Texans can clinch No. 1 overall pick in 2023 NFL Draft with loss in season finale

HOUSTON — It’s simple for the Houston Texans come Sunday – lose against rival Indianapolis and you win the No. 1 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft.

However, if the Texans finish out the season with a win on the road against the Colts and the Chicago Bears lose their season finale against Minnesota Vikings, Houston will be picking No. 2 overall come April.

While picking No. 2 overall would still ensure that the Texans would have the opportunity to select one of the top two prospects available, having their choice of the class would seem more reassuring.

Picking No. 2 overall also carries the risk of a QB-needy team trading up with the Bears to snag their choice of signal-caller.

So far, Alabama quarterback and 2021 Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young has declared for the NFL Draft. The other top quarterback prospect, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, has not yet made his intentions known.

Both quarterbacks made their case to be the No. 1 overall selection in the college football postseason.

The Texans will also be keeping an eye on how the Cleveland Browns finish the season. Houston owns the rights to Cleveland’s first and third-round selections via the trade for Deshaun Watson.

As it stands right now, the second first-round pick would be at No. 12, allowing the Texans to add two top players to their roster. The Texans already utilized one of the picks acquired in the trade in the first round of the 2022 NFL when they selected guard Kenyon Green with the No. 15 overall pick.

READ: Rating the Texans 9 picks in 2022 NFL Draft

Here is the NFL Draft order as it stands heading into the final week of the regular season.

Houston TexansChicago BearsSeattle Seahawks via Denver BroncosArizona CardinalsIndianapolis ColtsDetroit Lions via Los Angeles RamsAtlanta FalconsLas Vegas RaidersCarolina PanthersPhiladelphia Eagles via New Orleans SaintsTennessee TitansHouston Texans via Cleveland BrownsNew York JetsWashington CommandersPittsburgh SteelersGreen Bay PackersDetroit LionsPick forfeited by Miami DolphinsSeattle SeahawksJacksonville JaguarsTampa Bay BuccaneersNew England PatriotsNew York GiantsBaltimore RavensLos Angeles ChargersCincinnati BengalsMinnesota VikingsDallas CowboysDenver Broncos via San Francisco 49ersBuffalo BillsKansas City ChiefsPhiladelphia Eagles

The Texans have 11 picks in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft with extra selections in the first and third rounds via the Deshaun Watson trade with Cleveland. They also have three sixth-round picks acquired through trades with the Giants, Saints and 49ers.

With this many selections, the Texans gain the flexibility to move up and down the draft board to go after prospects they value highly.

Here is a list of the Texans picks in 2023:

1st1st (Browns)2nd3rd3rd (Browns)4th5th6th (Giants)6th (Saints)6th (49ers)7th

As it stands right now, the Houston Texans have the most picks heading into the 2023 NFL Draft with 11 selections. 

The 2023 NFL Draft will be held from Thursday, April 27 to Saturday, April 29 in Kansas City. The first is set for Thursday, while the second and third rounds are held Friday night. The remaining fourth through seventh rounds will be held Saturday.

The 2023 NFL Draft will be held in downtown Kansas City at the historic Union Station. Union Station is a 104-year-old historical landmark and celebrated civic asset renovated and reopened to the public in 1999, according to VisitKC.