Houston Texans Mock Draft: Updated Day 2 Predictions

Taking advantage of a deep draft pool, the Houston Texans made a smart move Thursday night by selecting one of the best cornerbacks available.

By drafting Kevin Johnson, the Texans can zone in on wide receivers and linebackers on Day 2, and since the draft has played out almost according to plan, there’s plenty of talent for general manager Rick Smith to choose from with his nine remaining picks.

Good players are likely to fall to the Texans at the No. 51 spot. It would be remarkable to see Houston ignore wide receiver on Day 2, and with so many players waiting to hear their names called, don’t discount a quick trade.

Although Round 1 is the most exciting, Round 2 and 3 have always looked to be the most interesting for the Texans. There are sleepers galore if things go to plan, so here’s a look at an updated mock before it all starts over again Friday.

Round 2

No. 51: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State

Dorial Green-Beckham should be gone by the time the Texans pick, and it’s unlikely Bill O’Brien wants to take on a player with character concerns anyway.

That leaves a few options for the Texans at receiver, but they could get a serious steal in Jaelen Strong. At 6’2", he is one of the tallest receivers in the class and has the jump-ball ability to challenge cornerbacks down the sidelines.

Strong isn’t a speedster, but the Texans don’t need that. George Godsey’s offense simply needs a receiver who can play in the slot and take the focus off DeAndre Hopkins, and fortunately, Strong excels in double coverage.

Strong is comfortable the red zone, where he fights for plays and really challenges for yards after the catch. His hands and vision need some brushing up, but he is a worthwhile second-round pick who could develop into a starter.

Round 3

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No. 82: Paul Dawson, ILB, TCU

Since the Texans aren’t searching for an immediate starter at inside linebacker, they can afford to wait until the third round to draft someone like Paul Dawson, who has backup potential.

Dawson hasn’t played in many complicated schemes at TCU, and coming into Romeo Crennel’s tricky 3-4 scheme could seem daunting. On the flip side, he’s a basic inside linebacker with quickness and secure tackling.

In terms of measurements, Dawson stacks up. He’s a little on the tall side at 6'0" but has great arm length. He is naturally drawn to the football and had 91 tackles as a junior.

It’s likely Benardrick McKinney will be long gone by the time the Texans pick in the third. They do need a durable inside linebacker should the injury bug bite, and Dawson is probably their best bet.

Round 4

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No. 116: Nick O’Leary, TE, Florida State

I still like the Texans taking a tight end in this draft for blocking purposes. Out of Florida State, Nick O’Leary should fall between the fourth or fifth round, and after recording 618 yards and six touchdowns, he’s one of the top three tight ends available.

The best part about O’Leary’s 2014 season was his effort against the nation's top-ranked defense, Clemson. He struggled to do himself any favors at the combine, but O’Leary’s vision to seek holes in zone coverage and make quick breaks off the line makes him a desirable prospect.

The Texans' production was mediocre at the position last year. It’s really a byproduct of how poor the quarterback play has been, and when you have Hopkins and Andre Johnson on either side, targeting the tight end will always become less and less.

Still, the Texans need to find their next Owen Daniels, someone who can get them out of trouble with a quick pass over the middle and some extra yards. That’s possible with O’Leary.

Round 5

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No. 152: Akeem Hunt, RB, Purdue

Akeem Hunt has drawn interest from the Texans for months, and it’s likely he’s still available by the time the fifth rolls around.

Again, if the Texans do draft a running back, he won’t be used much unless all hell breaks loose, but a guy like Hunt would be useful on third-down situations to set up a screen pass out wide.

On the ground Hunt breaks ankles and can make defenders miss in open space. Even better, he could seriously contribute on kick returns and is the sort of running back who could be a steal in a few years' time.

No. 175 Gerod Holliman, S, Louisville

The Texans need to eliminate yards after the catch, and much of that starts at the safety position.

Since there’s been so many defensive backs taken already in the first round, who knows who will be left in Round 5. If Louisville’s Gerod Holliman is still around, though, the Texans should take a look.

He isn’t the ideal tackler you want in a safety, but he is a savage in the air. He led the nation with 14 interceptions last season and is a physical presence ready to lay the smack down on an unprepared receiver.

The Texans secondary has been labeled soft more often than not lately. If the team can draft a safety who can battle with taller receivers, it’s worth the pick.

No. 195: Andy Gallik, C, Boston College

Losing Chris Myers has forced the Texans into action mode at center. Fortunately, only a couple of guys are worth early-round picks this year, while the rest could fall anywhere between the third and seventh.

Andy Gallik is one of the sturdiest centers available, with concrete blocking that is great in all areas. He consistently set up running holes at Boston College, and although he gets quite low in his stance, Gallik controls his body well once a lineman makes contact.

The reason he should still be available in the fifth all comes down to his size (6'2", 306 lbs). If he can add some bulk on over the offseason, he’d have a legitimate chance at making a name for himself on the practice field.

Round 6

No. 211: Laurence Gibson, OT, Virginia Tech

The Texans offensive line could possibly go a little backward after next season. Duane Brown’s future is no certainty, and without a true starting center, protecting the quarterback becomes even more of a challenge.

Laurence Gibson has visited the Texans already this offseason and should still be around by the sixth round. Originally he wasn’t known as a big-bodied guy, but after adding some weight at the start of 2014, he’s developed enough strength to get on the inside edge of interior linemen.

The Texans aren’t exactly stretched for depth at offensive tackle, but they aren’t exactly knuckle-deep, either.

No. 216: Corey Crawford, DE, Clemson

Coming out of the best defense in the nation last year, Corey Crawford is a great run-stopper and tackler who is likely to fall deep in the draft. His anticipation and technique need some work, but since the Texans may only be searching for a backup here should injuries occur, Crawford would be the perfect project.

So what does he do well?

He sets the edge nicely and can challenge blockers who may be physically smaller or weaker than him. If he gets into the backfield he’s capable of making a big-time tackle, and it looks like he’d be best suited to a 3-4 defense, preferably in a stand-up linebacker role.

Round 7

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No. 235: Louis Trinca-Pasat, DT, Iowa

With a short frame and a low center of gravity, Louis Trinca-Pasat is a strong defensive tackle who was known for shedding a ton of blocks during his time at Iowa.

Due to the class at the position and some power concerns, though, Trinca-Pasat should slip to the seventh round, even though he could develop into a solid second-string tackle since he shows good pursuit for the play.

The Texans defensive line is set, but if Rick Smith can answer most of the teams’ needs early on, adding some depth isn’t a bad idea.