houston a rotational option up front.

Daniel Scott, S, California | Round 6, Pick 201

The Texans land a potential steal in Daniel Scott, who exceeded expectations at the Scouting Combine by registering a 39.5″ vertical jump and a 10’8″ broad. Pitre and Jimmie Ward will serve as Houston’s starting safeties in 2023, but Scott could take over for Ward as soon as the 2024 campaign.

Arquon Bush, CB, Cincinnati | Round 6, Pick 203

Arquon Bush played alongside future NFL draft picks Sauce Gardner and Coby Bryant in 2021 before earning honorable mention All-AAC honors in 2022. He’s a good fit for Houston’s zone defense, and his nine career interceptions demonstrate excellent ball skills.

Deneric Prince, RB, Tulsa | Round 7, Pick 230

Although Deneric Prince wouldn’t be asked to play right away, given the presence of Pierce and Singletary, he would give the Texans another competent option out of the backfield.

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Prince averaged more than five yards per carry for Tulsa in 2021 and 2022, but he would likely need to develop as a pass catcher to see time in Houston.

Johnny Buchanan, LB, Delaware | Round 7, Pick 259

While Johnny Buchanan is unlikely to have as much of an impact as last year’s “Mr. Irrelevelant” — 49ers QB Brock Purdy — the Delaware product could serve on special teams during his rookie campaign. Although he’s undersized, Buchanan showed great explosiveness with a 40″ inch vertical and 10’7″ broad jump at his pro day.