Houston Texans Day 1 2014 NFL Draft Primer

The Houston Texans have a hole at just about every position going into the 2014 NFL draft; something you would expect from a team that finished last season with a 2-14 record. With so many needs that have to be addressed before the draft is over, their options as to what to do early on are nearly limitless. Perhaps those many needs and options have led to the numerous trade rumors surrounding the first overall pick.

Rick Smith said publicly last week that the team knows who it wants if it keeps the No. 1 overall pick. This quote comes from an interview Smith did with Texans Huddle on Fox Sports Southwest via Deepi Sidhu of HoustonTexans.com:

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I absolutely know who I want. I know the guys we like. The fortunate thing about having the first pick is I’ve got the pick of the litter, so I will know exactly who I want at that point.

Now where the game is played is if there’s an opportunity to move and, in this case, obviously to move back if somebody else wants to come up to that first pick. Then you weigh what the opportunities are versus who the individual is that you want to take and what that value is relative to the value that somebody might be offering you. But as you move through the draft, obviously you don’t know who’s going to be picked when.

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Smith knows he has to hit a home run with the first overall pick. Many media members and fans, including me, thought he should have been fired along with Gary Kubiak last December.

Under Smith, the Texans have missed on twice as many mid-round picks as have hit, wasted money on bad free-agent signings like Ed Reed and Ahman Green and stumbled into a bad salary-cap situation over recent seasons that forced the departure of key players like DeMeco Ryans, Connor Barwin, James Casey and Glover Quin.

Owner Bob McNair decided to put the blame for the failed 2013 season on the shoulders of the coaching staff, giving Smith a second chance. The coaching staff deserved a large portion of the blame, but absolving Smith was a mistake.

However we got here, this is his opportunity; he better take advantage of the moment.

Key Departures and Additions

Dave Einsel/Associated Press

For the third offseason in a row, the Houston Texans lost more starters during free agency than they gained. They won't come out and directly say that they approached this offseason as a rebuilding process, but the evidence is easy to see. The Texans cut a couple of key players, let a few others walk without a fight and traded Matt Schaub without bringing in any players of equal talent to replace him—a dead giveaway of being in rebuild mode.

As much as fans don't want to hear it, rebuilding is the right move. The Texans have too many holes to fix over one offseason, especially after starting the offseason in a bad salary-cap situation. Regardless of what they did this offseason, they were not going to be a contender. Signing big-name free agents in a foolish attempt to contend this season wouldn't have gotten them back to the playoffs but only make their salary-cap situation in the future much worse.

They should have money to spend next offseason, so with a good draft this year and next, Texans fans have reason to believe that their team could be back in the playoffs for the 2015 season.

Departures

Owen Daniels: The Texans cleared $4.5 million dollars by cutting the 31-year-old. The move wasn't motivated by his play on the field but because the team felt they could get equal production from Garrett Graham, who played well last season after Daniels got hurt. The Texans re-signed the 27-year-old Graham to a three-year deal during the offseason. He is a solid pass-catcher but didn't rate as a plus blocker, according to Pro Football Focus; the Texans will need to add some depth at the position during the draft.

Matt Schaub: The Texans didn't have a choice; they had to get rid of Schaub. The situation with him and the fans was just too toxic to bring him back. Amazingly, they found a trade partner who was willing to give them a draft pick in return; I hope Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie was given a field sobriety test after that decision.

Schaub had more faults than I can count on both hands but some of his struggles last season should have been blamed on the coaching staff. Ryan Fitzpatrick is not an improvement, but he is a cheaper option as a placeholder until a young quarterback is ready to take over.

Danieal Manning: This was another cost save saving move. The Texans saved about $4.5 million by cutting the 32-year-old, who was in the last year of his contract. Manning played well overall for the Texans but was never considered a Pro Bowl-caliber player.

Antonio Smith: The Texans decided to let Smith—who will turn 33 years old next season—walk during the offseason. He was a solid player and a vocal leader, but it appears obvious that the team wants to get younger at the position. Smith quickly signed with the Oakland Raiders after the start of free agency.

Ben Tate: The worst-kept secret in town going back to last season was that Ben Tate would sign with the Cleveland Browns after his contract with the Texans expired; it makes you wonder about possible tampering charges. He didn't get the big offer he was hoping for but will likely be the starter in Cleveland instead of Arian Foster's backup.

Tate played very well in a reserve role during the 2011 season and played admirably through a rib injury last season but was never a great fit for the Texans' zone-running scheme under Gary Kubiak. He just didn't have the vision to see the cutback lanes. He probably would be a better fit with what coach Bill O'Brien is likely to run, but I don't blame him for wanting a fresh start.

Brice McCain: Pro Football Focus called Brice McCain a "secret superstar" after the 2011 season, but his performance level over the next two seasons dropped off dramatically. The Texans cut him before the start of free agency, leaving a hole at the slot corner position that has to be filled during the draft. The Texans didn't draft a single cornerback during the 2013 NFL draft, so they've painted themselves into a corner going into this draft.

Joe Mays: The Texans signed the veteran linebacker last season to a one-year deal but decided to let him walk after the season. Overall, he played well, but he's not irreplaceable. Mays signed a two-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs back in March.

Darryl Sharpton: The University of Miami product was the Houston Texans' fourth-round choice in the 2010 draft but never made an impact. He was often injured and only played in 19 games over his four seasons in Houston. He signed a one-year deal with the Washington Redskins this offseason. I still think he has potential to be a solid starter, but we may never find out if he can't stay on the field.

Earl Mitchell: Similar to Sharpton, Earl Mitchell was drafted by the Texans in 2010. Also similar to Sharpton, he was solid but never made a big impact. The old coaching staff would have probably wanted to bring him back if a reasonable deal could be reached, but Mitchell isn't a fit in Romeo Crennel's defensive scheme.

Mitchell played nose tackle in Wade Phillips' 3-4 scheme, which didn't require a traditional two-gap player at the position. New defensive coordinator Crennel has preferred a beefier player at nose tackle in the past, which made Mitchell expendable. He signed with the Miami Dolphins on the second day of the free-agency period.

Wade Smith: Smith was an overall negative at left guard last season. He had productive seasons for the Texans in 2010 and 2011, but at age 33, his performance level has dropped off. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2012 but didn't play at a Pro Bowl level that season; it seemed like a makeup award for the season before. It was time to move on.

Additions

Jerrell Powe: The Texans needed a bigger player at nose tackle, and they got that with the signing of Powe. He was a sixth-round pick who hasn't played well or very often, so I don't think he'll be a starter, but he was drafted by Crennel, so that played a factor in the decision to sign him. Patrick Starr from State of the Texans went over some of his film and liked what he saw with the way he uses his size, but Powe has a long way to go.

Kendrick Lewis: The Texans needed safety depth and decided to add another player who once played under Crennel. Like Powe, Lewis won't likely be a starter but will definitely see playing time. Patrick Starr looked at some of his tape and came away believing he is best fit as a center field safety but has concerns about his speed and willingness to be a physical tackler.

Chris Clemons: This was my favorite signing of the offseason for the Texans. Pro Football Focus seems to be high on Clemons, so he should be a solid replacement for Danieal Manning; too bad their best signing was a replacement for a player they cut.

Clemons has good speed and coverage skills, making him versatile enough to line up in man coverage against slot receivers on occasion. Expect Crennel to mix up how he uses Clemons this season, but he'll most likely spend the majority of his time as the deep defender to allow second-year-player D.J. Swearinger to play closer to the line, where he's most comfortable. The Texans safeties—especially Swearinger—struggled in coverage last season, so getting Clemons was a great move.

Andre Brown: The Texans are in desperate need of depth at running back with Arian Foster coming off back surgery and Ben Tate leaving through free agency. Brown should still have plenty of tread left on the tire with only 214 career rushing attempts. He performed well for the Giants in a reserve role during the 2012 season when he averaged 5.3 yards per attempt with eight rushing touchdowns. I like him but hope he ends up as the third-string back behind Foster and a rookie they acquire in the draft—much like Justin Forsett was for Houston during the 2012 season.

Team Needs

Patric Schneider/Associated Press

Many mistakenly believe that the Texans are still just a player or two away from being a contender again.

Those people clearly aren't paying attention. The Texans have holes at nearly every position. Going into this draft, they'll need a starter or at least depth at every position besides left tackle and outside wide receiver.

Quarterback

The Texans have just a bunch of names but no future quarterback on their roster. Matt Schaub obviously wasn't their future, so that wasn't really a loss. I wouldn't mind seeing Case Keenum get another shot in a new system with hopefully better coaching and a year of experience under his belt, but he's a long shot. He showed a few flashes of great play but struggled down the stretch with picking up the blitz and going through his reads quickly.

The other two quarterbacks are just seat fillers until a rookie quarterback is ready to take over. I expect the Texans to take two quarterbacks during the 2014 NFL draft, with the first one coming in Round 2.

Running Back

The Texans added Andre Brown during free agency but still need to add a young back to provide depth. Ben Tate is gone, and Arian Foster is coming off back surgery, so they might even need to add two backs during the draft.

Foster will be 28 years old when the 2014 season starts, so the team should address the position early enough in the draft that the selected player would have potential to start in the future. Of course, Foster was an undrafted free agent, but grabbing a star after the draft is an unlikely scenario. Two names I like in this draft that are projected to go in Round 4 or Round 5 are Charles Sims and Storm Johnson.

Offensive Guard

The starter at left guard last season—Wade Smith—is gone and has to be replaced. Some think the Texans can plug in Ben Jones at the position, but he looked overmatched in the snaps he received at guard last season; he's not strong enough for the position at this level. I like the potential of Brandon Brooks at right guard, but there's a chance that he could end up playing right tackle if Brennan Williams or David Quessenberry isn't ready to replace Derek Newton at the position.

Right Tackle 

Derek Newton has been a disaster at the position over the last two seasons after he was forced into the starting role when the team cut Eric Winston. Newton finished last season with a negative grade from Pro Football Focus, which ranked him near the bottom of all offensive tackles. Hopefully either David Quessenberry or Brennan Williams—who both missed their rookie season last year because of injury—will be able to step into the role during minicamp and training camp, but it would be wise for Houston to pick up at least one player at the position during the draft.

Defensive End

The Texans are very thin on the defensive line after losing two of their three starters—Antonio Smith and Earl Mitchell—as free-agent departures. Jared Crick and Tim Jamison are both capable players, and Crick may end up as a starter, but the team needs to at least add some depth during the draft.

Nose Tackle

Before signing Jerrell Powe, the Texans didn't have a single true nose tackle on their roster. Even after signing him, it can be argued that the Texans still don't have a starter at the position. Powe should provide nice depth, but counting on him for anything more would be a big risk. This isn't a great draft for nose tackle in my opinion; there is a huge drop-off after Louis Nix. If he slides and is still available when the Texans go on the clock with the first pick in Round 2, they have to seriously consider taking him.

Outside Linebacker

After a strong rookie season, Brooks Reed has been a zero over the last two seasons from a pass-rushing perspective. Whitney Mercilus has shown flashes of good pass-rushing skill over his first two seasons but looks lost when asked to do anything else, which has limited his playing time. Mercilus has way more upside, but both of them should not be counted on as the primary pass-rusher at outside linebacker.

Over the last two seasons, Mercilus led all outside linebackers on the team with 13 sacks. If that was 13 sacks in one season, that would be great but not when the 13 sacks are combined over two seasons. The Texans should add a premier pass-rusher with their first pick; I think we all know who that is.

Inside Linebacker

Knee injuries have ended the season of Brian Cushing in back-to-back years. Add on top of that the departures of Joe Mays and Darryl Sharpton, and inside linebacker is one of the thinnest positions on the team. I expect Cushing to return and play very well next season, but the Texans can't take that for granted; they should add at least one and possibly two players at the position during the draft.

Cornerback

The Texans cut Brice McCain—their slot corner over the last several seasons—and have future concerns with their outside corners, so they'll need to add multiple players at the position during the draft. Their starters on the outside are both solid, but Johnathan Joseph is now 30 years old and will likely be a cap casualty next offseason.

The other starter Kareem Jackson has also played well over the last couple of seasons but is going into the final year of his rookie contract. I feel very sure in stating that at least one of Joseph and Jackson will be gone when the Texans take the field in 2015. They didn't add a single corner during the 2013 NFL draft or during the free-agent period this offseason, so addressing the position in this draft will be important.

Day 1 Top Targets

We all know the names by now that are being discussed as the possible top overall pick. With an extra two weeks added on to the lead-up to the draft, we've all had time to overthink the top pick and talk it to death.

If the Texans decide to stay where they are, I believe the choice is obvious. If the Texans decide to trade down, we'll all be playing 52-card pickup, trying to guess who they'll select with whichever picks they receive.

Jadeveon Clowney

He should be the pick. Clowney is the best overall player on the board and fits one of the Texans' biggest needs. Some critics are concerned about his fit in a 3-4 defense, but those people are overthinking the situation. He will be asked to rush the passer 90 percent of the time or more just like DeMarcus Ware and Aldon Smith, who made the same transition; they're doing just fine on the field.

J.J. Watt has been the Texans' only consistent threat as a pass-rusher over the last two seasons. As great as Watt is, teams can find a way to slow down or stop a one-man pass rush. Adding Clowney to the mix has the potential of making the Texans' pass rush the best in the league.

Khalil Mack

Per Sports Illustrated's Peter King, the Texans might prefer Mack to Clowney. I don't buy it. Teams aren't in the business of telling the truth or putting their draft strategy out for public viewing. Most likely this is a smokescreen designed to invite trade offers from teams that want Clowney—to see if anyone offers something crazy that they couldn't pass up.

I like Mack as a prospect and believe he's worthy of going in the top 10 but not as a 3-4 outside linebacker. He's not a tremendous one-on-one pass-rusher and is better when asked to cover and make plays in space. A better position for him, according to Bucky Brooks of NFL.com, would be either as a 4-3 outside linebacker or 3-4 inside linebacker. The Texans need an inside linebacker as well, but I don't like the value of picking one inside the top five.

Johnny Manziel

The fanbase would love this pick, but it would be a mistake. Per Bryan Fischer of NFL.com, probably the most popular trade-back rumor has the Texans taking Manziel with their new pick. He is an exciting player with perhaps more upside than any other quarterback in the class, but he comes with too many risks for me to feel comfortable taking him that high.

He played at a high level during his two seasons in the SEC but didn't show a lot of the traits required to be a successful NFL quarterback. I don't care that he's short or likes to party, but I do care about his tendency to abandon pass plays and run the second he feels pressure or if his first two reads aren't open, as ESPN's Merril Hoge pointed out recently.

He rarely sat in the pocket and went through all his reads, and when he did it was because his NFL-caliber offensive line gave him 10 seconds to find a receiver. He won't have that time at the next level. Manziel never showed an ability to go through all his reads quickly and deliver the ball on time or the ability to anticipate and throw a receiver open instead of waiting to see him flash open.

Blake Bortles

Early in the draft process, many people, like Brent Sobleski of USA Today, linked Bortles to the Texans because he played for George O'Leary of Georgia Tech, where Bill O'Brien was an assistant coach. Those same people also claimed that Bortles' performance at Penn State last year would play a factor with Coach O'Brien getting an up-close look at one of his better performances.

Bortles has many qualities that you like in a quarterback, but his inconsistent accuracy is enough for me to look in a different direction. Some may compare him to either Andrew Luck or Ben Roethlisberger, but I don't see it. A better comparison would be Jay Cutler: a strong-armed quarterback who can move a little bit but has a tendency to trust his arm too much with tight window throws that he doesn't have the accuracy to complete.

Jake Matthews

If the Texans want to tick off their fanbase, they'll take an offensive lineman. Right tackle is a huge need, but passing on both Clowney and a quarterback would be a very unpopular decision.

You here the term "pro-ready" all the time, and most of the time it isn't true, but it is with Matthews. He's a polished prospect with great bloodlines and 46 starts split between both tackle positions. He is solid both as a run-blocker and pass-protector and should make several Pro Bowl rosters before his career is over.

The Texans had him in for a visit to NRG Stadium last month, but they can't take him No. 1 overall. If they decide to trade back to the sixth pick or later, then he might become a legit target.

Greg Robinson

I have no doubts about Greg Robinson as a run-blocker. His limited experience as a pass-protector is enough of a concern, however, for me to pass on him with the first overall pick. Lance Zierlein of The Sideline View details criticism of his mechanics in pass protection, and I wouldn't take him in the top five.

He is the most physically gifted offensive tackle in the draft and has more upside than Jake Matthews. I don't expect the Texans to take him unless they decide to trade down.

What Are the Experts Saying About the Texans?

Gail Burton/Associated Press

Maybe it's become groupthink at this point, but every draft analyst appears to be on board with the Houston Texans selecting Jadeveon Clowney. I don't buy the stories of the team preferring Khalil Mack or desperately trying to trade back; think it's a smokescreen to invite a possible crazy offer that Houston couldn't pass up.

Mel Kiper of ESPN (Insider access required): Jadeveon Clowney

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No change here from the last mock. I'll also say again that I believe the Texans are still evaluating multiple options for this pick and certainly would listen to offers, but in this scenario, I feel they will ultimately go with the best player available. I know people will question scheme fit, but guys like Clowney, and certainly J.J. Watt, really transcend scheme. You shift the gap assignments and alignments for guys like these, and you're still going to see major disruption. If you skip sack totals and focus on disruption, Clowney really wasn't a lesser player in 2013 than he was in 2012.

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Todd McShay of ESPN: Jadeveon Clowney

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I still think this is the best and most logical pick for the Texans at No. 1. They obviously need a quarterback, but there isn't one rated highly enough to justify taking him over the best prospect in this draft. Clowney is the most talented defensive lineman I've ever evaluated, and you simply don't get many opportunities to take a player with his physical ability. Houston can either target a quarterback with the No. 33 pick or trade back into the first round to take one.

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Rob Rang of CBS Sports: Jadeveon Clowney

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Every franchise picking No. 1 overall is hoping that an Andrew Luck-like can't miss quarterback is available to them. Unfortunately for Bill O'Brien and the Texans, there isn't one of that caliber available this year. A trade down is certainly possible (and may even be likely) but if it occurs, Clowney would be the target at No. 1, with the Texans likely nabbing QB Blake Bortles.

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Dane Brugler of CBS Sports: Jadeveon Clowney

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Since Bill O'Brien was hired in Houston, I've penciled Blake Bortles into this spot for the Texans at No. 1. But Clowney might be too talented to pass up here and from what I'm hearing, he is the favorite at No. 1 if Houston keeps this pick.

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Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com: Jadeveon Clowney

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Clowney is the most talented player in this draft class, and I expect Houston to select him if it can’t trade out.

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Charles Davis of NFL.com: Jadeveon Clowney

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He'll be the first pick in the draft whether it's Houston making the selection or a team that traded into this slot.

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Latest Rumors, Reports and Analysis

Scott Halleran/Getty Images

Jadeveon Clowney will be the first overall pick in this year's draft. The questions that remain are if the Texans will keep him, trade him after selecting him or trade the pick to another team that will select him No. 1.

Most believe the Texans will take Clowney and keep him, but several experts believe in one of the other two options. A few others believe that Khalil Mack will be selected with the first overall pick, but I'm skeptical of that theory.

Will the Texans take Khalil Mack over Jadeveon Clowney?

According to Peter King of MMQB, general manager Rick Smith prefers Khalil Mack over Jadeveon Clowney:

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Houston, at No. 1, isn’t set on Jadeveon Clowney. In fact, one FORS (Friend of Rick Smith) told me the Texans general manager likes Khalil Mack over Clowney, and we still don’t know which quarterback Houston would choose if it chooses one first overall. I still think the Texans would go with a more sure thing with the first overall pick than a quarterback—and that sure thing could also be tackle Greg Robinson.

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Gil Brandt of NFL.com told Peter King of MMQB in a different article that he expects Khalil Mack to get drafted before Jadeveon Clowney on Thursday.  King actually has the Texans taking Mack with the first overall pick in his mock draft.

I'll say it again: It's a smokescreen. Take everything you hear from a general manager with a grain of salt.

The Texans will trade down and select a quarterback

John McClain of the Houston Chronicle believes that the Texans are still deciding between Jadeveon Clowney and Johnny Manziel. If they want Manziel, McClain believes they'll trade down before picking the ex-Aggies quarterback:

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As it stands, I believe the Texans are trying to decide between defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and quarterback Johnny Manziel with the first overall pick.

I believe general manager Rick Smith will trade - but not too far down - if he gets an overwhelming offer from a team that believes the extraordinarily talented Clowney is the missing piece.

I believe if the Texans trade down a few spots and Manziel is there, they'll take him. I think if he's gone, it'll come down to outside linebacker Khalil Mack or quarterback Blake Bortles. 

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Some believe McClain is the ultimate source on the Texans, but he's wrong just as often as anyone else. Earlier in the process, he felt the Texans would select a quarterback with the first pick and then chose Jadeveon Clowney in his next mock draft. He also was convinced that the Texans would take Reggie Bush up until the moment Mario Williams signed his contract in 2006. I don't say that to bash McClain, but don't take his word as gospel.

The list of potential trade partners has shortened

According to McClain, the Texans are looking to receive a return similar to what the Rams got for trading down with the Redskins a couple of years ago, who used the pick on Robert Griffin III:

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Texans want to swap first round picks Thursday and acquire first and second round picks this year and first round pick in 2015.

— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) May 8, 2014"

That's a hefty sum, but I hope the Texans stick to that price tag; they shouldn't move back for anything less. If you believe the report, then the list of potential trade partners has been cut to just two: the Cleveland Browns and St. Louis Rams.

They are the only teams with multiple first-round picks in this year's draft, unless another team makes a move to acquire an additional one. I can't imagine the Rams being willing to part with all those picks to move up one spot, so it appears the list may be down to just the Browns.

If the Browns are willing to part with their two first-round picks this year, their first-round pick next year and either a second- or third-round pick this year, the Texans should trade back. Otherwise, they should keep the pick and select Clowney.

7-Round Houston Texans Mock Draft

Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Round 1, Pick No. 1: Jadeveon Clowney

He's the best overall player in the draft and plays at a need position for the Texans; there should be little debate on whom to take here. He did play defensive end at South Carolina, but his transition to outside linebacker in the Texans' 3-4 scheme won't be an issue. Plenty of other college defensive ends like DeMarcus Ware and Aldon Smith have made the transition quite easily, and Clowney is a much better athlete than both of them.

The second leading player on the team in sacks after Watt had just seven in each of the last two seasons; the Texans desperately need to add a pass-rusher.

Round 2, Pick No. 33: Jimmy Garoppolo

Having passed on a quarterback in the first round, the Texans will feel pressure to find their future signal-caller with their second-round pick. I wouldn't mind waiting until Round 3 to pick up a quarterback because I believe this class has more quantity than quality, but if their guy is still available here, they should take him.

Garoppolo possesses the attributes that Coach O'Brien looks for in a quarterback: accuracy and quick decision-making. The Texans will probably receive several quality offers to trade down from the pick, but they won't take the risk of their quarterback getting selected in front of them.

Round 3, Pick No. 75 (trade-back with St. Louis): Jack Mewhort

See my longer mock draft from Monday for a detailed explanation of the trade.

The Texans have needs at both left guard and right tackle, which makes the selection of the versatile Jack Mewhort an easy one. He played at both guard positions and left tackle over his 39 career starts for the Buckeyes.

Scouts have concerns about his arm length and athleticism as an NFL left tackle, but the Texans are already solid at that position with Pro Bowl tackle Duane Brown on the roster. They have a couple options at right tackle, so I'd like to see Mewhort start off at left guard but wouldn't be afraid to move him around as needed.

Round 4, Pick No. 101: Charles Sims

Charles Sims would be a steal in the fourth round of this year's draft. He's a complete back who can stay on the field all three downs. On top of having good vision and acceleration as a runner, he was productive as a receiver and solid in pass protection in college.

Many have compared him to Matt Forte, but I see him more like Charlie Garner, who averaged 1,043 rushing yards with 675 receiving yards and eight total touchdowns between 1999 and 2002. I would take the career of either player from a fourth-round pick.

Round 4, Pick No. 110 (from St. Louis): Christian Jones

Jones is a great athlete whose versatility makes him a valuable player. He played as both a defensive end and outside linebacker at Florida State. He was a talented pass-rusher in college, but he might be better suited as an inside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme under Romeo Crennel.

Jones isn't big or strong enough to be a team's primary edge-rusher going up against NFL offensive tackles. However, his solid coverage skills would free up Brian Cushing to attack the line and make plays near the line of scrimmage instead of having to cover running backs in pattern. In this draft scenario, the Texans would also already have three quality players at outside linebacker but just one at inside linebacker.

Having Jones will allow Crennel to mix up the looks and formations he uses to confuse the opposing offense—a valuable asset to have. John Harris of The Sideline View calls Jones the best tackling prospect in this year's draft; he's an intriguing prospect.

Round 4, Pick No. 135 (Compensatory): Terrance Mitchell

The Texans desperately need to add multiple corners in this year's draft. They could find themselves in a situation where neither starting outside corner returns for the 2015 season, so it's important for them to start planning for the future now.

Mitchell's fluid hips and quick change-of-direction ability are mentioned as his biggest strengths by Rob Rang of CBS Sports. Those traits will help him against receivers in the slot, where he'll likely line up during this rookie season.

Round 5, Pick No. 141: E.J. Gaines

The Texans didn't draft a single cornerback during the 2013 draft and released their slot corner Brice McCain before the start of free agency in March, so they can't stop after drafting one player at the position.

Gaines has plenty of speed and a good body frame with long arms. Rob Rang of CBS likes that Gaines has experience in playing both press-man and off-man coverage. He is also a solid tackler for a corner, which has become increasingly rare these days.

Round 6, Pick No. 177: Logan Thomas

Here is a classic example of a player who looks the part of the position but has big concerns surrounding his potential. Thomas has a huge arm but struggled with his accuracy and decision making at Virginia Tech.

His stats were underwhelming in college, but more than one NFL coach will fall in love with Thomas' size and his arm and let his ego convince him that he can fix everything else. The Texans hosted him at NRG Stadium last month, so there is little doubt that they're interested.

Round 6, Pick No. 181 (from Oakland): Jalen Saunders

Coach O'Brien said publicly last month that the slot receiver position is very important to his offense. Unfortunately for the Texans, they don't have a slot receiver who deserves any serious playing time, so they'll have to address that need during the draft.

At 5'9", Saunders is a little guy, which will concern some teams, but we've seen players with a similar build like Darren Sproles and Tavon Austin have success in the league; the offensive coordinator just has to get creative. Playing almost entirely in the slot last season at Oklahoma, Saunders led the Sooners in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.

Scouts love his hands and quick moves in space; O'Brien will jump at the opportunity to get a guy like Saunders as his slot receiver.

Round 6, Pick No. 211 (Compensatory): Trey Millard

Here is another versatile player who will offer options in various personnel packages. Millard is a good blocker but also showed flashes of being a solid ball-carrier and receiver at Oklahoma.

He is the best athlete at fullback in this draft and would be projected to go sooner if not for a knee injury suffered last October.

Round 7, Pick No. 216: Shamar Stephen

Stephen is listed as a defensive tackle but has the height and body frame to play the 5-technique in the Texans' 3-4 defensive scheme. It also wouldn't surprise me if he were to put on 15 more pounds and move over to nose tackle later in his career. The Texans lost two starters from their defensive line this offseason, so they have to at least add depth.

He is a strong, run-stuffing defender whom Rob Rang from CBS compares to Cam Thomas of the San Diego Chargers; I would take that from a seventh-round pick.

Round 7, Pick No. 256 (Compensatory): Lonnie Ballentine

Ballentine is an intriguing height/speed prospect that a team will likely want to stash away on its practice squad while he learns the pro game. He has nice upside but is obviously a long shot as a Round 7 draft choice. The Texans brought in Ballentine for a visit last month, so there's a good chance that he'll be the pick here or at least a priority undrafted free agent.