Houston Texans: Brian Gaine’s draft method will surprise this offseason

The NFL Draft is just a few days away and all eyes will be on Houston Texans general manager Brian Gaine’s draft strategy. Will we be surprised? Here’s why.

The NFL Draft is on the horizon for the Houston Texans and it will be interesting to see which way they will go to get guys that can help this team.  It’s that level of anticipation that has us giddy enough that organization will do the right thing and ensure that not needs are fulfilled but the best players on the board are a part of the franchise.

Houston Texans fans — just in case you didn’t know, here’s the seven draft picks the team will have for the 2019 NFL Draft:

Round 1 (23rd pick)

Round 2 (54th pick)

Round 2 (55th pick)

Round 3 (86th pick)

Round 5 (161st pick)

Round 6 (195th pick)

Round 7 (220th pick)

The Houston Texans have two second-round picks as a result of the Duane Brown trade back in 2017 and a 7th-round pick was traded back to the team as a result of the Demaryius Thomas acquisition last season.  Because of that deal, the team won’t have a fourth-rounder — unless they trade back in — but it’s not something they necessarily have to do as they have plenty of picks to get the talent they need.

So what can we expect out of this season’s draft from Gaine?  I honestly think that we’ll be surprised in regard to which way this team will go in the draft.

Rick Smith’s mantra had become quite predictable — with the exception of the Deshaun Watson trade — and we all knew that Smith’s best drafting attributes were in the first round and being able to acquire quality undrafted free agents.  For the most part, just about everything in-between had a question mark and we were only hoping that they’d pan out.

But to mind over matter, Gaine’s first draft was a successful one.  Justin Reid, Martinas Rankin, Jordan Akins, Keke Coutee, Duke Ejiofor and Peter Kalambayi did contribute to some degree over the course of last season.  Jermaine Kelly, a 7th-round pick out of San Jose State, was stashed away in 2018 so we’ll have to see his progress during the offseason as well as training camp.

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Obviously, Reid and Coutee made the most significant impact when available to play but I do think that the future is bright for Akins, Ejiofor and Kalambayi.  I’d love to see Rankin be converted back to a guard as he had a lot more success — plus it’s his natural position — when lined up within that area of the offensive line.

But which way will the Houston Texans go?  Gaine has an affinity for trading down instead of up in the draft and that’s definitely something he could do if he doesn’t like what he sees when the 23rd pick is up for grabs.

He won’t tell you that he’s going to draft players based on need but will acquire the best talent that’s on the board when it’s his turn to make the call.

But as you watch how the draft unfolds over the course of the three-day bonanza in Nashville, you’re going to be able to see what the Houston Texans feel is a need to improve the team as each pick is announced.

We’ll all be able to make a synopsis at that point but there’s no question that there will be an offensive tackle and a cornerback in the mix somewhere early in the draft.

I can’t wait for Thursday — it’s time to find out what this current regime is up to!