Houston Texans Still Need To Address Wide Receiver Early In The Draft

Dec 6, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver

(9) catches a pass in the end zone for a touchdown against Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Terrance Floyd (29) during the Big Ten football championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Devin Smith  (2^nd round) 6’0”, 196 – Ohio State

A player that the Texans would be thrilled to get in the 2nd round will be Devin Smith out of Ohio State.  Devin Smith is electric on the field, constantly beating defenders deep with his 4.42 speed.  Smith reminds me of DeSean Jackson in terms of style, in that unlike a lot of players his elite speed truly shows up in the game and when you watch him on film.

Smith who also has a 39-inch vertical and an over 10-foot broad jump is not just fast, he’s also a tremendous athlete who will go up and fight defenders for balls and highpoint them to make the grab.

Nov 29, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive back Blake Countess (2) hits Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Devin Smith (9) before the ball arrives at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

Devin Smith has good hands that could get better but he’s not a guy who had many drops and he fights for the ball even in traffic.  At 196 pounds he’s not as slight of build as DeSean Jackson but has that type of quickness and speed.

Some scouts and media types will sometimes knock players that don’t always catch with their hands out away from the body but as veteran receivers will tell you, when you need to convert a 3rd own play and you’re in traffic, you better also be good as catching the ball softly but with control and ball security against your body.  Smith does both.

Here is Devin Smith against Michigan State.

Ironically with his speed, thus far Smith has not been a kick returner at Ohio State.  But before you say, “wait a minute, you said 3rd, 4th and 5th wide receivers need to be able to play special teams”, you should know that Smith, while not a returner, thus far is one of the best gunners in the nation on punt coverage.  So even if Smith were to find himself behind Shorts and/or Washington as a rookie, he clearly can still be active on Sundays and contribute right away.

Smith should be there for the Texans at 51 in the 2nd round but it will be close. It’s not known if the Texans would use Smith or Shorts in the slot but longer term Devin Smith gives the Texans a multi-purpose receiver that is a burner and can stretch the field.

He would be particularly useful if the Texans give Ryan Mallet the opportunity that they should.

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