Houston Texans: 2018 draft report card looks sharp despite late start
By T.A. Mock
177th Overall: Duke Ejiofor, DE Wake Forrest
This pick will rival the Reid pick for biggest steal of the draft for the Houston Texans. The Alief Taylor alum, like Akins, was coached by O’Brien and his staff at the Senior Bowl. That’s where this love affair began.
Ejiofor has great size, 6’4″ 275 lbs with extremely long 35 inch arms. Ejiofor is not going to wow you with athleticism, but he has a motor that doesn’t quit. He is also very active and violent with his hands which gives him a shot to win any battle.
Ejiofor was available to the Texans because of some injury concerns. However, Gaine and the rest of the staff must’ve signed off on his health. At the least, considered the sixth-round worth the risk.
Adding Ejiofor to the pass rushing crew of JJ Watt, Jadeveon Clowney, and Whitney Mercilus is downright scary. He is just the complementary piece this defense needed. When Watt and Mercilus went down there was no one to help Clowney.
The team now has a better insurance policy in Ejiofor. However, on fully healthy days opposing quarterbacks should dread third downs. I imagine Romeo Crennel will find some way to get all four on the field.