Draft teems with 2 franchise needs
O’Brien should see plenty of cornerbacks, pass rushers to choose from in second round
Let’s preface this by pointing out what the Texans do in next month’s draft depends on what Bill O’Brien accomplishes in free agency.
We’d be naïve to think — based on what we’ve seen of him so far — O’Brien won’t be active in free agency that begins 3 p.m. March 18. During the previous two days, teams can negotiate with agents representing free agents from other teams but can’t sign them.
The Texans’ most glaring needs are cornerbacks and pass rushers. If they can re-sign Bradley Roby, that would help the problem, but they’ll still need to use one of their premium picks on another one.
O’Brien also needs to bolster the pass rush. If the Texans are unable to sign nose tackle D.J. Reader to a new contract and allow him to reach free agency, he’s history. And that would be a shame because Reader is the essence of what O’Brien calls a “good teammate.”
But there’s only so much money to go around, especially when O’Brien is hoping to sign quarterback Deshaun Watson, left tackle Laremy Tunsil and inside linebacker Zach Cunningham to extensions. If Reader leaves, replacing him will become a priority, too.
Let’s set aside free agency for another day and focus on the draft because the combine ended last week. The Texans are fortunate because the positions they need to fill the most, cornerback and inside pass rusher, have talent and depth.
At this stage of the scouting process, with pro days and private workouts to go, the Texans should get a couple or three players who can contribute as rookies despite not having a first-round draft choice. Miami has their pick, 26th overall, because of the Tunsil trade.
Let’s start with interior defensive linemen who might contribute to the pass rush. The two best tackles, Auburn’s Derrick Brown and South Carolina’s Javon Kinlaw —will be taken in the top half of the first round.
After Brown and Kinlaw, scouts are divided on the next-best inside pass rushers, and that includes ends who are projected to slide inside in passing situations.
After Brown and Kinlaw, another inside pass rusher might not be drafted in the first round. If that ends up happening, it’ll be good for the Texans, whose first pick is 57th overall.
From what we’ve observed of O’Brien since he got final say on personnel after general manager Brian Gaine was fired in June, don’t be surprised if he trades up in the second round if there’s a prospect he falls in love with.
By the way, if you’re checking out mock drafts that go through three rounds, you’ll notice they have Cleveland with the Texans’ third-round pick because of last year’s trade for running back Duke Johnson.
If the Texans get a third-round compensatory pick for safety Tyrann Mathieu leaving in free agency, as expected, it’ll go to the Browns instead. That would leave the Texans with picks in the second and third rounds and two in the fourth.
With a lot of player evaluation to go before the draft April 23-25, it looks as if defensive tackles and ends — who can move inside in passing situations — should be plentiful.
In all likelihood, O’Brien would have to trade up in the second round to get a tackle such as Texas A&M’s Justin Madubuike, Auburn’s Marlon Davidson, TCU’s Ross Blacklock, Missouri’s Jordan Elliott and Oklahoma’s Neville Gallimore — assuming none slip into the first round, which is possible.
Others who should be available in the second round are Alabama’s Raekwon Davis, Baylor’s James Lynch and North Carolina’s
Jason Strowbridge.
Scouts are intrigued by the Nebraska twins, Khalil Davis (4.75) and Carlos Davis (4.82), big men who ran outstanding times in the 40-yard dash. Both could be available in the third round.
If O’Brien signs a veteran cornerback in free agency, he’ll still need to use a premium pick on another one. All we know at this point is Ohio State’s Jeff Okudah is a tremendous prospect who’s expected to be among the topfive picks. And Florida’s CJ Henderson seems to have solidified his spot at No. 2 behind Okudah with an impressive combine.
After Okudah and Henderson, teams could reach on cornerbacks at the bottom of the first round. Whether they do or don’t, there should be a run on corners beginning in the second round and lasting through the fourth. That’s good news for the Texans.
A lot of scouts believe Alabama’s Trevon Diggs and Clemson’s A.J. Terrell will end up in the first round. O’Brien might have to trade up for a chance to select TCU’s Jeff Gladney or Auburn’s Noah Igbinoghene.
Talented corners who could be available at 57 are Utah’s Jaylon Johnson, Virginia’s Bryce Hall, Ohio State’s Damon Arnette, Notre Dame’s Troy Pride and Mississippi State’s Cameron Dantzler.
Dantzler will have to run better at his pro day than he ran in Indianapolis (4.64), or his stock will continue to drop.
Two intriguing corners are Utah’s Javelin Guidry and Florida State’s Stanford Samuels III but for different reasons. Guidry ran a 4.29 and benched 225 pounds 21 times – amazing for a player who’s 5-9, 191. Samuels ran 4.65 and better be faster at his pro day.
No matter what O’Brien does in free agency, it says here he’ll select a cornerback, interior pass rusher and a fast wide receiver among the Texans’ top-four picks.