Texans 2013 Mock Draft: Predictions for Day 3

After two days of the draft, the Houston Texans addressed most of their needs. They added depth to the offensive line, front seven and the safety position, and got their No. 2 wide receiver.

Now, despite the gaping hole at inside linebacker, everything else is filled, and at this point the Texans can mostly look for contributors on special teams and diamonds in the rough.

Will the Texans find a hidden gem, or someone that flat out should not have fallen as far as they did? Will they draft Matt Barkley after all, as some claimed they would, or select a different QB? Who are the Texans' best third-round options?

Round 4, Pick 124: Kevin Reddick, ILB, North Carolina

If Reddick is still available at this point, then this is a no-brainer, as he's the last ILB out there that's capable of starting, presuming A.J. Klein is already off the board.

Reddick is a solid blitzer and can be great for the pass rush. He knows how to battle and has a high motor. The question with him is whether or not he can keep his motor going if the play isn't right by him, as sometimes he will give up on one.

He has a good defensive football IQ, so he would have little trouble finding a place in Houston's defense. He could become a starter in the linebacking group with a bit of work, and with him inside and Sam Montgomery outside, suddenly the Texans have depth at linebacker.

Round 5, Pick 160: Joseph Fauria, TE, UCLA

I had Fauria in my first mock draft, as well as in the one after Day 1. Now that Vance McDonald was taken before the Texans had a chance to grab him, this selection is suddenly a no-brainer.

Owen Daniels is on the wrong side of 30, and the Texans need a backup tight end to groom behind him, ideally someone who has great physical traits moving forward.

It doesn't get much more physical than Fauria, who is 6'8" yet very raw. He's someone who can learn behind Owen Daniels for a year or two and turn into a good tight end.

If Fauria isn't in the cards, then Nevada's Zach Sudfeld, who has a questionable medical history but otherwise is a very similar tight end, would thrive behind Daniels.

Round 6, Pick 195: Johnny Adams, CB, Michigan State

Just like Fauria, Adams is a guy who I think fits perfectly, and I have no intention of adding a different cornerback just to do so. Besides, cornerbacks came off the board on Day 2 almost randomly, so who knows if Adams will even be here at this point.

Adams is a leaper and someone who would be a great zone nickel cornerback. Houston seems to prefer safeties for that role, but Adams fits it perfectly, and on top of that would be a special teams ace.

If Adams is off the board, then California's Steve Williams could be a possibility here as well to provide cornerback depth, as he is a physical corner who plays bigger than he is, like Adams.

Round 6, Pick 201: Ryan Griffin, QB, Tulane

I did not see the Texans taking a quarterback originally, but with how far they are falling in this year's draft class, suddenly picking one up looks more realistic.

There are two options. First is Matt Scott, who would be a fourth-round pickup. Due to the LB need, I don't see that happening, which leaves one option: Tulane's Ryan Griffin.

Griffin is still raw, but he looks the part of an NFL quarterback, and he put up big numbers in college. While he is not a change-of-pace option as a pocket passer, he could challenge T.J. Yates for the backup role if nothing else.

If the Texans take a QB, this is the only pick I see happening. Scott will go earlier than expected, and they won't draft Barkley or Nassib in the fourth round just to do it.

Round 7, Pick 233: Kenjon Barner, RB, Oregon

I did not originally think the Texans would take a running back, but with how much talent is falling into Day 3, it's reasonable to think a player with a fourth- or fifth=round grade will be there at the end of the draft.

While Arian Foster is great as an every-down back, I'm not sure about Ben Tate as a change-of-pace option; bringing in a speedster could make running back a position of strength.

There are a good five RBs who would be nice fits here, but I choose Barner due to his speed and his ability to make plays in the open field. Remember that with Hopkins and Johnson stretching the field, a back with breakaway speed could make the Texans offense even more dynamic than it is.

Besides, in Round 7 you don't need an every-down back, and Barner has the raw athleticism that the Texans will find a use for him.