Houston Texans Post Combine Mock Draft

The first major event of the NFL offseason has come and gone with the conclusion of the pre-draft combine in Indianapolis. The workouts undoubtedly affected the stock of many of the players, and things have changed since my last rendition over on Red & Orange Report.

First Round

Shaq Thompson/LB/Washington

Jan 2, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; Washington Huskies linebacker Shaq Thompson (7) against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the 2015 Cactus Bowl at Sun Devil Stadium. Oklahoma State defeated Washington 30-22. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sport

As much as I want to slot in Trae Waynes again, his stock has risen too much and he probably won’t be available for the Houston Texans at 16. Bill O’Brien loves versatility and Thompson gives exactly that. A two-way starter at Washington, Thompson decided to choose defense over running back at the NFL level. After his combine performance, many people look at Thompson as a safety but I think he’s a perfect fit as the weakside middle linebacker in the Texans’ 3-4 scheme. How many times have you seen Brian Cushing get exposed in coverage? The answer is too many times. Since Thompson has the speed and coverage skills to play safety, coverage won’t be an issue for him but he’ll still be big and strong enough to take on blockers and defend the run as well.

The Texans had issues at times whenever D.J. Swearinger had to move up and play nickel linebacker. He was too small to take on blockers and the Texans would get gashed in the run game. Mike Mohammed ended up taking over the nickel linebacker spot towards the end of the year. Thompson would be an ideal nickel linebacker for DC Romeo Crennel and company as he’s big enough to take on blocks but spry enough to be effective in coverage.

Original Pick: Trae Waynes/CB/Michigan St.

Second Round

Phillip Dorsett/WR/Miami

Another guy I slotted in for the Texans earlier in the fall has risen up the boards and probably won’t be available for the Texans in the second round. Bill O’Brien struggled to find production out of the slot in 2014. Damaris Johnson had the raw, physical ability but he had issues catching the football, which is kind of necessary for a wide receiver.

Dorsett began rocketing up draft boards after a knockout performance at the senior bowl, and the combine only solidified that status. More than anything, the Texans lack speed on the offensive side of the ball. Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins have great ball skills but they don’t run past people. Dorsett ran a 4.35 forty-yard dash and he looks just as fast on tape. He kind of reminds me of Randall Cobb, although Cobb is a little bit bigger and slower than Dorsett is. Dorsett could have a similar impact in the slot for Houston that Cobb does for the Cheeseheads.

Original Pick: Devin Smith/WR/Ohio St.

Third Round

Ifo Ekpre-Olomu/CB/Oregon

I originally slotted Dismukes to the Texans because I saw Chris Myers as a potential cap casualty for Houston, but the cap number rose more than expected and Myers looks like he’ll be back in a Texans uniform come September. Ekpre-Olomu is a little bit of a risk but I think it’s a risk worth taking.

Thought of as a possible first rounder earlier in the fall, Olomu tore his ACL in preparation for the Ducks’ playoff game against Florida St and Jameis Winston. Ekpre-Olomu hasn’t been able to participate in any of the offseason workouts, so drafting him means you’re betting solely on his game tape.

He’s a little small for a corner at 5’9″ but he would fit perfectly as a nickel corner, which is an area of need for the Texans, even if both Kareem Jackson and Jonathan Joseph are back. Last year the Texans placed Kareem Jackson in the slot as the nickel corner and had A.J. Bouye. Kareem struggled mightily in the slot, but was a shutdown corner on the outside all year. If the Texans can find someone reliable in the slot to leave Kareem outside, the secondary could be outstanding.

Original Pick: Reese Dismukes/C/Auburn

I’ve previously been doing rounds 1-3 on my mocks, so from here on out I’m making original selections.

Fourth round

Corey Crawford/DE/Clemson

Outside linebacker could be an issue for the Texans. Brooks Reed is unlikely to be re-signed, Jadeveon Clowney will be a question mark coming off of microfracture knee surgery, and Whitney Mercilus isn’t someone to write home about. Crawford played a 4-3 DE in college, but he best projects as a 3-4 OLB. He lacks the speed that you’d like from an edge rusher, but he’s strong and could wreak havoc in the run game.

Original Pick: N/A

Fifth Round

Joey Mbu/DT/Houston

The Texans have depth issues at the nose. Louis Nix III is a major question mark. He seemed to have trouble grasping what the Texans were doing plus he had knee issues. Ryan Pickett is contemplating retirement and Jerell Powe was unreliable whenever he played. Mbu has the size to play the nose. He won’t have an impact as a pass rusher, but as long as the nose tackle can occupy two blockers and open lanes for the linebackers, Romeo Crennel is happy.

Sixth Round

Adrian Amos/FS/Penn State

Bill O’Brien takes one of his former guys, plucking away Adrian Amos. Breakout star Kendrick Lewis is a free agent but I would expect him to be back. Amos will be mostly for depth purposes. Danieal Manning can’t play forever and D.J. Swearinger continues to have lapses in coverage. Amos is the anti-Swearinger, as he’s exceptional in coverage but has issues coming up and making plays in the box.

Seventh Round

More from Houston Texans

Trey Williams/RB/Texas A&M

Williams underachieved in college but he could still be productive at the NFL level. Having played in Texas A&M’s system for three years, he’s adept at catching the ball out of the backfield. Who knows if Williams can rediscover his running skills after he gets away from Kevin Sumlin’s air raid.

Next: Checking In On Jadeveon Clowney

Home/Houston Texans