Draft options shift after combine
We know the Texans have three picks in the third round of the draft, and it’s no secret what their most pressing needs are. But new general manager Brian Gaine will go to great lengths to not disclose what prospects they like any more or less after spending a week at the scouting combine.
The Texans need an offensive tackle, cornerback, tight end, safety and running back, to name a few. An outside speed rusher for passing situations would be nice, too.
“We have three picks in the third round, which gives us three picks close to the top 100,” Gaine said. “I feel like we have an opportunity to fortify the roster in that round as well as all levels.
“I think history has shown, it’s been proven that you can find starters at (all) levels of the
draft. I’ve had history of doing that myself and then try to supplement the roster through any free-agent opportunities.”
No matter what Gaine does in free agency, which begins next week, they’ll have some of the same needs in the draft, particularly offensive tackle and cornerback.
Before the Texans went to Indianapolis, they had no idea that Oklahoma left tackle Orlando Brown might be available in the third round, and they may have figured they’d have a shot at Penn State’s Brian O’Neill, UCLA’s Kolton Miller and Humbolt State’s Alex Cappa.
Brown may drop
After the combine, those projections may have changed based on their performances.
Brown, 6-8 and 345, was projected as a first-round pick, but his combine performance — 5.85 seconds in the 40-yard dash and 14 reps on the 225-pound bench press — may have knocked him out of the first round. And possibly even the second unless he makes an amazing turnaround at the Sooners’ pro day.
Brown, strong, smart and physical, engulfs pass rushers, but it appears he lacks the athleticism to play left tackle in the NFL. The son of the late Orlando “Zeus” Brown has a lot of improving to do before the draft (April 26-28).
Miller, 6-8 and 309, is as tall as Brown but a much better athlete. He ran a 4.95, stunning for a player his size. He also did well in the drills and went from a fourth-round projection to a second-round prospect — or maybe the third round.
O’Neill, 6-5½ and 297, blew away the scouts with his athleticism, especially his speed. He ran a 4.82 and showed a lot of natural talent to protect a quarterback’s blind side. After the combine, he’s projected to be taken in the second round.
Cappa came out of nowhere at the combine and impressed scouts and coaches. He may be available in the third round.
When it’s the Texans’ time to pick in the third round, two more tackles to keep an eye on are Ohio State’s Jamarco Jones and Louisville’s Geron Christian.
The bottom line on this group of offensive tackles is that there’s not a lot of sure-fired first-round talent, but there’s enough depth to see teams make a run on them in the second and third rounds.
Now, let’s look at how the cornerbacks’ performance in Indianapolis may have affected what the Texans end up doing.
The goal in the draft and free agency is to get faster and better at defensive back, especially at cornerback. The cornerbacks were the fastest group at the combine, with at least eight running the 40 in the 4.3s.
“Very important, at all levels,” Gaine said about emphasizing speed in the secondary. “That’ll always be a point of emphasis for us at all positions, equally athleticism.”
Cornerback options
Because of speed and depth at cornerback, the Texans should have options in the third round.
Teams never seem to have enough corners. Alabama’s Tony Brown, 6-0 and 198, ran a 4.35. His stock is on the rise, and he may be selected in the second round.
After the combine, two more to watch as third-round possibilities as they approach their pro days are Florida’s Duke Dawson and Illinois State’s Davontae Harris.
Because of injuries and C.J. Fiedorowicz’s possible retirement, the Texans are going to need a tight end in the draft if they don’t solve the problem in free agency.
Before the combine, Penn State tight end Mike Gesicki (6-5, 247) seemed to be a good candidate to be drafted in the third round, but no more.
Gesicki was exceptional at Lucas Oil Stadium, running a 4.54 and excelling in all of the individual drills. Now, he looks like a second-round pick.
The saving grace is that tight end is a deep position, and Gaine might be able to get a good one if he wants to use one of his thirdround picks.
Two more possible candidates are Stanford’s Dalton Schultz and Indiana’s Ian Thomas.
After pro days and private workouts, players can continue to rise and fall. What the Texans need are enough quality prospects to give them multiple options when they make their third-round picks.