The Houston Texans’ best available draft prospects at each position
Day one of the 2021 NFL draft is over, and now the draft can finally begin for the Houston Texans, who have one selection at No. 67 overall in Round 3.
There is still a plethora of talent left on the board as the Texans prepare to make their first selection. Here is a look at the best prospects available ahead of day two of the draft.
Kellen Mond, QB, Texas A&M
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Deshaun Watson is still on the roster, which means the Texans have yet to solve the uncertainty at quarterback. It is no surprise that Mond did not get selected in the first round. But if he is still on the board by the time the Texans make their first selection, Houston shouldn't think twice about the potential he has to become a starting caliber QB in the NFL. As a four-year starter at Texas A&M, Mond threw for a total of 9,661 yards and 71 touchdowns while competing for 59 percent of his passes.
Javonte Williams, RB, North Carolina
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The Texans struggled in the run game last year. In fact, it was the worst in franchise history. Houston ended the season ranked 31st in rushing, averaging 91.6 yards per game. Only the Pittsburgh Steelers finished the year averaging fewer yards in rushing than the Texans (84.4 yards per game). But with Mark Ingram and Phillip Lindsay signing as free agents, the Texans have enough help in the backfield to pair alongside David Johnson for this coming season. The Texans do not have a need for a running back in this year's draft. But Javonte Williams would give the Texans a solid option at the position for the future. In three years at North Carolina, Williams rushed for 2,297 yards and 29 touchdowns on 366 carries.
Terrace Marshall, WR, LSU
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The chances of the Texans selecting a wide receiver in this year's draft are high. But odds are this decision will come later in the draft. However, the Texans have had some luck using their first selection on a wide receiver in the past (Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins). Why not try and strike gold for a third time with Marshall from LSU? With Chris Conley (6-3) as the only receiver standing over six-foot-tall, Houston could add a taller wideout to their roster. Marshall is one of the taller receivers in this year's class, measuring in at 6-foot-3 during his pro day.
Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State
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If there was one position the Texans could forgo in this year's draft, it's at tight end. The Texans have a total of six players at the position headline by Jordan Akins. But if Nick Caserio is looking to secure someone for the future, Freiermuth would be a solid pick. Freiermuth is arguably the second-best tight end in this year's class. In three seasons at Penn State, Freiermuth recorded 1,185 yards and 16 touchdowns for the Nittany Lions.
Creed Humphrey, C, Oklahoma
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Regardless of who will be under center for the Texans in 2020, it's always a good idea to continue building a quality offensive line. Houston is in need of an interior offensive lineman, especially at center following Nick Martin's departure. Humphrey is someone the Texans can draft to add to their young offensive front to pair with Laremy Tunsil and Tytus Howard. During Humphrey's time at Oklahoma, Martin posted a PFF grade of 84.7 in run blocking and 68.9 in pass protection.
Carlos Basham, EDGE, Wake Forest
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Basham isn't the best edge rusher entering Day 2 of the NFL Draft. That honor would go to Georgia's Azeez Ojulari. But the likelihood of Ojulari falling to the Texans in the third round is absurd. However, Ojulari's falling out of the first round could open the door for Houston to get their hands on Basham from Wake Forest. Basham can give the Texans a talented edge rusher to pair alongside Charles Omenihu on the defensive line. Basham would be a significant steal for the Texans after recording 173 tackles (97 solo hits) and 19.5 sacks during his collegiate career.
Levi Onwuzurike, DT, Washington
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Onwuzurike is one of the most explosive defensive tackles in this year's class. And after opting out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19, Houston could have a chance to improve their interior defensive front with Onwuzurike. In three seasons at Washington, Onwuzurike posted an 86.6 PFF grade while recording 16.0 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks.
Jabril Cox, LB, LSU
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With the number of linebackers the Texans signed during the offseason, Houston may not look to add to the position through the draft. However, the Texans could use a linebacker who excels in pass coverage — one of Jabril Cox's most significant attributes. During his lone season at LSU, Cox led the team in interceptions with three while recording eight pass deflections.
Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford
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The Texans have a bevy of holes on their roster, and a bulk of their issues is with their secondary. Addressing their need at cornerback should be the Texans' primary goal entering the draft. Adebo isn't the best corner available entering Day 2, but he is one of the most realistic options for Houston. He is a defensive back always making a play on the ball — a skillset the Texans desperately need to add to their secondary. In 2019, Adebo received First Team All-ACC honors while leading the conference in pass deflections (16), to go along with four interceptions.
Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU
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Moehrig will likely be headed to his first NFL franchise by the time the Texans make their first selection. But he would be a tremendous steal should Moehrig is still waiting to hear his name called by the time the draft reaches the 67th overall pick. With Justin Reid and Lonnie Johnson Jr. returning for the 2021 season, Houston will add talent to their safety core, but it will likely come during the back half of the draft. A physical defensive back, Moehrig recorded a total of 47 tackles, nine pass deflections and two interceptions last season at TCU.
Specialists
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Evan McPherson, a kicker from Florida who drilled 85.0 percent of his field goals in college. Max Duffy, a punter who averaged 45.1 yards during his junior season at Kentucky.
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