The Houston Texans got a behemoth who can move beasts in Northern Illinois offensive tackle Max Scharping.
With the club’s 55th overall pick in Round 2 of the 2019 NFL draft, Houston decided to take another offensive tackle after taking Alabama State’s Tytus Howard. With Scharping, the Texans get a decent lineman who ought to be able to help protect quarterback Deshaun Watson, as the Draft Wire’s Jacob Infante explains.
Scharping is a massive man at six-foot-six and 327 pounds. He is a solid athlete who can move laterally pretty well. The strength in his frame is impressive, and he can overpower defenders very well and counter bull rushes with his anchor. His power in his initial punch is notable on tape.
Scharping also has position flex as he played guard in his freshman year. With the drafting of the Northern Illinois product, the Texans are getting younger on the offensive line.
In addition to Scharping’s skills, general manager Brian Gaine also finds Scharping’s master degree impressive.
“It’s certainly a valuable asset to have,” Gaine told reporters at the end of day of the draft on Friday. “It just goes to show you their commitment to learning and educating and improving themselves. To me it displays their willingness to get better.”
If Scharping can combine his smarts and strength at the next level, the Texans offensive line will get better, too.
