Winners and Losers from the Texans in the 2024 NFL Draft

The 2024 NFL draft has wrapped up, and as the Houston Texans fill their 90-man roster, we’re starting to see some big changes. Every draft pick has the potential to shake things up, and this year was no exception.

Some players might be feeling the heat as the new draftees threaten to take their spots, especially in positions where the Texans decided to add fresh talent.

However, it’s not all about competition; some players are sitting pretty because their positions weren’t targeted in the draft, giving them a bit more job security. 

In this analysis, we will take a closer look at who emerged as the winners and losers from the Texans’ decisions in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Winners

C.J. Henderson and CBs Jeff Okudah

Jeff Okudah and C.J. Henderson are winners after the Texans didn’t pick an outside cornerback in this year’s draft. While the Texans did choose Kamari Lassiter at No. 42, he’s expected to play inside, not on the outside. Since both Okudah and Henderson were top 10 picks in 2020, they’re now in a great spot to show they’re worth their draft spots.

With the Texans having a strong front six that can pressure quarterbacks fast, these cornerbacks have a better chance to disrupt receivers. Okudah’s speed (4.4) and long reach could help him get his career back on track. Henderson’s quick (4.39 speed) and, with the team’s pass rush, can also look to increase his value.

This setup looks promising, but things could change if the Texans add someone else to their roster. Right now, though, Okudah and Henderson are winners post-draft.

WR Robert Woods

Robert Woods is coming out as a big winner from the Texans’ strategy in the 2024 NFL draft. Despite this year’s draft being full of talented wide receivers, the Texans decided to skip over drafting any of them and instead picked up two undrafted twins for the position.

For Woods, this move by the Texans means he’s got a safer spot on the team. His contract isn’t the best for the team’s finances, and he was close to being cut. If the Texans had chosen a wide receiver from the draft, Woods might have been in trouble.

But now, he has a better chance to stay with the team, especially if the Texans plan to hold onto six receivers to ensure they have plenty of talent all season. Woods’s position shows how team decisions can change a player’s fate, making the Texans game odds look different than expected.

Losers

The Texans recently made some strategic moves that could shake up the roster, especially for tight ends Dalton Schultz and Brevin Jordan and running back Dare Ogunbowale. Here’s how the draft choices could affect these players:

1. TEs Dalton Schultz and Brevin Jordan – The selection of Cade Stover puts pressure on both Schultz and Jordan. Stover’s arrival means one less spot for TE depth, making the competition stiff. Schultz might be safe for now but could see a successor in Stover. Jordan, on the other hand, faces a direct threat to his position, with his contract ending soon.

2. RB Dare Ogunbowale – With the Texans trading for Joe Mixon and the addition of Jawhar Jordan, Ogunbowale’s role, primarily on special teams, might not be enough to secure his spot. The team would have to keep four running backs, which is unlikely, potentially pushing him off the roster.

3. Special Teams LBs and Backup Safeties – The drafting of linebacker Jamal Hill and safety Calen Bullock, along with the signing of undrafted free agents and the trade for Mixon, means older veterans on special teams, like M.J. Stewart and Eric Murray, are at risk. Stewart and Murray, who both contributed significantly to special teams, might find their roles reduced or eliminated due to these new additions.

These moves indicate the Texans are looking to build a competitive and younger roster, which could lead to tough decisions regarding existing players.