Here are five trades the Texans could explore:
Trade 1 with Philadelphia Eagles
Texans receive: No. 50, No. 53, No. 172
Eagles receive: No. 42 and No. 59
Analysis: This isn’t as sexy as moving up. But given the Texans’ needs and where some of their potential targets are valued, it makes sense to trade back and get better value. In this scenario, the Texans move back eight spots with their first second-round pick and move up six spots for their second one. They then get an extra sixth-round pick that they can use to make other trades.
Of course, the Eagles would have to have their eye set on a particular player, but keep in mind Caserio has a history of making trades with Philadelphia GM Howie Roseman. Last year, the two made three draft-day trades.
Trade 2 with the Pittsburgh Steelers
Texans receive: No. 51, No. 84, No. 98, No. 195
Steelers receive: No. 42, No. 86, No. 127
Analysis: Here the Texans move down nine spots in the second round, move up two spots in the third, and exchange a fourth-round pick for the Steelers’ late third-round pick, moving up 30 spots.
This deal gets them better value at No. 51 for one of the remaining defensive tackles or cornerbacks while also allowing them to acquire an extra player/potential starter in the third round.
Remember, Caserio has a history of hitting on third-round picks. Jonathan Greenard (2020), Nico Collins (2021), Harris (2022), and Dell (2023) were all third-rounders.
Trade 3 with Los Angeles Rams
Texans receive: No. 52, No. 83, No. 99, No. 155
Rams receive: No. 42, No. 86
Analysis: In this scenario, the Texans move down 10 spots in the second round, move up three spots in the third, and pick up an extra late third-round pick and a fifth-round pick.
Again, the Rams would really have to have their eyes set on a player who fell in the draft, and the Texans would have to be OK moving back that far.
It’s a fair trade, according to the Jimmy Johnson chart, but a lot of compensation for the Rams to give up.
This trade would leave the Texans with two second-round picks, two third-round picks, those two fourth-round picks, a fifth-rounder and two seventh-round picks.
Caserio made two draft-day trades with Rams general manager Les Snead last year. So the relationship is there.
Trade 4 with Washington Commanders
Texans receive: No. 40 and No. 152
Commanders receive: No. 42 and No. 123
Analysis: The Commanders have seemed intent this offseason on finding their franchise quarterback and adding draft capital. This trade could make sense for Washington, since it means moving back only two spots before moving up 29 spots from the fifth to the fourth round.
The Texans would do this only if they felt Green Bay at No. 41 was going to go after one of the players they target.
Trade 5 with Arizona Cardinals
Texans receive: No. 27
Cardinals receive: No. 42 and No. 86, No. 127
Analysis: No one can forget last year's phone call between Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort and Caserio, which landed the Texans the No. 3 pick and allowed them to draft Anderson.
Ossenfort and Caserio have a history, having worked together in New England for 14 years.
The Texans made a somewhat similar trade two years ago when they moved up 24 spots from the third round to the second to get Metchie. Houston surrendered one third-round pick and two fourth-round picks to move up for that second-round pick.
This first-rounder is the pick the Texans traded in the Anderson deal last year.
The Texans should do this only if they have their eyes set on Illinois defensive tackle Jer’Zan Newton, who many believe to be the second-best defensive tackle in this draft.
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