Oquin: Houston Texans Seven Round Mock Draft

Dec 30, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive back Tony Conner (12) breaks up a pass intended for Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets wide receiver DeAndre Smelter (15) during the first half at LP Field. The Rebels beat the Yellow Jackets 25-17. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

Round 6

Pick #195 – Deandre Smelter

6’2″, 300 – Wide Receiver – Georgia Tech

If one Deandre worked out well why not try another?  This time it’s Georgia Tech’s Deandre Smelter.  Smelter would add a big receiver that can help on the outside down the road.  He’s a former baseball player and you can clearly see the difference in the way he tracks the ball and has great hand-eye coordination to go up and make the catch.

Smelter will also be coming off an injury and may or may not be available in 2015, but that’s ok.  The Texans will have already taken one wide receiver earlier in the draft but they seemed to have tired of the DeVier Posey, Keshawn Martin tandom and in Martin’s case it’s not hard to see why.  With Smelter comes a lot of upside to potentially be that #2 outside receiver, particularly if they draft a slot type receiver earlier.

Another option is Derrick Lott who is a big defensive tackle that has the desired height to play defensive end in the 3-4. He was originally at Georgia. Wes Saxton is a pass catching tight end that can work from the slot, something the Texans did not use effectively last season

Alternate 1 – DT  Derrick Lott                    Alternate 2 – TE  Wes Saxton

Pick #211 – Jamon Brown

6’4″, 323 – Tackle/Guard – Louisville

Oct 3, 2014; Syracuse, NY, USA; Louisville Cardinals offensive tackle Jamon Brown (79) in pass protection blocking against Syracuse Orange defensive end Robert Welsh (94) during the second quarter of a game at the Carrier Dome. Louisville won the game 28-6. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

The Texans have two compensatory picks in the 6th round and they will use them to shore up some depth at a couple positions.

Jamon Brown was also in our sleepers list and will end up being a better player than many who may go ahead of him.  He can play tackle or guard and his position flexibility adds to his value.

The Texans will also be looking for depth at offensive tackle, as their swing tackle last year was Tyson Clabo who will turn 34 this season.

Kevin White is a smallish cornerback from TCU that should be a slot corner in the NFL but competes and made some big plays at TCU.  Tony Lippett is a unique option as he was a two-way player at Michigan State.  He’s a very good athlete but his best position may be corner according to his college coach Mark Dantonio.

Alternate 1 – CB  Kevin White                    Alternate 2 – WR/CB  Tony Lippett

Pick #216 – Max Valles

6’5″, 251 – Outside Linebacker – Virginia

With their second compensatory pick in the 6th, the Texans select outside linebacker Max Valles.

With having passed over the top outside linebackers early, if the Texans do that, I would expect them to come back later and try to cover their bases with a couple later round guys like Max Valles and our 5th round selection Kyle Emanuel.  With the loss of Brooks Reed they must seek to fill that position, as well as perhaps bringing in another veteran.

Valles is raw but very athletic and has a lot of upside for the position.  It’s a low risk, high reward selection for this point in the draft and that’s what you’d like to see with 6th round compensatory picks.

Yes, we know Arian Foster is not getting any younger and yes we know he makes quite a bit of money.  But we don’t think either situation causes the Texans to go RB early, especially following the signing of running back Chris Polk.  But if they do, it would be a guy late here like Malcolm Brown of Texas who was an elite running back coming out of high school but never achieved that level of play at UT due to various injuries.

Alternatively, Imoan Claiborne is a small-school, athletic corner that some are projecting to move to safety.

Alternate 1 – CB/S  Imoan Claiborne                    Alternate 2 – RB Malcolm Brown

Next: Round 7 Selection