The Complete Houston Texans 2015 Draft Primer
The 2015 NFL draft begins its three-day extravaganza at 8 p.m. ET, April 30 from the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University in Chicago. Coverage will be provided by ESPN and the NFL Network from the first overall pick on opening night to the ordination of Mr. Irrelevant with the 256th choice on the final day.
The 45.7 million viewers of the 2014 edition were the highest ratings ever for the event. To put that number in perspective, the 2014 conference championship games drew 55.9 million viewers for the NFC game and 51.3 million for its AFC counterpart. Those ratings are a reflection of the intense interest in the prospects and the ongoing drama of where they will end up.
A year ago, the Houston Texans organization was trying to reassure itself and the rest of the NFL community that Jadeveon Clowney was the best use of the No. 1 selection. This time around they are in the middle of the pack wondering who will be available when their turn at 16 comes up.
General manager Rick Smith could go in any number of directions over the course of the 10 picks in his possession. We will endeavor to provide all the necessary information to prepare you for what those directions might be.
Rick Smith Draft History
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Smith is facing a draft which could make or break his tenure (2007-14) in Houston. In his eight previous efforts, only 2011 produced three players who have averaged 10 starts per season (J.J. Watt, Brooks Reed, Derek Newton). As a small consolation, every draft but 2008 produced at least three players who appeared in an average of 10 games per season as a Texan.
This means a majority of his picks have been role players at best: second- and third-string substitutes, sub-package defensive backs and special teamers. Then there are the unadulterated busts, far too many coming from the third and fourth rounds, where depth is built.
Smith has rarely gone wrong in the first round, failing in his first try with 19-year-old defensive tackle Amobi Okoye. Duane Brown, Brian Cushing and J.J. Watt are among the best at their positions. Kareem Jackson has worked his way up into the second tier of cover corners. Whitney Mercilus is on the cusp of breaking through to the next level or joining the ranks of NFL journeymen.
Jadeveon Clowney is in a similar place to Mercilus this early in his career. How his body responds to the microfracture surgery of his meniscus will establish the length of his NFL lifespan.
The same can be said about Smith. How much longer can this organization wait for its general manager to put together his first solid, top-to-bottom draft? To borrow from the lexicon of draft day, he is already “on the clock.”
2015 Draft Picks by Round
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The Houston Texans are situated smack in the middle of the draft order of the first round at No. 16. As described by Wikipedia, "The selection order for subsequent rounds will follow the order of the first round, except that teams with the same record and same playoff result will rotate among their respective groups." This explains why their second-round pick is at 51 instead of 48.
There is usually a surprise or two in the top 10, like Blake Bortles going to the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 3 in 2014. The potential for prospects flipping all over the big board is even greater this year. A fair amount of consensus exists in the player rankings, while the mock drafts agree on No. 1 and just about nothing else.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are almost certain to go with Jameis Winston. The Tennessee Titans cannot be so enamored with Zach Mettenberger to deal Marcus Mariota to the Cleveland Browns for the No. 12 and No. 19 overall picks, as reported by Pat McManamon of ESPN. Then again, starting Mettenberger might be the surest path to taking quarterback Connor Cook of Michigan State with the first overall selection of 2016.
However that hand is played out, the Texans could have their choice of choices when their name is called by commissar, er...ah, commissioner Roger Goodell. Or they might be down to their seventh option if a worst-case scenario comes to pass.
In any case, the 10 picks held by Houston are as follows.
Round 1, No. 16
Round 2, No. 51 (Pick 19)
Round 3, No. 82 (Pick 18)
Round 4, No. 116 (Pick 17)
Round 5, No. 152 (Pick 16)
Round 5, No. 175 (Pick 39)*
Round 6, No. 195 (Pick 19)
Round 6, No. 211 (Pick 35)*
Round 6, No. 216 (Pick 40)*
Round 7, No. 235 (Pick 18)
*Compensatory Pick
Position-by-Position Big Board
3 of 8This big board contains prospects within the reach of the Texans, not the overall ranking of players by position. The effect is primarily in the first and second round, since the availability of players evens out later on in the draft.
Quarterback
1. Brett Hundley, UCLA
2. Bryce Petty, Baylor
3. Garrett Grayson, Colorado State
4. Sean Mannion, Oregon State
5. Brandon Bridge, South Alabama
Running Back
1. Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin
2. Tevin Coleman, Indiana
3. Duke Johnson, Miami (Fla.)
4. Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska
5. Jay Ajayi, Boise State
Fullback
1. Jalston Fowler, Alabama
2. Zach Zenner, South Dakota State
3. Tyler Varga, Yale
Wide Receiver
1. Dorial Green-Beckham, Oklahoma
2. Phillip Dorsett, Miami (Fla.)
3. Nelson Agholor, Southern California
4. Jaelen Strong, Arizona State
5. Devin Smith, Ohio State
Tight end
1. Maxx Williams, Minnesota
2. Clive Walford, Miami (Fla.)
3. Jeff Heuerman, Ohio State
4. MyCole Pruitt, Southern Illinois
5. Jesse James, Penn State
Offensive Tackle
1. Ereck Flowers, Miami (Fla.)
2. Jake Fisher, Oregon
3. D.J. Humphries, Florida
4. Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&M
5. T.J. Clemmings, Pittsburgh
Offensive Guard
1. Laken Tomlinson, Duke
2. A.J. Cann, South Carolina
3. Ali Marpet, Hobart
4. Tre' Jackson, Florida State
5. Mitch Morse, Missouri
Center
1. Cameron Erving, Florida State
2. Hroniss Grasu, Oregon
3. B.J. Finney, Kansas State
Defensive End
1. Arik Armstead, Oregon
2. Preston Smith, Mississippi State
3. Mario Edwards Jr., Florida State
4. Henry Anderson, Stanford
5. Za'Darius Smith, Kentucky
Defensive Tackle
1. Malcom Brown, Texas
2. Eddie Goldman, Florida State
3. Jordan Phillips, Oklahoma
4. Carl Davis, Iowa
5. Grady Jarrett, Clemson
Inside Linebacker
1. Eric Kendricks, UCLA
2. Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi State
3. Stephone Anthony, Clemson
4. Denzel Perryman, Miami (Fla.)
5. Paul Dawson, TCU
Outside Linebacker
1. Randy Gregory, Nebraska
2. Eli Harold, Virginia
3. Hau'oli Kikaha, Washington
4. Danielle Hunter, LSU
5. Nate Orchard, Utah
Cornerback
1. Kevin Johnson, Wake Forest
2. Byron Jones, Connecticut
3. Marcus Peters, Washington
4. Eric Rowe, Utah
5. Jalen Collins, LSU
Safety
1. Landon Collins, Alabama
2. Damarious Randall, Arizona State
3. Adrian Amos, Penn State
4. Jaquiski Tartt, Samford
5. James Sample, Louisville
Kicker/Punter
1. Justin Manton, Louisiana-Monroe (K)
2. Kyle Loomis, Portland State (P)
3. Trevor Pardula, Kansas (P)
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Round 1, No. 16
4 of 8Team needs: Edge-Rusher, Wide Receiver, Cornerback
You can't always get what you want. You want Bud Dupree, and draft maestro Matt Miller of Bleacher Report thinks the Texans will have him.
The more you look at him, the more want him. At 6'4" and 267 pounds, he ran a 4.56 40-yard time at the combine. If there are any doubts that Jadeveon Clowney will ever be the same after getting those little holes drilled in his knee, Dupree could be a reasonable facsimile.
The competition could be fading at his position, with Shane Ray and Randy Gregory apparently more interested in getting a rush from “420” than rushing quarterbacks. Ray just got ticketed for marijuana possession and Gregory tested positive for marijuana at the combine.
Both Ray and Gregory are rated ahead of Dupree in most circles. How their lapses in judgement will affect their draft stock will not be known until the first round is underway. Dupree was already starting to climb ahead of them just on the basis of his measurables, and he'll likely end up out of the Texans’ reach.
The big three wide receivers, Kevin White, Amari Cooper and DeVante Parker, were never going to last until 16. Dorial Green-Beckham is next up in the ratings, and next up with the personal problems.
Green-Beckham was arrested for drug-related incidents on two occasions. When he was accused of breaking into an apartment and pushing a woman down the stairs, he was dismissed from the Missouri football team within the week. As the only other wide receiver with first-round credentials, he does not pass the Bob McNair choirboy’s test.
Johnathan Joseph is on the lookout for his third contract. For a cornerback, this is one that can really “contract” compared to the $48.75 million deal which brought him to Houston. To safeguard against being left with a free agent to fill his shoes, drafting for his successor makes sense.
Matt Miller's player profile of Kevin Johnson emphasizes his skill in man coverage. Miller questions his athleticism in a football sense. He was a top performer at the combine in the vertical jump, broad jump, three-cone drill and 20-yard shuttle.
At 6’0” and 188 pounds, Johnson may not be built like Patrick Peterson or Richard Sherman. His stature is comparable to Joseph, and he has the look of a player who would be a qualified replacement. Taking him might not be a glamorous pick, but it is a necessary one.
Round 2, No. 51
5 of 8Team Needs: Edge-Rusher, Wide Receiver, Inside Linebacker
The hunt goes on for the edge-rusher. The second round offers Eli Harold and Nate Orchard within range of the Texans.
Harold is experienced at using his quickness to make his somewhat slender body difficult to block. Not the kind of power player who would impress Romeo Crennel, he does have enough moves to keep offensive linemen guessing.
Orchard was a true defensive end in college, playing out of a three-point stance. He excels at converting his speed to power and is difficult to control for the average offensive tackle. Lacking any knowledge of how to play standing up, linebackers coach Mike Vrabel would have to work overtime to get the most out of his potential.
There will be plenty of excellent wide receivers still looking for work in Round 2. Todd McShay believes the Texans should take Nelson Agholor with their first-round pick. Even McShay admits, “This is a bit rich for my liking, but I'm hearing a lot of buzz about Agholor.”
Such a move is unnecessary since Agholor will still be on the board along with Phillip Dorsett, Devin Smith, Jaelen Strong and maybe even Breshad Perriman.
Dorsett has been a hot item since he ran the 40 in 4.25 at his pro day. Strong has already paid a visit to the Texans, where his 6’2”, 217-pound frame would help the fans get over losing Andre Johnson.
Perriman has the same build and Dorsett-like speed, but NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah considers him overvalued since he “drops a ton of balls.” Smith may have led Ohio State with 12 touchdown receptions, except a receiver whom NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein describes as “desire lacking as a run-blocker” has no future in a Bill O’Brien offense.
Forget all the flash and dash. The man the Texans want is Benardrick McKinney, a super-sized inside linebacker with the speed and instincts that have Matt Miller all aglow. McKinney is the partner Brian Cushing has been looking for since the defense switched to the 3-4.
Someone who could play outside linebacker as well could be the solution to who will replace Brooks Reed. An athlete versatile enough to handle two spots is a valuable addition if he happens to fall past the middle of the second round.
Round 3, No. 82
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Team Needs: Safety, Running Back, Wide Receiver
The Texans have added running back Chris Polk and safety Stevie Brown recently, per the Houston Chronicle's John McClaine. That does not mean the positions have been permanently filled.
NFL Media's Ian Rapaport is the man behind the rumor that D.J. Swearinger in on the trading block.
Meanwhile, I’m told the #Texans are trying to trade safety DJ Swearinger. He’s started 22 games over his first 2 seasons.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 28, 2015
Should the deal go through, Gerod Holliman should be the target. Anyone who can intercept 14 passes in a single collegiate season deserves a look.
David Cobb ran for 1,626 yards to set the single-season record for Minnesota. At 5’11” and 229 pounds, Cobb was compared in his NFL profile to Stevan Ridley. There should be enough memories from what Ridley did to the Texans in 2012 to act as a full endorsement.
However, the third round is where the search for a receiver should end. Tyler Lockett made Zierlein’s list of the draft’s safest prospects. Lockett caught 106 passes for 1,515 yards and 11 touchdowns and averaged 19.1 yards per punt return as a senior. Two issues are resolved with just one player.
Round 4, No. 116
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Team Needs: Safety, Running Back, Center
Chase Goodbread, College Football 24/7 writer, cited Michigan State safety Kurtis Drummond one of his “top five ball-hawking DB prospects.” Named Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year, Drummond led the secondary of the eighth-ranked FBS defense with four interceptions and 11 passes defended.
David Johnson set a school record at Northern Iowa with three 1,000-yard seasons in his career. The combine showcased the breadth of his athletic skills, where he was one of the top performers in five of the six drills. Johnson does not fool tacklers the way Arian Foster does, but he is an equally effective threat as a receiver out of the backfield.
The installation of Ben Jones as the starting center requires a new backup. B.J. Finney was named All-Big 12 three years running, earning Co-Offensive Lineman of the Year as a senior. Zierlein, the son of NFL offensive line coach Larry Zierlein, paid Finney a high compliment in his NFL profile.
"Some evaluators will get caught up on Finney's lack of athleticism, but his hand strength, body composure and ability to stymie athletic interior players with power should not be discounted. These traits will have NFL offensive-line coaches giving him a plug-and-play starting grade.
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Rounds 5-6-7
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Round 5, No. 152
Strong Safety James Sample
Sample projects to a sub-package safety and special teamer. An in-the-box safety, his NFL comparison is Bernard Pollard. A big-bodied version of D.J. Swearinger, he needs more coaching and experience to get the most out of his underdeveloped coverage skills.
Round 5, No. 175
Running Back Matt Jones
A power back with the strength to shed tacklers, Jones led Florida in rushing in 2014. He uses his 6’2”, 231-pound bulk as a battering ram, whether it comes to moving the pile or laying a block on any backfield penetrators.
Round 6, No. 195
Tight End MyCole Pruitt
Too short (6’2”) to be considered a starter at his named position, Pruitt has the hands to be useful in multiple receiver formations. He set a school record for tight ends at Southern Illinois with 81 receptions for 13 touchdowns in 2014. The best way for him to maximize his opportunity would be to concentrate on becoming a more consistent blocker.
Round 6, No. 211
Outside Linebacker Max Valles
Carrying the size of a defensive end (6’5”, 252 lbs.), Valles has played in both a two- and three-point stance. More of a project than immediate contributor, he has learned how to use his size to make the most of his athleticism. Defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel will be tempted to put a boot in his backside, but given time, Valles could be a force a setting the edge and rushing from it.
Round 6, No. 216
Defensive End Leterrius Walton
Walton has the ideal size (6’5”, 319 lbs.) to play a 3-technique and also has the quickness off the snap to handle a 5-technique assignment. His form needs to improve, as well as his upper-body strength. He stays active throughout the play but does not always make an impact with all his movement.
Round 7, No. 235
Offensive Guard Tayo Fabuluje
Massive girth (6’6”, 353 lbs.) does not detract from his agile footwork. Impossible to overpower, Fabuluje takes full advantage of his size to move defensive linemen wherever he pleases. His height can work against him when it's time to lower his pad level, probably because he lacks flexibility in his hips.
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