Houston Texans: 2015 NFL Draft Recap
By Cody Poage
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Kevin Johnson (Wake Forest) is selected as the number sixteen overall pick to the Houston Texans in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Round 1, 16th overall: CB Kevin Johnson, Wake Forest
Many Texans fans were hoping that the front office would select linebacker Bud Dupree from the University of Kentucky or even trade out of the 16th overall pick to gain additional selections in the later rounds.
But the boys on Kirby had other plans.
General manager Rick Smith and head coach Bill O’Brien decided to select Wake Forest cornerback Kevin Johnson to help reinforce an improved secondary. Not a flashy pick, but a solid one regardless.
2014 statistics: 12 games, 32 solo tackles, 12 assisted tackles, 1 interception, 6 passes defended
Per a NFL.com draft profile from Lance Zierlein of SportsTalk790 and NFL.com:
"Plays stronger than his listed weight. Has athleticism and enough speed to recover when beaten. Decisive player. Fights to disengage and support against the run. Willing to drop shoulder and lay lumber as zone defender. Usually followed opponent’s best receiver around the field."
Johnson will provide defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel another defensive back with some upside that should help shore up a position that has been exposed over the past couple of seasons against pass-happy quarterbacks. Just remember that the Texans play Andrew Luck (twice), Tom Brady, Andy Dalton, Ryan Tannehill, Matt Ryan, and Drew Brees this upcoming season.
Adding Johnson was also made with an eye on the future as veteran cornerback Johnathan Joseph is entering the last year of his contract, which is good and bad for the Texans.
But now Johnson will have the luxury of being eased into the lineup as the third cornerback. He will, however, have to compete with fellow corners A.J. Bouye and Darryl Morris for playing time behind Joseph and Kareem Jackson.
Overall, a solid pick despite more glaring needs in other positions on the roster. But when the opportunity to draft a future number one cornerback presents itself, any organization would feel the pressure to select a talented playmaker that would solidify one of the most important positions on a NFL roster.
Next: Bernadrick McKinney A Steal