Texans' Top 2024 NFL Draft Targets

The Houston Texans are carrying a ton of momentum into the 2024 NFL draft. Last year's draft yielded C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr., who were named Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year, respectively. The Texans also won the AFC South and pushed into the divisional round of the playoffs.

Since then, Houston has added the likes of Danielle Hunter, Joe Mixon and Stefon Diggs. The Texans did, however, trade away their first-round selection, netting the Minnesota Vikings' second-round pick and a future second-round pick in the process.

Houston's first pick will now come at 42nd overall with their second coming at 59th overall. This will likely leave the Texans as bystanders on Thursday night. However, there's a strong second tier of talent in this year's draft, and Houston can add a pair of potential difference-makers in the second round.

Here, we'll examine three of the top draft prospects Houston should be eager to target on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL draft.

LB Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 29: Edgerrin Cooper #LB08 of Texas A&M participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Getty Images)

While Stroud was the star of Houston's 2023 season, head coach DeMeco Ryans deserves a ton of credit for transforming the defense into a playoff-caliber unit. He'll likely look to continue reloading the defense in the draft, and Texas A&M linebacker Edgerrin Cooper would be a logical target.

Houston added some linebacker depth with Azeez Al-Shaair this offseason, but it could use more long-term pieces to the proverbial puzzle. Ryans had a legitimate centerpiece in Fred Warner as the San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator. Cooper has the upside to develop into a centerpiece player.

"He'd be best as a 'Will' linebacker in even fronts for a team that uses a lot of man coverage and fire zone blitzes," Matt Holder of the B/R Scouting Department wrote. "That will allow play-callers to take advantage of his ability to impact the passing game, as he's a good coverage 'backer and blitzer."

Cooper excels in coverage, which was a weakness for the Texans defense (27th in net yards per attempt allowed) last season. He's the top-rated linebacker on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's big board, but early runs at other positions could push him firmly into Houston's range.

CB T.J. Tampa, Iowa State

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CINCINNATI, OH - OCTOBER 14: Iowa State DB T.J. Tampa (2) prior to a college football game between the Iowa State Cyclones and Cincinnati Bearcats on October 14, 2023 at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Houston added Jeff Okudah, C.J. Henderson, Mike Ford and Myles Bryant to its cornerback room already this offseason. However, the Texans could use additional depth on the back end after struggling to defend the pass consistently in 2023.

Taking Iowa State's T.J. Tampa, if available, early in the second round would make a lot of sense for a couple of reasons. For one, Tampa has a skill set that would mesh nicely with Ryan's defense.

"Tampa has the size and playing style that NFL teams are looking for," Cory Giddings of the B/R Scouting Department wrote. "Whether it's how he defends the run with his physicality and strength or how he uses his length in coverage, Tampa has a lot of upside."

Secondly, this draft class features some quality corners at the top but not a lot of overall depth at the position. If the Texans are looking to grab a cornerback who can start within the next couple of seasons, they may have to do it early.

Tampa will probably be more of a project than potential first-round locks like Toledo's Quinyon Mitchell or Alabama's Terrion Arnold. However, the Texans added enough stopgap depth to afford taking an earlier flier on Tampa's upside.

DL Darius Robinson, Missouri

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ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 29: Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson (6) gets set at the line during the 88th annual Cotton Bowl game between the Missouri Tigers and the Ohio State Buckeyes on Friday, December 29, 2023 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by Nick Tre. Smith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Texans added Denico Autry and Foley Fatukasi to their defensive front this offseason, but they also traded Maliek Collins to the 49ers. There isn't a ton of defensive-line depth in the 2024 class, so if Ryans wants to continue building his defensive interior, Houston may have to make that call early.

Missouri's Darius Robinson is on the leaner side at 6'5" and 285 pounds, and he relies far more on his play strength than his athleticism. However, he has the baseline tools and versatility to generate pressure from the end or the interior.

"The Missouri product can collapse the pocket against tackles with a bull rush when he doesn't false-step out of his stance," Holder wrote. "Additionally, he has a good arm-over move as a counter."

Again, we're looking at a prospect who may be more valuable down the road but who should still contribute as a rookie. The Texans undoubtedly want to win now—their offseason moves to this point scream it—but their playoff window has only just opened.

Robinson has enough upside to be a big contributor in the future and enough positional versatility to fill a role right away.