Jaxon Smith-Njigba to Texans, Cowboys Take TE in Todd McShay's NFL Mock Draft

The Houston Texans strengthened their offense but didn't address the quarterback position in the first round of the final 2023 mock draft from ESPN's Todd McShay.

McShay projected the Texans to select Texas Tech edge-rusher Tyree Wilson at No. 2 and then Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba with the No. 12 pick.

Elsewhere in the state of Texas, the Dallas Cowboys found a Dalton Schultz replacement in Oregon State tight end Luke Musgrave at No. 26 overall.

It's a testament to how great Jaxon Smith-Njigba was as a sophomore that he basically didn't play at all in 2022 and is still considered a first-round talent. He caught 95 passes for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns for the Buckeyes two years ago.

The 2022 Rose Bowl basically cemented Smith-Njigba's status as a Day 1 pick. He torched the Utah secondary to the tune of 15 receptions, 347 yards and three touchdowns.

While the Texans are in need of a long-term solution at quarterback, their receiver situation isn't all that great either. Houston is looking at Robert Woods, Noah Brown and Nico Collins as the starters heading into the 2023 season.

If the front office and coaching staff isn't totally sold on any of the top QB prospects, then targeting a wideout such as Smith-Njigba would be another way to lay the foundation for its passing game moving forward.

For the Cowboys, tight end is a clear area of need after they didn't reinforce the position in free agency following Schultz's departure.

Musgrave didn't put up monster numbers for the Beavers. In four seasons, he caught 47 passes for 633 yards and two touchdowns. However, the tools are there for him to become a serious aerial threat in the NFL.

Bleacher Report NFL scout Derrik Klassen wrote this about the 6'6", 253-pound tight end:

"In all, Musgrave's height, athletic tools and baseline blocking skills give him everything he needs to be a weapon. He can succeed as a field-stretching tight end who doesn't have to leave the field on run downs, which gives him access to aggressive play-action concepts to make use of his speed."

Utah's Dalton Kincaid (No. 13 to the Green Bay Packers) and Notre Dame's Michael Mayer (No. 25 to the New York Giants) were both gone when the Cowboys' pick came around in McShay's mock. Selecting Musgrave with the 26th pick wouldn't be much of a reach for Dallas given both the overall value and need.