Skweres: Houston Texans Seven Round Mock Draft 3.0
The draft is finally here. Ron Jaworski has finished studying his thirteen months of film over the past six months. The Texans can go in all types of directions in round one, but here’s how I would do it if I was the Texans GM.
Round One – Randy Gregory/EDGE/Nebraska
I didn’t have to think twice about pulling the trigger on Gregory in the first round. Early in the draft process he was thought of as a possibility for the first overall pick. However, he failed a drug test at the combine and it came out that he failed multiple tests in college as well. He’ll understand his NFL life is on the line and get it together.
The Texans have a need at outside linebacker, and a defense with J.J. Watt, Gregory, and a healthy Jadeveon Clowney could be downright unfair. The draft is deep at the receiver position, so I wasn’t going to reach for Strong even though I absolutely love him as a player.
Others Considered: Bud Dupree/EDGE/Kentucky, Todd Gurley/RB/Georgia, Jaelen Strong/WR/Arizona State, Eric Kendricks/ILB/UCLA, Breshad Perriman/WR/UFC
Round Two – Devin Smith/WR/Ohio State
Smith can stretch the field like no other. He embarrassed Alabama and Oregon in the College Football Postseason. A strong armed QB like Ryan Mallet paired with Smith could be lethal. Smith isn’t happy that people classify him as a receiver that “stretches the field” and does “little else”, so he’s out to prove the football world wrong. I want him.
Others Considered: Denzel Perryman/ILB/Miami, Stephone Anthony/ILB/Clemson, Duke Johnson/RB/Miami
Round Three – D’Joun Smith/CB/Florida Atlantic
D’Joun Smith is one of my favorite players in this draft and I’m thrilled to see him on the board still in round three. He can play as a slot corner immediately for the Texans, so finding a plug-and-play starter in round three is fabulous. He’ll eventually take over for Jonathan Joseph when his contract expires after this season.
He has a knack for finding the football and making plays, which I like out of a rookie. He might be overaggressive and make the occasional boneheaded play, but I’d rather have that than a rookie scared to go out and make a play.
Others Considered: Tre McBride/WR/William & Mary, Eric Rowe/CB/Utah, Ifo Ekpre-Olomu/CB/Oregon
Round Four – James Sample/S/Louisville
Sample is a solid tackler with an eye for the ball. He had four interceptions last season for Louisville. He was overshadowed by fellow teammate, Gerod Holliman, at the safety spot, so he didn’t get the publicity he really deserved. The Texans have the starters locked in at safety, but Romeo Crennel likes playing three safeties, so they need to add somebody. I’m not an advocate of taking Landon Collins in the first round, however.
Others Considered: Tyler Lockett/WR/Kansas State
Round Five – Justin Hardy/WR/East Carolina
I compare this year’s draft to 2012 when the Texans took both Posey and Martin in the draft. Hardy put up gaudy numbers in college at ECU. He has the ability to play out of the slot for a decade of his career. With the departure of Andre Johnson the Texans need to add talent and depth at receiver. Both Smith and Hardy do just that.
Others Considered: Cameron Artis-Payne/RB/Auburn
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Round Five – Christian Covington/DT/Rice
Many scouts think Covington could’ve gone as high as round two had he stayed healthy his final season in college, so he could be a steal here in round five. At worst he provides defensive line depth, and at best he challenges Jared Crick for the starting job. I’m willing to take a shot on his potential.
Others Considered: Rakeem Nunez-Roches/DT/Southern Miss, Matt Jones/RB/Florida
Round Six – Mike Hull/ILB/Penn State
He’s a little small for a middle linebacker, but he’s instinctive and played for Bill O’Brien at Penn State. He reminds me a little bit of Jeff Tarpinian. He’ll be able to give you the occasional spot start and be productive, but you don’t want him being a starter. If the Texans look to the trade market for a ILB (Mychal Kendricks?) during the draft, then finding an instant impact middle linebacker in the draft becomes a little less of a need.
Others Considered: Max Garcia/C/Florida
Round Six – Bobby Hart/OT/Florida State
He’s one of the youngest players in the draft, so he could be a bit of a project at tackle. Finding offensive line depth is never a bad thing.
Others Considered: Jamon Brown/OT/Louisville, Anthony Jefferson/S/UCLA
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Round Six – Wes Saxton/TE/South Alabama
He’s a homeless man’s Jimmy Graham. He has no blocking skills as a tight end, but the Texans drafted C.J. Fiedorowicz as an inline tight end last year, so Saxton could be the pass catcher. He’s an athlete with lots of potential that’s worth taking a risk on this late in the draft.
Others Considered: Justin Coleman/CB/Tennessee
Round Seven – Trey Williams/RB/Texas A&M
Williams is an outstanding pass catcher out of the backfield and could make an impact in the Texans anemic return game.
Others Considered: Adam Shead/OG/Oklahoma, Jalston Fowler/FB/Alabama, Terrance Magee/RB/LSU
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