Houston Texans: 7 Mid To Late Round Sleepers To Target
By Travis Oquin
Aug 30, 2013; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Jake Waters (15) tries to run away from North Dakota State Bison defensive end Kyle Emanuel (53) and defensive tackle Danny Luecke (94) at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports
Kyle Emanuel – Outside Linebacker
6’3”, 255 – North Dakota State (5th – 6th round)
Kyle Emanuel is a small school player that completely dominated at his level at one of the best programs in the country where the Bison have won 4 National Championships in a row. There can be many reasons why a talented player ends up at a small school, a late bloomer, wasn’t very big coming out of high school, etc.
Emanuel has the measurables, a 4.77-40, 27 reps on the bench and turned in solid performances in the drills. Emanuel thus far has been a corner edge rusher and plays like his hair is on fire, which has turned another small school player Jared Allen (Idaho State) into a future hall of famer.
No way to project something like that, but we do see a player with a high motor that shows the power and skill set to get to the quarterback. He also appears to have the athleticism to drop into coverage although he hasn’t been asked yet to do so.
Like Valles, if the Texans don’t get an OLB early, taking a shot with a player like Emanuel could really pay off. At the very least he should be a player that will go all out on special teams and work hard to improve. Here is Emanuel against Sam Houston State.
Next: A Great Project Suited For The O-Line