NFL Draft 2017 Round 5: Houston Texans Select CB Treston Decoud

Oct 22, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver John Ross (1) makes Oregon State Beavers cornerback Treston Decoud (14) miss on a tackle during the first quarter at Husky Stadium. Washington won 41-17. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver John Ross (1) makes Oregon State Beavers cornerback Treston Decoud (14) miss on a tackle during the first quarter at Husky Stadium. Washington won 41-17. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the 169th pick in Round 5 of the 2017 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans select…

With the 169th pick in Round 5 of the 2017 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans select…

Treston Decoud!

The Houston Texans have decided upon the 6’2,” 206-pound defensive back out of Oregon State.

The team certainly needed to address some of the gaping holes in the secondary left by A.J. Bouye and Quintin Demps and it’s quite possible that he could fill both of those roles.

Decoud was just drafted as corner back but with his attributes/strengths he may be more suited to play safety as many experts have affirmed.

He did participate in the NFL combine and was able to get a 4.62 so that number would certainly allude to that assertion.

Decoud’s path to the NFL is one of many trails and tribulations, not quite having the test scores to get into the Division I schools.

But he persevered and found his way on to the Oregon State squad to which is level of play got him noticed and ultimately a spot in the NFL.

This is certainly a dark-horse pick that I hope pans out because I know this man has a story to tell about his path to the NFL.

We may all eventually find that one out.

But you don’t have to take my word for it, here’s what the experts had to say about Decoud:

SportsTalk 790’s Jayson Braddock:

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein in regard to the overall package:

"“Treston’s size and physicality are two traits that some teams will covet on draft day, but there are some coverage limitations that push him towards a cover-2 defense. DeCoud lacks the trigger quickness to close separation windows that open against him, so a team may try and convert him into a free safety role where his coverage and tackling may be a fit as a backup.”"

Here’s some tape of Decoud covering Stanford back in 2015, the most recent I could dig up.  Decoud covers quite well and is on top of his assignments, causing disruption.  He is speedy enough to chase but not fast enough to catch.  You’ll see at about 0:18 in that he wants to ensure that he commits to having a no-fly zone in his area:

It’s highly likely that the Texans will try to convert him to a safety which is perfectly fine with me.

This man does have talent but I think it’s sort of a reach hoping that this pick pans out but he’s a 5th-rounder so how low would be the expectations?

Next: NFL Draft Round 4: Texans Select DT Carlos Watkins

Speaking of reaching, we know he can do that with his 33″ arm length to which I’d consider an asset.

We’ll have to see later down the line.

I’d certainly like to see how he progress through training camp and into the season as well.

Decoud amassed 58 tackles (12 assisted), 2.0 tackles-for-loss with two interceptions (with 104 targets?!?) through 12 games for the Beavers.

Go Texans.