Getting Diggs in this week's trade with AFC rival Buffalo cost Caserio, a former Patriots scout, a second-round pick in next year's draft. In addition to Diggs, the Texans received fifth- and sixth-round chips from the Bills.

While the best years for Hunter, 29, and Diggs, 30, may be behind them, the edge rusher is still dangerous — though he might benefit from a lighter workload. Diggs figures to provide Stroud a useful underneath option behind No. 1 receiver Nico Collins.

Bringing in five other projected starters, the Texans have added veteran defenders in tackles Folorunso Fatukasi and Denico Autry, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, cornerback Jeff Okudah and running back Joe Mixon, a former Bengals Pro Bowler.

The best of these moves? Al-Shaair, by a slim margin.

At 26, he's younger than most free-agent additions. He played under Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans, a former All-Pro linebacker, when Ryans was coordinating the 49ers' defense.

Impressively, Caserio pulled off the deals without becoming so now-focused that he neglected future drafts.

The GM dealt this year's 23rd overall selection to the Vikings for the 42nd pick this year and Minnesota's second-round pick next year, plus a sixth-rounder this year.

Caserio was likely mindful that the Vikings need a franchise quarterback and thus may be willing to pay a higher price in draft capital to ensure they'll get a targeted QB later this month or supplement such as selection.

Trading out of the lower third of the first round also jibes with NFL teams' studies cited by Hall of Fame talent man Bill Polian that found that, on average, only 15 to 20 players in a draft warrant a first-round grade.

Caserio holds nine picks in the seven-round draft, including a pair of second-rounders and a third-rounder. Soon thereafter, a dozen-plus compensation picks will further thin every drafting team's opportunities.

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