RATING THE TEXANS’ DRAFTEES,
1 WILL FULLER WR, NOTREDAME
HEIGHT: 6-0; WEIGHT: 186
STRENGTHS
Reaches his top speed quickly and excels at taking the defense vertically, using multiple gears to gain separation. Shows a knack for timing his jump and rarely misjudges the trajectory of downfield passes. Aggressively works to get his body situated so that defenders have to go through him at the catch point. Shows a strong plant-and-go quickness in his breaks.
WEAKNESSES
Is a bit on the lean side for an NFL receiver and his functional strength is below average, making him easily knocked off routes and unlikely to pick up extra yards. Has smallish hands and is sometimes prone to relying on body catches. Drops more passes than you’d like to see and can be unreliable on contested balls.
OUTLOOK
Because of a high football IQ, he will be a strong contender for a starting job. But he’ll have to adjust to the demands of being an NFL receiver. Bill O’Brien plans to look at him as a return man.
JOHN MCCLAIN’S GRADE
A- If his hands become more consistent, he can develop into a big-time weapon opposite DeAndre Hopkins.
2 NICK MARTIN OL, NOTRE DAME
HEIGHT: 6-4; WEIGHT: 296
STRENGTHS
The Texans’ second pick from Notre Dame, a twoyear captain for the Irish, was the second-highestrated center on the board because of his solid build, his maturity and his excellent football aptitude. As a collegian, he carried himself like a pro. Technical positives include a knack for holding his ground and being able to peel off defenders on combo blocks.
WEAKNESSES
He’s not an overly imposing physical specimen and tends to struggle with defensive linemen who get on his edge. He also falls off blocks and has a lot to learn about pulling if he plays guard. Despite his intelligence, he’s prone to unnecessary penalties. He has played through more than his fair share of injuries.
OUTLOOK
He and veteran Tony Bergstrom will duke it out at center. Martin’s versatility also makes him a candidate to step in at guard. Whether he starts or not, he figures to get a lot of snaps as a rookie.
JOHN MCCLAIN’S GRADE
A- The secondrated prospect at his position is so good he should start right away and play 10 years.
3 BRAXTON MILLER WR, OHIO STATE
HEIGHT: 6-1; WEIGHT: 201
STRENGTHS
He’s an exceptional athlete. His balance, body control, football instincts and vision are major assets. He’s not as straight-ahead fast as Will Fuller, but he’s quick and possesses the entire skill set necessary to play receiver in the NFL. He has explosive cutting ability and great focus when it comes to following the ball. As a former quarterback, he has a great understanding of the offensive big picture.
WEAKNESSES
Having played receiver for just one season, he’s still learning how to run routes and his footwork needs honing. He’ll sometimes brace himself for contact and he shows tentativeness in space before making a catch. He struggled with bullet throws.
OUTLOOK
He’ll have to fight hard for playing time with the Texans suddenly deep at receiver, but it’s a position where talent always shines through. If he can get open, then hold on to the football, he’ll play a significant role as a rookie.
JOHN MCCLAIN’S GRADE
B+ The former quarterback has size, speed and talent but needs a lot of refinement at wide receiver.
4 TYLER ERVIN RB, SAN JOSE ST.
HEIGHT: 5-10; WEIGHT: 192
STRENGTHS
He proved himself to be one of the most durable, productive and versatile backs in the country last season. He runs tougher than he looks and has excellent balance with a knack for reading blocks and breaking tackles. As a little guy, he knows not to tempt fate, instinctively avoiding punishing hits. And he runs north-south, not east-west.
WEAKNESSES
Obviously lacks the body type you’d like to see in an NFL back, and he’s not a powerful runner. He accelerates so well he sometimes plows into his own blockers. He won’t win many one-on-one battles.
OUTLOOK
If he’s a quick study, he’ll battle Alfred Blue for the backup job behind Lamar Miller and he’ll see plenty of opportunities in passing situations, having caught 45 passes last season. And he’ll definitely factor into the Texans’ kickoff return plans. He had 2,374 return yards in college and ran three kicks back for touchdowns.
JOHN MCCLAIN’S GRADE
A- A terrific athlete who has outstanding speed and quickness. He can run, catch and return kicks.
5 K.J. DILLON S, WEST VIRGINIA
HEIGHT: 6-0; WEIGHT: 210
STRENGTHS
Body type and athleticism make him well-suited for the NFL. He has good length and his ability to attack the catch point helps explain his 20 passes defensed and five interceptions over the past two seasons. He’s especially effective in man coverage against slot receivers.
WEAKNESSES
He was projected as a sixth- or seventh-round pick because his “turn and run” speed is mediocre and he’s a bit stiff backpedaling. He tends to hold when he thinks he’s been beaten. He’s not a great tackler and sometimes gets taken for a ride by running backs. He’s got a lot of work to do on his mechanics.
OUTLOOK
The Texans need new blood at safety. Quintin Demps is getting on in years and Andre Hal has been a stop-gap fill-in. Dillon will get a shot a winning a starting job — probably strong safety — but he’ll first have to make the team as a special-teamer.
JOHN MCCLAIN’S GRADE
C+ He should provide quality depth while competing for a starting job. Could excel on special teams.
5 D.J. READER DT, CLEMSON
HEIGHT: 6-3; WEIGHT: 327
STRENGTHS
Squatty and strong, he’s got a low center of gravity and knows how to leverage blockers to displace them. His big motor keeps him in the play even downfield. He’s strong enough to push the pocket if opponents try to block him one-on-one.
WEAKNESSES
He didn’t have a lot of production in college because he rotated in and out of the lineup. Despite a strong initial push, he doesn’t always shed blockers quickly. He has to learn how to use his hands better and needs to improve his big-picture vision. While trying to fight off a blocker, he sometimes loses track of the ballcarrier.
OUTLOOK
For the moment, he’ll be Vince Wilfork’s backup, but Wilfork’s not going to hang around too much longer, so a good opportunity beckons if Reader can step up his game. He’ll have the chance to learn from one of the best nose tackles ever, so that might speed things up.
JOHN MCCLAIN’S GRADE
C Athletic for a player of his size and lots of upside for a prospect who helped Clemson go to the national title game.