Houston Texans 2016 Draft Report Card

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Oct 29, 2015; Fort Worth, TX, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers safety KJ Dillon (9) tackles TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver KaVontae Turpin (25) during the first quarter at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Fifth Round – Pick #159

K.J. Dillon – SS – West Virginia.

6’0” – 210

Grade: B+

After fulfilling the commitment to add speed on the offensive side of the ball, with only two picks left in the draft the Texans came back in the 5th round to give the defense a few needed players at some thin positions.

K.J. Dillon from West Virginia, who we mocked to the Texans in our first mock draft this offseason is an example of a growing trend among NFL safeties. That is safeties that are “full” safeties and can play both free and strong safety. He runs a 4.53 40, shows good athleticism and nose for the ball. I had him rated as a possible 4th round pick so here, he’s good value.

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Modern day NFL defenses like to disguise their pre-snap alignment by showing safeties on both sides of the field. To do this you have to have both safeties that can both cover and tackle. The days of the in-the-box safeties are nearly a thing of the past, unless it’s a safety/linebacker hybrid like a Deone Bucannon.

The Texans loved Dillon’s West Virginia teammate Karl Joseph and there were rumors they were targeting him in the first round of the draft, but he did not make it to them. K.J. Dillon had a chance to step up this past season when Joseph went down with injury and with that opportunity he showed NFL teams what he can do and at this moment. He’s still a step below Karl Joseph but a very good player with upside.

We look for Joseph to challenge for one of the starting safety spots if not this season then definitely in 2017. He will be in the mix with Andre Hal, Quintin Demps, Eddie Pleasant and free agent signee Antonio Allen this year.

Next: A Vince Wilfork Clone?

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