The Houston Texans weren’t silent during the 2021 NFL free agency, handing out millions to more than two dozen veteran additions to kick off a rebuild under new coach David Culley. Sadly, very few of their moves solve one of their biggest issues, which means this month’s draft will be especially important. With no picks in the first and second rounds, of course, using this year’s draft class to add talent will be easier said than done. And that doesn’t even take into account whether or not star quarterback Deshaun Watson may or may not be available when games begin in September. So, what’s in store for the Texans? What recruits might be on their radar? Which positions will they prioritize their eight selections?
Here’s a look at how the Texans’ 2021 Draft unfolded:
3 (67) | WR Nico Collins | Michigan |
4 (109) | QB Kellen Mond | Texas A&M |
5 (147) | BY Milton Williams | Louisiana Tech |
5 (158) | OLB Elerson Smith | Northern Iowa |
6 (195) | TE Kenny Yeboah | Ole Miss |
| 6 (203) | CB Antonio Phillips | Ball condition |
| 6 (212) | OG Carson Green | Texas A&M |
| 7 (233) | S Paris Ford | Pittsburgh |
The Texans have so many long-term needs that they could pick a player at any position in the third. (Just no kicker or bettor, which wouldn’t be a shock considering how this Houston offseason has gone.) Here we have them adding a size-speed specimen to a large body of receivers headlining Brandin Cooks, Randall Cobb and Keke Coutee. Not a single one of these veterans is guaranteed to be on the list, let alone from, in a year or two. So Collins would make a lot of sense as an outside development target, especially with Will Fuller now enjoying the sun in Miami.
Mond, in the fourth, would make a brilliant (and intelligent) start to day three. Regardless of whether the nearly two dozen allegations of sexual misconduct against Watson are true, there is a growing possibility that the Pro Bowl QB will not be available to Texans in the fall. Watson, remember, wouldn’t want to stay with the squad anyway and could still hold a trade if he wasn’t suspended. Either way, things appear to be foggy for a while, which means Houston will be in dire need of QB’s help. Tyrod Taylor is in place as an emergency stop measure, but Mond brings Colin Kaepernick-like double threat traits that could ignite at least part of the fanbase in 2021 and beyond.
Williams and Smith, the fifth rounds projected here, would help consolidate a 3-4 forward-seven that’s now without JJ Watt on the defensive end and could use long-term depth behind veterans like Whitney Mercilus at the outside linebacker. Yeboah, meanwhile, might struggle to start the shots on a tight end with his pass-catching skills. Phillips would provide depth at the cornerback, where the Texans have too often bet on low-risk bets like Vernon Hargreaves. Green and Ford could also add competition along the O line and in the secondary.
