Houston Texans Rumors: Seven round mock draft 5.0 with trades
By T.A. Mock
![Houston Texans HC Bill O'Brien(Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) Houston Texans HC Bill O'Brien(Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/eeef2f8d75fc25210992b6d7fd14e90db03c32265ad836eb339960b626f9505a.jpg)
In draft circles, there is a common thought process that teams should always look to add at least one player on either side of the trenches to anchor the team on both sides of the ball. In this scenario, the Houston Texans have already double-dipped in the offensive trenches so, it’s time to turn their eyes to the defensive trenches.
Of course, the Texans already have J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney being the big guns in the defensive trenches and they also either issued tenders or re-signed multiple guys along the defensive line in Angelo Blackson, Joel Heath, and Brandon Dunn. So, there may not seem like there is a spot but when you can improve through the draft, you do it.
Byron Cowart was the top prospect for his senior class out of high school as an edge rusher. After earning All-American honors and Player of the Year Honors in Florida, he committed to play ball at Auburn. Unfortunately, he was never able to crack the rotation and get consistent playing time as a Tiger.
That, coupled with health issues for his mother led him to transfer to a Junior College close to home for a year before he went off to Maryland for his senior season. He finally got that consistent playing time and finally started to produce. It wasn’t five-star prospect production but it was good, solid production.
Cowart has very, very good size, length, and power but his major flop after being a top recruit will drop him down draft boards. However, Cowart has the chops to turn into a good interior pass rusher or good end in a 3-4 defense. The Houston Texans should take a shot on a former elite prospect that now has a chip on his shoulder.