You knew when Bill O’Brien said it that the Houston Texans weren’t going to use every one of their seven picks in the 2020 NFL Draft.
“I think that this year with the unique position that we’re in, I truly believe that this is a veteran type of year,” O’Brien told reporters on April 16. “I think it’s going to be really difficult for rookies without offseason practicing on the field and being able to do all the things that you do during that five-week stretch after the draft and then training camp.”
The Texans traded two of their picks away and ended up making a total of five selections. Here are some grades on the Texans’ 2020 draft class.
2nd round (40th overall), DT Ross Blacklock, TCU
The run on offensive linemen, the three best receivers in the class going in the middle of the first round, and clubs placing an emphasis on quarterbacks allowed top level defensive talent to drop. Picking up the Missouri City Elkins’ product at No. 40 overall was great value. It was also sound decision making on O’Brien’s part to stand pat and make a selection to help the team, rather than back out of the pick and add more draft capital. With Blacklock, the Texans are well on their way to, not only replace free agent D.J. Reader, but have a better defensive tackle in a few seasons.
Grade: A
3rd round (90th overall), OLB Jonathan Greenard, Florida
Greenard was a player that was on the Texans’ radar as far back as the NFL Scouting Combine. The 6-3, 263-pound edge rusher will at least provide insurance if Duke Ejiofor can’t recover from his Achilles injury. At the most, the Texans have an immediate contributor who can be a part of improving the pass rush. Greenard says that he is comfortable playing with his hand in the dirt or upright, though first-year defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver will probably have him play opposite of Whitney Mercilus, who is of comparable build.
Grade: B+
4th round (126th overall), OT Charlie Heck, North Carolina
Heck’s father, Andy Heck, played in the NFL from 1989-2000 and is currently the offensive line coach for the Kansas City Chiefs. The 6-8, 315-pound bookend knows the expectations of an NFL player and also how to conduct himself as an NFL player. It won’t be a knowledge issue if Heck doesn’t work out for the Texans. Heck gives Houston a younger option at swing tackle, or gives them a chance to put him at right guard and kick Tytus Howard inside at right guard.
Grade: B
4th round (141st overall), CB John Reid, Penn State
The Texans have a multitude at cornerback with Bradley Roby, Lonnie Johnson, Phillip Gaines, Cornell Armstrong, Gareon Conley, Vernon Hargreaves, and Keion Crossen. It means someone’s job isn’t safe, or the pick is redundant. O’Brien recruited Reid while he was coach at Penn State and Reid was in high school. Nonetheless, it was a position the Texans didn’t need to address this year or with this pick.
Grade: C
5th round (171st overall), WR Isaiah Coulter, Rhode Island
The Texans need to answer the question of what to do with Will Fuller when his contract expires at the end of the 2020 season. Coulter could develop into becoming a possible replacement for Fuller or even Kenny Stills. It is a safe pick for the Texans as they have Fuller, Stills, Brandin Cooks, Randall Cobb, Keke Coutee, DeAndre Carter, and Steven Mitchell all ahead of Coulter.
Grade: B-
