There's no question the Texans are in a much better position entering the 2024 NFL Draft than they were in 2023. While Houston knew it had an opportunity to land a franchise quarterback last April, the franchise was coming off three consecutive dismal seasons and was starting anew at head coach for the third year in a row.
Some turnarounds take time. But Houston's was rapid. C.J. Stroud proved to be a stellar quarterback from day one, the roster coalesced around him and the Texans reached the divisional round of the playoffs.
Expectations are much higher now, particularly with Stefon Diggs and Danielle Hunter among Houston's offseason additions. One reason the Texans were so busy in free agency is the knowledge that they are without a first-round pick to help them bolster the roster this year.
Here's a closer look at the Texans' selections in the 2024 NFL Draft and where their first-round pick ended up.
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Texans draft picks 2024
The Texans have nine picks in the 2024 NFL Draft:
| Round | Pick (Overall) |
| 2 | 42 (from Vikings) |
| 2 | 59 |
| 3 | 86 (from Eagles) |
| 4 | 123 (from Browns) |
| 4 | 127 |
| 6 | 188 (from Raiders) |
| 6 | 189 (from Bills) |
| 7 | 238 (from Saints) |
| 7 | 247 |
Houston fans shouldn't check out of the NFL Draft completely even without a first-round pick. Two second-round picks give general manager Nick Caserio real ammo to either add depth or trade up.
The Texans have five picks within the first four rounds, so the roster will gain valuable pieces by the end of the weekend even if no player is guaranteed to make an immediate impact.
Why don't the Texans have a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft?
The Texans traded their 2024 first-round pick to the Cardinals as part of the deal that allowed Houston to jump up to the No. 3 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Houston, which had just selected Stroud, used the pick on Will Anderson Jr., who earned Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2023.
That's not the complete story, though. The Texans still owned the No. 23 pick this year via the Browns as a result of the deal that sent Deshaun Watson to Cleveland in 2022. They traded it to the Vikings in March, in a move many believe positions Minnesota to trade up for a quarterback. Houston landed the Vikings' second-round pick in this year's draft as one part of the return.
The Cardinals will select 27th overall in place of Houston, which is undoubtedly lower than Arizona was expecting a year ago.
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When is the Texans' first draft pick?
Barring a trade, the Texans are slated to make their first selection in the 2024 NFL Draft at No. 42. That pick was acquired by the Vikings as part of a March pick swap that gave Minnesota an additional first-round pick.
Houston has two second-round picks, so the front office will have a prime opportunity to add impact players after having some success with Day 2 picks in recent years.