Q&A:
Q: The Texans have no picks in the first two rounds. Strategically, do you look to move up in this draft for this team? Why or why not do you tend to feel that way? And if so, who would be some targets worth doing that for?
Monson: I don’t think they should trade up. First, I think the mid-rounds are actually a good place to be in this draft for O-line help, which the Texans need desperately, and second, the draft still remains such a low-success proposition (particularly if you’re outside of Round 1) that more rolls of the dice are better than few.
Zierlein: I would consider moving up since you will be able to get into the second round by flipping two of your third-round picks. I think it is worth targeting a CB like Isaiah Oliver or Carlton Davis. I also see an offensive tackle like Jamarco Jones or a safety like Jessie Bates, Justin Reid or maybe Tarvarius Moore.
Cobern: I would not trade up in this draft class due to very few slam dunk prospects from a data perspective. There are a few QBs such as Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold who hit above average All-Pro career production thresholds since the 1958 NFL draft class. But Houston has already selected a QB in Deshaun Watson last year. Sometimes the best strategy is to do nothing at all. Just have confidence that you can spot good prospects who ultimately fall to lower rounds every year.
McDonald: I don’t think that the Texans need to move up in this draft. They still have three third-round picks which means they’ll have the opportunity to add three potential players that can come in and be starters for the 2018 campaign. They could use starting offensive tackle talent and some depth along the defensive line to protect themselves in case the injury bug strikes again this year.
Allbright: I don’t. You’ve already moved up last year, and now you’re pick deficient because of it. Idea should be to let that pay off now, rather than kicking the can down the road. You’ve (ideally) got the QB and pieces around him. Use the picks you have to address the O-line.
Kollmann: I honestly believe that if the Texans stay healthy this year (as if that has ever happened, right?), they are one of the strongest starting rosters in the league. They have very few glaring holes now that Aaron Colvin and Tyrann Mathieu are in the building, and with just one or two great pickups in this draft they could be poised for a very deep playoff run. If the front office sees a guard and/or offensive tackle that they like fall into the second round, I expect them to package some picks to move up and snag them without hesitation. Isaiah Wynn from Georgia is probably my dream scenario if he somehow gets pushed down the board due to his rather average arm length, and Billy Price from Ohio State is someone to keep an eye on as well. Price is a first-round caliber guard or center, but he may fall a bit on draft day due to a recent pectoral injury. If he somehow makes it to the mid-50s, that’s when you need to watch for Houston to make some moves.
Stradley: I’m closer to the position to stay pat and go with more choices versus betting on one. I’m drawn to Matt’s view and think the Texans have too many players who are hard to ink in as reliable starters on offense. If you think that is harsh, who is your list of Texans offensive players you think can provide consistent, above-average production for an entire season? That said, the Texans could use quality offensive line help, and they don’t have a time machine to go back years ago to get one to develop when they needed to do it.
Q: What do you think of this draft as far as offensive linemen options? Given what the Texans did in free agency, who they currently have on the team, what should they do now in the draft?
Kollmann: As long as Julién Davenport develops quickly at left tackle, the Texans offensive line isn’t necessarily the worst in the world, but they do need an injection of depth and competition in this year’s draft. I mentioned Wynn and Price because both of them offer positional flexibility and can provide depth at multiple positions, which is really what Houston needs most right now. There are no true franchise offensive tackles in this class, and only one slam dunk franchise guard (Quenton Nelson), so the Texans should really just be focusing on prospects that can be flexible to mix and match positions as the starting five takes shape. Connor Williams, Braden Smith and KJ Malone are all names that fit into that mold that will also be available in the second and third rounds, so keep an eye on them if Wynn and Price are gobbled up early.
McDonald: I think this offensive line class lacks top end offensive tackle talent, but there are a decent amount of players to be had from Round 3 that look like they have the potential to be starters. Brandon Parker (North Carolina A&T), Nick Gates (Nebraska) and Will Richardson (North Carolina State) are mid/late round talents whi could develop into starters down the line.
Monson: I like the mid-rounds of this draft for O-line options. This draft generally is actually not a bad O-line draft given what we’ve seen over the past few seasons. I think the Texans need to focus on that as their primary area of concern in this draft. They only have so many rounds in their gun, so need to focus on a specific target with those picks. The one boost to what was the league’s worst offensive line (253 total pressures in 2017, the league’s worst pass rush productivity score by a distance) last season is that Deshaun Watson was able to make it function and look a lot better than it was. Whoever they put out there in 2018, if Watson is healthy and able to repeat that kind of performance, it’ll paper over some of the cracks.
Waldman: Although I don’t study offensive linemen like I do the offensive skill positions (QB, RB, WR and TE), this class has about a dozen players apiece at tackle and guard with long-term starter potential. Considering the Texans’ additions at guard and lack of early picks, a left tackle could be a priority. If Houston makes a move for an early-round pick, left tackle will be the target. However, as much as I understand the rationale, I’m not sold on mortgaging the future for a top pick. The Texans better be sold that the early-round option is an immediate starter with Pro Bowl upside. None of these prospects fit that part. This draft offers potential upgrades at running back, receiver, and tight end depth – and with starter upside 2-3 years from now at a nice price. I’d rather Houston wait and see if a tackle they assigned a second- or third-round grade falls to the third round. If so, take the tackle. If not, upgrade depth elsewhere.
Cobern: This draft is very thin at offensive tackle. Which is a position the Texans must address. They will depend on second-year tackle Julién Davenport to take over at left tackle. However, Davenport’s data has a few yellow flags athletically that could prove troublesome long-term. The majority of high potential tackles will likely be drafted by the time the Texans pick. The Texans should be fine in the interior of their offensive line. Senio Kelemete was a good pickup in free agency as a rotational player. But targeting Scott Quessenberry in Day 2 could be a decent strategy to upgrade the line at center. Scott, who is the brother of Texans’ guard David Quessenberry, has the movements and athletic profile of a potential high quality interior lineman.
Zierlein: I don’t think the Texans should be through looking at guard. There is no reason not to add another guard or a guard/tackle like Will Richardson who might be able to play either in the future.
Allbright: This draft is terrible for OTs, but there are quite a few interior linemen, go after interior linemen and athletes with promise. Given the dearth of early picks this should be a "gamble on athleticism" draft.
Stradley: Some votes for guards and looking for mid-round developmental talent. Hard to argue much with that.
Q: Realistic Rounds 3-undrafted free agent (UDFA) targets. Who are some players you think might be a good fit for the Texans needs and what do you think they would value? Who are the players you think Bill O’Brien really would want and need without reaching?
Allbright: Frank Ragnow, center out of Arkansas. Maybe Jaylen Samuels (TE NC State)
