Ben Arthur
AFC South Reporter
The Texans have been one of many NFL’s most aggressive groups this offseason.
They acquired star receiver Stefon Diggs and former Professional Bowl operating again Joe Mixon through trades. They made massive free-agent investments in edge rusher Danielle Hunter, defensive lineman Denico Autry and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair. On paper, they’ve assembled a workforce that is poised to be one of many AFC’s elite.
So what may very well be in retailer come draft time?
Houston would not have a first-round decide after buying and selling No. 23 general in a take care of the Minnesota Vikings final month, however the Texans do have three alternatives on Day 2: Nos. 42, 59 and 86. In addition they have two picks within the fourth, sixth and seventh rounds.
Right here is FOX Sports activities’ seven-round mock draft for Houston:
Spherical 2, No. 42 general (through the Minnesota Vikings): Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
Measurables: 5-foot-11, 186 kilos
2023 stats (14 video games): 8 PBUs, 37 tackles (3.5 for loss), 0.5 sacks
Steven Nelson, who stays a free agent, is not anticipating to be again. That leaves a gap at beginning cornerback alongside Derek Stingley Jr. The Texans have made low-risk, high-upside strikes on the place in including former top-10 picks Jeff Okudah and CJ Henderson on one-year offers, however they should be pondering long-term on the place.
Lassiter, an All-SEC second-team choice in 2023, confirmed his mettle in opposition to a few of faculty soccer’s finest receivers. He allowed only a 38.5% completion fee in protection final season, No. 1 within the SEC and fourth-best amongst FBS cornerbacks who performed at the least 299 protection snaps, in line with Professional Soccer Focus.
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Spherical 2, No. 59 general: T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas
Measurables: 6-foot-4, 366 kilos
2023 stats (14 video games): 45 tackles (8 for loss), 2 sacks, 7 QB hits, 4 PBUs, 1 blocked kick (particular groups)
Regardless of the heavy funding upfront in free company (Hunter, Autry), it might be surprising to see the Texans go away Day 2 of the draft with out taking a defensive lineman. They want a starting-caliber defensive sort out after buying and selling Maliek Collins to the 49ers. Essentially the most important addition to the spot has been ex-Jaguar Foley Fatukasi, who signed a one-year, $5.1 million deal in free company.
The Texans might have a main alternative to maintain Sweat, seen as one of many high defensive tackles on this 12 months’s class, in state. His current arrest in Austin on a cost of suspicion of driving whereas intoxicated might gasoline character considerations, dropping his inventory. Houston should do its homework to verify Sweat is a tradition match, however the franchise has sturdy management in coach DeMeco Ryans and several other veterans on the defensive position.
The previous Longhorns star could be a troublesome prospect to go on if he is out there within the 50s. He was the Huge 12 Defensive Participant of the Yr and Outland Trophy winner, which is awarded to the nation’s high inside lineman. At 366 kilos, he initiatives to be troublesome for opposing offensive linemen to maneuver, clearing up house and playmaking alternatives for his teammates.
Spherical 3, No. 86 general (through the Philadelphia Eagles): Ben Sinnott, TE, Kansas State
Measurables: 6-foot-4, 250 kilos
2023 stats (12 video games): 49 catches for 676 yards and 6 TDs
The Texans re-signed beginning tight finish Dalton Schultz on a three-year deal, however they want depth behind him. Houston’s TE2, Brevin Jordan, is about to hit free company after the 2024 season.
Sinnott had the fourth-highest athletic rating amongst all tight ends who participated within the 2024 NFL Scouting Mix. The primary-team All-Huge 12 choice and third-team AP All-American would deliver extra pass-catching worth to a C.J. Stroud-led offense. He additionally has blocking upside as he performed some fullback for Kansas State.
Ben Sinnott scores a 15-yard TD vs. Iowa State
Spherical 4, No. 123 general (through the Cleveland Browns): Christian Jones, OT, Texas
Measurables: 6-foot-5, 305 kilos
2023 stats (13 video games): Beginning all 13 video games at proper sort out
Count on the Texans to dip into what’s thought-about one of many deepest offensive sort out courses in years. Their No. 3 sort out, George Fant, departed in free company to signal with the Seahawks. Fant began 13 video games for Houston final season.
Jones, an honorable point out All-Huge 12 in back-to-back seasons, is smart as a possible substitute. He began 35 video games at proper sort out and 13 video games at left sort out in his faculty profession.
[Rob Rang: 2024 NFL Draft OT rankings: Scouting the best tackle class in 20-plus years]
Spherical 4, No. 127 general: Dominique Hampton, S, Washington
Measurables: 6-foot-2, 215 kilos
2023 stats (15 video games): 109 tackles, 2 INTs, 9 PBUs
The Texans want a backup security who might probably develop right into a starter, competing with free-agent acquisition Lonnie Johnson Jr.
Veteran Jimmie Ward, who’s coming into a contract 12 months, missed seven video games final season resulting from harm, and Jalen Pitre had an up-and-down second season. That contributed to Houston’s inconsistency within the again finish. In 2023, the workforce allowed 60 explosive receptions (20-plus yards), sixth-most within the league, in line with Sportradar.
An honorable point out within the Pac-12 final season, Hampton led Washington in tackles. He has good size and pace for a security (ran a 4.45-second 40 at his professional day), and constructed a fame as an explosive striker as a tackler in faculty.
Spherical 6, No. 188 general (through the Minnesota Vikings): Marist Liufau, LB, Notre Dame
Measurables: 6-foot-2, 234 kilos
2023 stats (12 video games): 44 tackles (6 for loss), 3 sacks, 2 PBUs, 1 FF, FR
The highest of the Texans’ linebacker room is about (Al-Shaair, Henry To’oTo’o, Christian Harris), however Houston might use some depth and particular groups worth at this level within the draft.
A two-year starter at Notre Dame, Liufau has a burst and violence to his recreation that ought to make him priceless on Houston’s high-ranked particular groups unit as he develops on protection.
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Spherical 6, No. 189 general (through the Buffalo Payments): Keith Randolph Jr., DT, Illinois
Measurables: 6-foot-3, 296 kilos
2023 stats (10 video games): 49 tackles (4 for loss), 1.5 sacks, 4 QB hits, 1 PBU
At Illinois, Randolph was high 5 within the FBS in tackles per recreation amongst defensive tackles. He would add extra depth on the defensive position, which the Texans have made a precedence this offseason.
Spherical 7, No. 238 general (through the New Orleans Saints): Jawhar Jordan, RB, Louisville Measurables: 5-foot-9, 193 kilos
2023 stats (13 video games): 181 carries for 1,128 yards and 13 TDs
Houston’s operating again room is led by Mixon and Dameon Pierce, however Jordan may very well be a change-of-pace possibility, being that he is smaller than these two. He led the ACC with 6.2 yards per carry and brings worth as a kick returner.
TRADE! The Texans swap their closing decide of the 2024 NFL Draft, No. 247, to the 49ers for a 2025 sixth-round decide.
Ben Arthur is the AFC South reporter for FOX Sports activities. He beforehand labored for The Tennessean/USA TODAY Community, the place he was the Titans beat author for a 12 months and a half. He lined the Seattle Seahawks for SeattlePI.com for 3 seasons (2018-20) previous to shifting to Tennessee. You may observe Ben on Twitter at @benyarthur.
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