’14 Houston Texans Draft Prospects: BCS National Championship Game

January 4, 2014; Newport Beach, CA, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Tre Mason (21) speaks with media at the Newport Beach Marriott. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Now onto Auburn, where they have 11 players on the CBS Board. One player we aren’t previewing as I don’t see the Texans selecting in the first round, but well worth his projection is offensive tackle Greg Robinson, the second-rated OT in the draft. He’s well worth watching in this game.

The Texans will need to look for a replacement for Ben Tate, and Tre Mason, a junior for the Tigers, is projected to be selected in the second round.

Mason (5-9, 205) is the second-rated running back and 48th overall rated player on the CBS Board.

I can’t say I know a lot about Mason, except for the fact he’s undecided on actually entering the NFL Draft.

His strengths, according to Rob Rang, are:

"“Mason is shorter than ideal but possesses a high-cut frame and a powerful lower body. Unlike many ‘smallish’ backs, Mason doesn’t waste a lot of time dancing behind the line of scrimmage. He’s a decisive, one-cut runner who attacks the hole …”"

The weaknesses according to the draft page are:

"“Has enough juice to go the distance but is a one-speed runner who lacks an elite second gear to pull away.”"

Somebody has to replace Tate, and Mason could be that guy, plus Arian Foster isn’t getting any younger. If I had my guess, though, I think the Texans will sign a veteran free agent to replace Tate to play behind Arian Foster.