It’s been a gloomy few months in Houston, where the Texans finished 4-12. They fired head coach Bill O’Brien and granted J.J. Watt his release, which left and exposed a handful of gaping losses on the roster. The draft this April gives them an opportunity to fill some of those holes and add depth despite not owning a pick in the first or second rounds.
In a time where it seems as if the Texans can’t do anything right, let’s break down what picks they should make if they want to improve their team in this month’s draft.
The PFF Mock Draft simulator was used for this article.
Make sure to check out all of our other NFL Team Mock Drafts.
Round 3, Pick 67: Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky
Davis has been a player gaining hype as a mid-second-round option, with some analysts even willing to list him at the end of the first round. Regardless of where you rank him, being able to draft a player like Davis at No. 67 overall is a true value selection. He fits nicely in a 4-3 while the Texans run a 3-4, which might be the only concern with this pick. Outside of that, he possesses the range and speed necessary to be a beast in the NFL.
For more on Davis, check out our scouting report on him here.
Round 4, Pick 109: Milton Williams, DL, Louisiana Tech
Williams has solid agility and can line up on the interior or exterior of defensive lines. He is very impressive against the run, which could be huge in a division containing Derrick Henry, Jonathan Taylor, and James Robinson. The Bulldog plays with power and force, and he’s not afraid to be gritty. He has a high upside as he reaches the pros and could be a nice addition to a Texans defense that is being rebuilt following the loss of J.J. Watt.
Round 5, Pick 147: Dax Milne, WR, BYU
Milne is a competitive, big-play player who built a nice rapport with Zach Wilson at BYU. He has great hands and plays with physicality as he is willing and able to make contested catches. He has some good footwork, too, though he lacks true athleticism. Still, he could have a role right away in the Houston passing game following the departures of Will Fuller, Chad Hansen, and Darren Fells.
For more on Milne, check out our scouting report on him here.
Round 5, Pick 158: Khalil Herbert, RB, Virginia Tech
Before you go berserk over this pick, take a deep breath and at least consider the circumstances. The Texans’ lead back is David Johnson, a veteran who is showing signs of a quick decline. Behind him is Mark Ingram, who opened 2020 as the starting running back on the most run-heavy team in football, then finished the year by being cut. At this point, one could argue that Phillip Lindsay is the only relevant runner in the Broncos’ backfield. He’s not bad by any means, but the potential turmoil at the position should force Houston to take the next runner available here.
Round 6, Pick 195: Malcolm Koonce, EDGE, Buffalo
A lanky defender with a large wingspan, Koonce is a decent player with some versatility in the Texans’ 3-4 scheme. While he may lack in physicality and aggressiveness, he makes up for it with a great motor and plenty of motivation to attack the ball-carrier. As a late-round pick, he likely won’t start, but there’s a case to be made to keep him on the regular-season roster depending on how the position battles look in camp.
Round 6, Pick 203: Khyiris Tonga, DL, BYU
Tonga is a prolific run defender with a nose for the football. Physical and strong with good length, he has the ability to penetrate offensive lines and wrap up the ball-carrier. He’ll align on the interior with Houston. Adding Tonga here would merely be a move prompted by a search for depth.
Round 6, Pick 212: Antonio Nunn, WR, Buffalo
Nunn is an interesting pick here and hasn’t drawn major attention, but PFF’s simulator ranked him highly so he was worth taking a chance on. The Buffalo product has solid size and looked really good in college, constantly improving in an offense that really focused more on the running game. Speedy with impressive burst, Nunn now needs to work on his downfield speed if he ever wants to become a true deep threat.
Round 7, Pick 233: Sam Ehlinger, QB, Texas
In the final round of the draft, Houston addresses its ever-varying quarterback rumors. Clarity has yet to surface on the Deshaun Watson front while the Texans also brought in two reliable options in Tyrod Taylor and Ryan Finley. This pair of signal-callers is solid but aging. Ehlinger would provide both youth and competition when training camp commences this summer.
For more on Ehlinger, check out our scouting report on him here.
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