Along with our colleagues at 5 Yard Rush, Texans Wire participated in a mock draft Monday that was a truly live mock draft much like the real one that kicks off April 25. This mock draft was not based on purely hypothetical scenarios.
That means fans and writers who represented their respective teams were given one minute per selection. The only other aspect that was not like the real thing was the fact it only ran through the third round. Nonetheless, it is a good example of how drafts happen when the entire human variable is involved.
Round 1 (23rd overall) — Dalton Risner, OT, Kansas State
An aggressive and powerful blocker, Risner has the potential to become an NFL starter immediately. Some might be put off by his relatively mild injury history, but with such glaring holes on the offensive line, the Texans cannot afford to be put off by something that may not prove to be a long term issue.
The 23-year-old is 6-5 and 312 pounds, with a 34-inch wingspan and 10 and a quarter inch hands, all extremely desirable in an offensive tackle, as this gives him plenty of strength while also allowing him a large tackle radius and range to cover.
Naturally, he isn’t perfect. He isn’t particularly quick and has issues against lighter shiftier edge rushers, occasionally losing track of them. However, he has a high ceiling and high floor, and with just Seantrel Henderson currently at right tackle, the Texans need another option.
Round 2 (54th overall) — Trayvon Mullen, CB, Clemson
After a run of cornerbacks went early in the second round, one of the remaining names was former Clemson corner, Mullen. As is well know, the Texans aren’t shy of drafting out of Clemson, with the likes of DeAndre Hopkins, Deshaun Watson, and Carlos Watkins all currently on the roster.
A speedy corner, Mullen clocked a 4.47 in the 40-yard dash and an impressive 123.0-inch broad jump at the combine. Standing at 6-1, 199 pounds, with a 31-inch wingspan and nine and an eighth inch hands, he is a rangy corner with good size and a slender frame. This lack of bulk could be an issue when it comes to guarding bulkier NFL receivers, and as a result, he may need to add muscle when it comes to the pros.
However, with 41 starts in three years, seven defended passes and four interceptions he is experienced as a starter. A hard-hitting tackler, he would be an effective addition as a blitzer and a strong replacement for Kareem Jackson.
Round 2 (55th overall) — Yodny Cajuste, OT, West Virginia
The Texans may have a young left tackle in Julién Davenport, but the fact of the matter is he has failed to live up to expectations in his two years as a starter. Thrust into the lineup after Duane Brown’s somewhat unceremonious exit, Davenport has struggled from the start. He attracts far too many penalties thanks to his somewhat jumpy nature off the snap, his blocking has been poor and he lacks bulk.
Despite the signing of former Pro Bowl left tackle, Matt Kalil, earlier this offseason, his injury history and lack of consistency the past few years throws into question whether or not he will even make the roster come September. As a result, don’t be surprised if the Texans use another high-value pick on an offensive tackle.
Cajuste is a good run blocker with great size and power. At 6-5, 312 pounds, with a 34-inch wingspan and 10-inch hands, he has an ideal frame for the position. He needs to work on his consistency as he can lose track of oncoming rushers when there are pre-snap adjustments on defense, however, he has great potential to become a starter.
Round 3 (86th overall) — Bryce Love, RB, Stanford
One of my favorite sleeper picks in the draft, Love has bags of potential. Despite recent ACL surgery and a dip in productivity this past season, he would be a great pickup. He has speed to burn, can find gaps to work with, and would add an extra layer to this run game. In my opinion, he is somewhat comparable to Tarik Cohen or Alvin Kamara in that while he can run, he would also be very useful in the passing game, an area where current starter Lamar Miller lacks.
At 5-9, 200 pounds he lacks height, but despite this he has the potential to be extremely productive and a great value pick, much like fellow Stanford alumni and Texans third-round pick Justin Reid.
