The State of the Texans:
There is not much positive to say going on in Houston, besides being free of the never-ending news cycle of Deshaun Watson rumors. Acquiring multiple years of extra draft picks, the Texans put themselves in a great spot to improve.
New head coach Lovie Smith looks to take a team in the bottom 5 of virtually all efficiency metrics, and turn it around.
Every position is a need for this team as they are certainly in “best player available” mode. Tytus Howard and Laremy Tunsil will be a capable blindside to incumbent QB Davis Mills, as well as Brandin Cooks as a No. 1 option, but both sides of the ball are desperate for talent.
#3 Overall
Kayvon Thibodeaux – Edge – Oregon
Thibodeaux is a game-changing pass rusher and strong run defender who plays with heavy hands and good leverage, though he needs to improve his flexibility and run a hotter motor to become a more complete player.
If a No. 1 overall talent is going to make it to pick number 3, Houston should spend no more than 30 seconds on the clock. The ceiling is too high.
Neal is a young prospect with the rare combination of size and athletic ability that give him both a high floor and a Hall of Fame ceiling as a blind-side protector.
Even with Laremy Tunsil at left tackle, Neal’s versatility and athletic abilities are too high to pass on. Get him on the team and figure out alignment later.
#13 Overall
Davis is a powerful and physically imposing nose tackle with the ability to become a true game wrecker up the middle of the field as long as he improves his effort level and stamina.
The heart of a dominant defense, Davis’ play style and build requires a ton of opposing line attention. He would make all other rusher’s lives easier while dominating on run defense.
Jermaine Johnson II – Edge – Florida State
With his pass rush ability, strength, and power, Johnson should make an instant impact at the next level, though he needs to become more consistent across all areas of the game to hit his full potential.
A “best player available” selection for a team with virtually no pass rush. Johnson can step in Day 1 and play at an NFL level.
Garrett Wilson – WR – Ohio State
Wilson has the speed, route running, and ballcarrying traits that excite teams, and if he can work on attacking the ball when it’s in the air and improving his ability along the sideline, he will be a strong starter very early in his NFL career.
Wide receiver might not be a top priority, but a full audition for Davis Mills as a franchise QB requires more than just Brandin Cooks as a pass-catcher.
#37 Overall
Ojabo is an excellent athlete with the speed, range, bend, and flexibility to be a force as a pass-rush specialist, but he needs to get stronger and just see more reps in order to develop into an all-around player at the next level.
Give him all the time he needs to recover from the Achilles tear, and get a first round player at a massive discount.
Walker’s ability to defend the run and play in zone coverage make him an intriguing prospect at his size and athletic profile, and if he can continue to improve his instincts, he has the potential to be a high-level starter at the next level.
Walker’s diverse skill set and high athletic potential make him an easy “BPA” style pick.
Sam Howell – QB – North Carolina
Howell has the arm strength, mobility, and improvisational skills to be productive at the next level, but his lack of eye discipline, pocket awareness, and footwork might make it tough for him to be more than a circumstantial starter.
Davis Mills may or may not be the answer to the Texans puzzle. But it isn’t often a QB with so much starting experience and production history is available in the 2nd round.
#68 Overall
Troy Andersen – LB – Montana State
Andersen’s versatility and FCS production may only be matched by his intangibles, but he’ll need to improve his play strength and continue growing his defensive comfortability to become more than a quality, position-fluid backup and special teamer.
A dominant FCS linebacker who has repeatedly dominated in different draft events. Yes, please.
Phidarian Mathis – DT – Alabama
Mathis’ excellent length and consistent snap-to-whistle effort will get him playing time at the next level, but he’ll need to better utilize that length and improve the power in his lower half to become the three-down starter his tools suggest he could be.
Mathis’ high work rate and competitiveness have led to excellent Total Points Ratings in both the run and pass game.
#80 Overall
Isaiah Spiller – RB – Texas A&M
Spiller is a playmaker who has the vision, speed, and COD ability to become an all-down player at the next level, though he’ll need to shore up the ball-security mistakes and improve in pass pro to hit his full potential.
Rather than a revolving door of veterans, the Texans can take a local hero and make him a centerpiece of an offense void of young talent.
Ingram is gap-scheme-specific, and his limited athletic ability and finesse traits could hold him back if misutilized, but his pulling prowess, point-of-attack tenacity and power, and pass pro awareness should make him a starting-caliber NFL guard.
The Texans’ usage of a gap-scheme running front gives them a valuable startable guard in Ingram, one that other teams can’t fit as well.
To learn more about the Texans and their needs, visit their team page on our NFL Draft website here.
