A Last Minute Look at the Houston Texans’ Potential First Round Prospects

Since January, our time has been spent flicking through pages of eligible draft candidates for the Texans come draft day, and now that it’s finally here, it’s time to compile all of those names together into one big prospect list before a new name is added to the roster.

October 20, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Robert Woods (2) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the first half of the game against the Colorado Buffaloes at the Los Angeles Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The Texans select at No.27 today, a spot that remains one of the most flexible. I’m not Rick Smith so I won’t attempt to guesstimate a trade up or down scenario, but the second round possesses a lot of room for spill over talent, so there’s a safe bet that the Texans could trade down to address two needs in the same round.

Whatever happens, here’s a list of the names we’ve picked apart for the past eight weeks or so:

DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson

Easily a top 25 pick, and probably the highest rated receiver not named Tavon Austin or Cordarelle Patterson. Huge threat in the redzone and possesses ideal height.

Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee

Could fall to the second round, but taking him in the first isn’t a bad option. Showed at the Combine his speed hasn’t suffered at all since an ACL injury in 2012, and is known for his big strides after the catch is made.

Robert Woods, WR, USC

Could also fall to the second, but has punt return capabilities and is expected to develop into a dependable every down back. Hard to say what his rookie season will be like since Woods hurt his ankle in 2012, but he’s an ideal second go-to guy, which is what the Texans are looking for.

Keenan Allen, WR, California

Didn’t run the best 40 time (4.49), but still remains a first round prospect. Allen has ticks in just about every category, especially size and athleticism.

Kevin Minter, ILB, LSU

Wide receiver is the pick we’re expecting in the first round, but there’s a need at inside and outside linebacker, too. Minter should be somewhere in the Texans’ range, and had 15 tackles for a loss last season.

Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia

One of the best edge rushers available, and is a predicted late first round pick. Jones has a lot of physicality that the Texans would like, and he’s simply a sack machine.

Justin Pugh, OT, Syracuse

There’s a small majority of people that would like to see the Texans draft an offensive tackle early, and outside of Joeckel and Fisher, Pugh is one of the best possibilities after blocking Ryan Nassib’s blindside.

D.J. Hayden, CB, Houston

There’s also a small portion of people that would like to see the secondary as the main focus in the first round. I’ve discussed D.J. Hayden briefly on here before, and he’s a home town guy, so there’s a slight chance it could happen. Hayden is still under the radar but a potential surprise first round pick, he’s one of the best corners in the air though, and adjusts to fast receivers well.

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