Each pick of the 2024 NFL draft for the Texans has been graded. It’s time to stamp the entire class with their final grade as a unit. Along with the grades come superlatives for the picks.
Here are the full draft grades and an overall grade as well as favorite and least-favorite picks.
2024 Texans’ Draft Class grades and superlatives
Picks and player grades
The Texans made 9 selections in this draft. Grabbing players at positions of need on offense, defense and special teams. The value of the class went through ebbs and flows throughout the 3 days. (Player Grade)
- 2.42 Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia (C-)
- 2.59 Blake Fisher, OT, Notre Dame (B+)
- 3.78 Calen Bullock S, USC (C-)
- 4.123 Cade Stover, TE, Ohio State (A+)
- 6.188 Jamal Hill, LB/ST, Oregon (B-)
- 6.205 Jawhar Jordan, RB, Louisville (B+)
- 7.238 Solomon Byrd, EDGE, USC (B-)
- 7.247 Marcus Harris, DT, Auburn (A+)
- 7.249 LaDarius Henderson, OG, Michigan (C)
Overall Grade: B
Best Pick — TE Cade Stover
The selection of Stover came when there was a run on tight ends. The Texans traded a 2025 fifth-round pick to move from pick No. 127 to pick No. 123 to select their newest tight end.
Stover has the potential to blossom into one of the top tight ends in this class and provide a return on investment on par with that of a second-round pick’s expectations. The fact Houston used fourth and fifth-round picks on the selection doesn’t move the needle on deflating the value of the acquisition. Stover can learn at his own pace over his first two seasons while also seeing reps in 12 personnel sets with Dalton Schultz. It’s the ideal landing spot for Stover to continue to grow as he pairs back up with his college quarterback C.J. Stroud in Houston.
Best Value — DT Marcus Harris
Marcus Harris was dinged for being undersized at the defensive tackle position and for not putting up athletic testing numbers. He can give a solid return on investment on par with a prospect drafted three rounds earlier. Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans doesn’t have an issue with the labeled “lack of size” in defensive tackles as he mentioned that he’s seen guys play the position well from 280 pounds on up to 315 pounds. Harris at 286 will fit the description and shine in the defensive tackle rotation when called upon.
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Smartest — OT Blake Fisher
The Texans were a play away from Charlie Heck having to step in for Laremy Tunsil or Tytus Howard in 2024 if either were to get injured. Houston wisely grabbed Notre Dame offensive tackle Blake Fisher late in the second round in the middle of a run.
The offensive tackle position got pushed up in this draft for the most part, but Houston stayed firm at their pick and landed one of the few tackles who was selected where his talent would dictate. The position dried up early and was bare by the end of the third round. Due to the injury history of Howard and Tunsil’s struggles with an injury in 2023, the Texans couldn’t risk their season on their starters staying healthy for the entire season or Heck stepping and keeping the offense operating at a similar level. Fisher can step in if called upon in 2024 and will be a starting tackle for the Texans in the next few years. They’re ahead of the game at the position for the future and prepared for the present.
Wildcard — DE Solomon Byrd
Solomon Byrd takes this superlative among the selections due to how he wins in games. He’s a high-motor, active, violent attacker who never stops coming after the ball. Byrd is always looking to get into the play and factor in by any means necessary, including always trying to get long arms in the passing lanes.
He’s a wildcard because he doesn’t win in traditional ways. Solomon’s not going to fire out of his stance and bend the edge with flexibility to win many reps. He has surprising shake at his size that he combines with a quick jab step and cut against it, along with swatting and chopping with violent swings on offensive lineman’s arms to get off-balance or free from the engagement.
2024 NFL DRAFT: Winners and Losers
Worst Value — S Calen Bullock
Bullock has the potential to find his exact role with the Texans and flourish. As it is on draft day, he appears like a third-round value that the Texans gave up third and fourth-round picks to acquire. But Bullock’s addition cost the Texans three picks: No. 86 and No. 123 to move up to pick No. 78 and then the residual effect of having to trade a 2025 fifth-round pick to move from No. 127 back to No. 123 where they were originally. Houston came away with Bullock at No. 78 and Stover at No. 123.
The Bullock deal was a major domino that altered the value of the class and the potential of talent they could add. To live up to the value spent, Bullock needs to provide a return on investment on par with that of a second-round selection. It’s not a crazy thought to believe that he could do so, though, especially with Ryans and Caserio’s success with taking certain players. They may nail this pick and Bullock turns out to be a first-round value but as we sit the day after the draft, this is the main change that should be made if someone has a DeLorean handy.
