C - Parker Brailsford (88) Connor Lew (80) TE - Oscar Delp (85) Marlin Klein (85) Jalen Kilgore & Adam Randall are two others players who check a lot of boxes for HOU draft history.
Post trade with 'zona (28 for 34 & 104): 2.34 Kayden McDonald 2.38 Gabe Jakas 2.59. Gennings Dunker 3.69 Oscar Delp 4.104 Tacario Davis 4.106 De'Zhaun Stribling 5.141 Josh Gesky 5.167 Jordan van den Berg 7.243 Tyren Montgomery
To me, the problem with taking Jakas and Dunker is that they're probably not going to get many snaps as they'll be on the bench. I love McDonald at 34 (although I doubt he would be there) and I love Delpo at 69, although I think that he too will be gone before then. I think our biggest needs besides DT and TE is a third, quality, CB who can start and play nickel and fill in as needed for Stingley and Lassiter. Also, a high-quality LB who can, hopefully, take Too'Too's job, especially with regard to pass coverage of LB's or RB's. After those I'd like to grab another WR in the 5th because we don't know if Tank Dell is going to be his old self and I'm not necessarily sold on Jaylin Noel. After that I think we may need to draft yet another DT for depth. I have mocked DE Derrick Moore to us with our 4th round pick as I believe he would give us quality depth his year and possibly start next year, depending on what we do with Hunter. Overall, I want to draft players that are going to make an immediate impact and help us get to the Super Bowl THIS year. Anyway, thanks for sharing your mock!
I totally get what you're saying. But not many rookies getting a ton of snaps on super bowl contenders. I drafted for depth and for guys to develop into starters so the Texans can manage the cap hits that are coming. Dunker and Jakas will get snaps and will allow our vets to get an occasional breather. And when their time comes they'll be cheaper options than Braden Smith or Daniel Hunter. I toyed going Delp at 59 and Dunker at 69. Perhaps that's the more realistic option? I think all my picks are pretty close to where their current value is. Stribling is my Tank insurance. As is Montgomery though he is, perhaps, not going to be there. I think that's my biggest reach honestly. Davis is that 3rd corner. He has elite speed and length and will make a tackle. That's all you can hope for in a backup. LB was a position I was using a top 100 pick on until recently but I think it's more important to keep adding talent on the lines and Delp.
Derek Barnett had 350 snaps in 2025. That is 1/3 of the total defensive snaps and he is not on the roster anymore. He also had reps on special teams. If the Texans take an Edge on day 2 they will get plenty of snaps. From what I've watched and read the general consensus is 7-9 edges could be selected in the first round. If you want one you really need to grab them early.
One of the biggest steals in the draft is DT Cam Rice from Maryland. 1st Team DT out of the Big Ten. The film is really good and he would fit perfectly for the Texans.
Watching him against Indiana... not so great. He was consistently out of position, not shedding his block, missing tackles, or getting worked by the Indiana OL
I didn't watch the Indiana game, but I did watch the Washington and Michigan game. He's a rare blend of speed and power as a 3 technique. Relentless motor, especially as he is kept on the field for most of the game. Maryland won only one Big 10 game this year, but Cam Rice was always one of the most dominant defenders in the game. You will have a hard time finding another DT with his raw athletic ability combined with the performance he put on film.
