The Houston Texans offensive line gave up 62 sacks in 2018, the most in the NFL. This was after a season when the club surrendered 54 sacks, the second-most in the league.
First-year general manager Brian Gaine didn’t have the draft resources to address the unit, but he did the best he could by taking Mississippi State offensive tackle in the third-round of the 2018 NFL draft. Now, with a first-round pick at his disposal, Gaine ought to consider another Southeastern Conference offensive lineman.
Enter former Florida Gators offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor. The 6-5, 328-pound pass protector from Cocoa, Fla., would be one of the offensive lineman available to the Texans at 23rd overall. Taylor is also a prospect that Benjamin Solak of The Draft Network believes would help the 2018 AFC South champions.
Taylor comes in as my OT3, and a better player than 23 overall, so this is a nice little fall for the Texans. Dude’s a huge body and great mover, with better hands than he’s being given credit for. I love his recognition and discipline as well.
The 21-year-old is considered Walter Football’s top-rated offensive tackle prospect of the draft, according to Charlie Campbell.
Taylor was excellent for the Gators in 2018. He was steady in pass protection and tough as a run blocker. In speaking to team sources after the end of the regular season, multiple teams said they had Taylor as the top offensive line prospect for the 2019 NFL Draft. They felt that Taylor would be the first blocker drafted and could go high in the first round. Some team sources weren’t quite as high on Taylor and wanted him to be a bit more consistent, but even they believed he could be a high first-rounder.
The insertion of former Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Kyler Murray into the draft may shake up the first round, so there could be an opportunity for Taylor to fall to Houston. If so, the Texans need to consider taking him and beefing up the offensive line.
