The NFL Draft kicks off April 23, and the Houston Texans can still make significant selections to bolster their 2020 roster.
The staff at the Texans Wire took a look at the prospects and came up with their own draft class to help general manager Bill O’Brien. Here is a look at each mock draft.
LSU to the rescue
The Texans have some holes on the defensive side of the ball. Their offense is loaded with versatile and speed, the Texans will focus on the defensive side of the ball in this year’s draft. With their first pick selecting Grant Delpit out of LSU and then selecting another LSU stud defensive tackle Rashard Lawerence to help fill the hole that was left by DJ Reader. Houston will have to make some impactful moves to sow up that defensive side of the ball, in 2020 the defense will be just has important has their offensive moves have been this past free agency period. — Chris Nalls
2nd round (40th overall) — S Grant Delpit, LSU
3rd round (90th overall) — DT Rashard Lawrence, LSU
4th round (111th overall) — CB A.J. Green, Oklahoma State
5th round (171st overall) — S Brian Cole, Mississippi State
7th round (240th overall) — G Cameron Clark, Charlotte
7th round (248th overall) — C Calvin Throckmorton, Oregon
7th round (250th overall) — DT John Penisini, Utah
Cutting edge
The Texans’ pass rush needs to get younger. Defensive end J.J. Watt is 31 years old and outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus will be 30 years old when Week 1 arrives. New defensive coordinator needs proven talent in case Brennan Scarlett has hit his ceiling, Jacob Martin can’t take the next step, or Duke Ejiofor is unable to recover from his Achilles injury. Houston could also use some younger offensive line player to find a replacement for Zach Fulton. — Mark Lane
2nd round (40th overall) — OLB Terrell Lewis, Alabama
3rd round (90th overall) — OLB Jonathan Greenard, Florida
4th round (111th overall) — RB A.J. Dillon, Boston College
5th round (171st overall) — G Damien Lewis, LSU
7th round (240th overall) — CB Lamar Jackson, Nebraska
7th round (248th overall) — OT Trey Adams, Washington
7th round (250th overall) — DT Carlos Davis, Nebraska
Trader Bill deals again
With this mock draft I went for the “Trader Bill” approach and made three trades moving back twice and up once. Raekwon Davis is an extremely rangy defensive tackle who, while rough around the edges, is a giant inside the line and has the frame and power to create exceptional leverage at times. A developmental prospect to sit behind Tim Jernigan, Davis could be the eventual replacement for D.J. Reader. Logan Stenberg could challenge for the right guard spot immediately, and otherwise will give them much needed depth behind Zach Fulton.
A.J. Dillon would be an excellent backup to the Johnson’s, who could take over the downhill running that Carlos Hyde fared so well with last season. Antonio Golden-Gandy is a steal in my opinion, who could challenge DeAndre Carter for the returner role immediately and for a backup receiver role down the line. Alohi Gilman and Lamar Jackson both provide depth in the defensive backfield along with good upsides, and Bryce Huff will give the Texans depth at outside linebacker. — Anthony Wood
2nd round (56th overall) — DT Raekwon Davis, Alabama
3rd round (92nd overall) — G Logan Stenberg, Kentucky
4th round (111th overall) — RB A.J. Dillon, Boston College
4th round (115th overall) — WR Antonio Golden-Gandy, Liberty
5th round (171st overall) — S Alohi Gilman, Notre Dame
7th round (240th overall) — CB Lamar Jackson, Nebraska
7th round (248th overall) — OLB Bryce Huff, Memphis
It is also worth noting that the wheeling and dealing cost the Texans’ their 2021 third-round pick, but picked up a 2021 sixth-round selection from the Miami Dolphins.
Getting defensive back help
2nd round (40th overall) — S Grant Delpit, LSU
With the Texans first selection of the 2020 NFL Draft, I decided to stay put and landed on Louisiana State safety Grant Delpit without trading up. The selection of Delpit creates an excellent future duo with Justin Reid, regardless if brother Eric Reid does end up joining Houston for the 2020 campaign. Delpit is excellent in coverage and has a knack for finding the ball. Despite his problems tackling, the dynamic talent represents an upgrade from Tashaun Gipson that could also slide into the nickel position if needed.
3rd round (90th overall) — OT Prince Tega Wanogho, Auburn
Tega Wanohgo was a second-team All-SEC selection following his senior year at Auburn. The 6’5, 300 pound tackle represents an excellent insurance policy if Tytus Howard were to go down again and would be an excellent play at right guard while he works through some of the technical nuances of offensive line play that troubled him at Auburn. This isn’t the team’s biggest need but he represents amazing value at #90 and would certainly find playing time in 2020.
4th round (111th pick) — CB Amik Robertson, Louisiana Tech
Although only standing at 5-8, Robertson was a feisty cornerback at Louisiana Tech who more than showed that he could hold his own. He was a freshman all-American in 2018 and would lead Tech in interceptions during all three of his seasons. His lack of physical traits mean that Robertson is unlikely to be selected high however, in an evolving NFL where we see teams play additional corners more every season, Robertson could slide into the nickel corner position as a rookie and potentially grow into a bigger role. His ball skills are too much for the Texans to pass on.
5th round (171st overall) — OLB Anfernee Jennings, Alabama
In the fifth round, the redshirt Senior from Alabama represents a value selection for the Texans. Jennings could play limited snap at outside linebacker and potentially contribute to a pass-rush that many are troubled about for Houston. In 2019, Jennings was an All-SEC selection and that kind of blue-blood talented is simply too much for the Texans to let slide this late into the draft.
7th round (240th overall) — CB Essang Bassey, Wake Forest
Bassey had an excellent sophomore campaign with the Demon Deacons and was discussed as a first 3-4 round selection leading into 2019. His poor play works to the Texans advantage, as they take a third pick to attempt to bolster the secondary in a pass-happy AFC.
7th round (248th overall) — WR Kendrick Rogers, Texas A&M
With a loaded receiver corps, Rogers is unlikely to see the field but would represent the team’s largest body at the position and would have a chance to learn and develop before potentially serving as a red-zone threat in 2021. Not to mention a potential early entrance if wide receiver injuries play out as many anticipate with the Texans cast of wideouts.
7th round (250th overall) — G Michael Onwenu, Michigan
Onwenu represents insurance at the guard position for a Texans offensive line that can never seem to stay healthy.
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