With coach Bill O’Brien managing the general manager duties, the Houston Texans have been busy on the trade market. Over the last three months, he has traded considerable assets — including two first-round picks, a second and a projected two thirds. However, the Texans aren’t entirely devoid of 2020 selections.
Post-trade deadline, Houston has eight draft picks to work with in 2020, including three compensatory selections. One of those picks could either be a third- or fourth-round pick, depending on if Duke Johnson plays at least 10 games on the season.
Houston’s projected 2020 draft picks:
- Second-round (Houston)
- Third- or fourth-round (Houston)
- Third-round (compensatory — Tyrann Mathieu)
- Third-round (compensatory — Kareem Jackson)
- Fourth-round (Miami)
- Fifth-round (Houston)
- Seventh-round (Houston)
- Seventh-round (compensatory — Christian Covington)
According to Over The Cap, the Texans are not projected to lose compensatory picks from their free agency signings. Cornerback Bradley Roby’s $10 million contract isn’t enough to bite into the thirds, while Tashaun Gipson’s contract came as part of a release from Jacksonville.
The Texans once possessed the Seattle Seahawks’ third-round selection. That changed via a trade for cornerback Gareon Conley. They also spent their sixth-round pick on a cornerback, specifically, former Patriot Keion Crossen.
As for the first, Miami owns that as part of the infamous Laremy Tunsil and Kenny Stills trade. However, Houston will get the Dolphins’ fourth, which, with them tanking, should be at the top of the round.
The Texans have traded considerable parts of their future, but they haven’t sold it all away. Former general manager Brain Gaine’s working in the compensatory realm have done Houston well. The two projected thirds obtained via departures allowed the Texans to be flexible in the trade market without the thought of mortgaging their future completely.
In all, five draft picks in the first four rounds should do the Texans well come late April.
