Houston Texans Draft Analysis: Grades and Impact for every player

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Houston Texans FB Cullen Gillaspia (Photo by Daniel Dunn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Texas A&M. player. 10. Pick Analysis. FB. Cullen Gillaspia. 220. Scouting Report

Grade: A+

If you don’t follow Texas A&M football, you likely don’t know who Cullen Gillaspia is. If you do follow Texas A&M football, you likely love Cullen Gillaspia and his flowing mane. Gilly, as he’s affectionately known in Aggieland, is a former walk-on from Katy Taylor High School.

Gilly earned the coveted number 12 jersey representing the 12th man at Texas A&M. If you don’t know about that tradition you can read more here about what an important thing it is to the University. He walked on as a linebacker and earned the number 12 jersey as a special teams ace and part-time linebacker.

Prior to the 2018 season, Jimbo Fisher and his staff moved him over from linebacker to fullback and the transition could not have gone better. He steadily improved as a blocker, ball carrier, and pass catcher. He also helped fellow 2019 draftee Trayveon Williams gain over 1,700 rushing yards.

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Gilly has soft hands out of the backfield and has surprising ability to make guys miss. At 6’1″, 235 lbs, he is a tremendous athlete, as evidenced by his 4.53 40 yard dash at his pro day. Many won’t like the decision to pick a full back but O’Brien loves having an additional guy in the backfield and Gilly’s skill set and special teams prowess is truly dynamic.

Impact: Special teams ace and cult leader

Gilly, like most seventh round picks, is going to have to earn his keep and stay on the 53 man roster by being a special teams ace. Fortunately, that was a role he filled extremely at A&M, both when he was a linebacker and a full back.

So, he shouldn’t have any issue earning a spot on both kick and punt coverage teams because he is a player that will give max effort every time he steps foot on the gridiron. He is a true grit and grind, all heart player that you never have to question what you’re going to get from him.

Additionally, Gilly was a cult hero and cult leader while at A&M due to his high effort play and knack for showing up in big moments, like blocking punts. Oh, and you can’t forget those long, flowing, golden locks. He’ll be an instant fan favorite once he steps on to the field.

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Overall, I’d have to give the Houston Texans a B- grade for now. It was pretty good filled with a ton of athletes who filled positions of need but there weren’t any “wow” picks that just blew me away. What would you grade the Texans draft?

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