11 players the Texans could take in Round 3 of the 2021 NFL draft
If the Deshaun Watson trade doesn’t manifest before the 2021 NFL draft, the Houston Texans are picking No. 67 overall in Round 3. Who could the Texans even get?
To get an idea of who might be available, Pro Football Focus released their top-300 prospects. The following are players who are somewhere in between Nos. 64-74, and aren’t ranked in any particular order of importance.
S Paris Ford
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Ford produced 136 combined tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and six interceptions through three seasons with Pittsburgh. Adding Ford would give the Texans a transition piece away from Justin Reid, should they not give him a second contract, or Eric Murray.
CB Ifeatu Melifonwu
Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
The Texans have uncertainty at cornerback with Gareon Conley and Vernon Hargreaves on the way out. John Reid will be entering his second season. How much worse could a rookie be than Phillip Gaines? Plus, Melifonwu of Syracuse has better upside.
DT Daviyon Nixon
Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
The Texans' defensive line is in upheaval with the loss of defensive end J.J. Watt. In new defensive coordinator Lovie Smith's Tampa-2 scheme, the Texans will need four quality down linemen to stop the run on the way to the quarterback. Nixon provided Iowa with 13.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, an interception, and a forced fumble in eight games in 2020.
RB Michael Carter
Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
Through 11 games in 2020, Carter rushed 156 times for 1,245 yards and nine touchdowns. The Texans throughout the Bill O'Brien era have relied on veteran running backs, almost eschewing young runners. It is time for Houston to consider going young and taking a look at the kid from North Carolina.
CB Eric Stokes
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
The former Georgia Bulldog played nine games in 2020, but made use of the games with four interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns. The Texans have uncertainty at cornerback, but Stokes would provide them with a potential playmaker.
DE Joseph Ossai
Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
Houston needs helps generating a pass rush, and Ossai gave the Longhorns 5.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles through nine games in 2020. Pair him up with Charles Omenihu heading into his third year, and Houston would have a young pass-rushing combination.
WR Tylan Wallace
Bryan Terry-USA TODAY Sports
With Will Fuller set to test free agency, receiver becomes a need for Houston. Wallace caught 59 passes for 922 yards and six touchdowns through nine games with Oklahoma State.
RB Najee Harris
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
If the Texans really wanted to add a capable running back who could produce out of the gate, the former Alabama running back would be a good option. Harris carried 251 times for 1,466 yards and 26 touchdowns.
DT Tyler Shelvin
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The former LSU Tiger opted out of his last year in college due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Shelvin collected 39 tackles, 3.0 sacks, and two pass breakups in 2019 when he played 13 games.
C-G Creed Humphrey
Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
With Humphrey, the Texans would have some position flex. They could either move Nick Martin to one of the guard spots, or they could move Humphrey. Either way, the Texans would have a younger backup who could take a starting job in the next couple seasons.
OT Jalen Mayfield
Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Much like Humphrey, the Mayfield pick would give Houston position flex. Not only could they kick Tytus Howard inside at guard, but they could do the same with Mayfield.
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