With Mel Kiper, Jr. playing general manager… in the third round the Houston Texans select;
Nov 16, 2013; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (14) warms up before the game against the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Cornerback, Oregon 5’9″ 192 pounds
A corner who is considered undersized, Ifo Ekpre-Olomu is a playmaker who also has some serious questions about health after a knee injury took him out at the end of his 2014 season. Yet his abilities and belief in himself are reasons scouts are still high on him.
"Ekpre-Olomu’s height and knee issue are likely to take him off the board as a first-round prospect for many defenses. However, what he lacks in measurables, he makes up for with production, natural ability and confidence. He might lack the size teams want from an outside cornerback, but he’s more than capable of playing in the slot and playing press, off or zone effectively. Unfortunately for Ekpre-Olomu, the knee injury could hurt his draft stock"
How he fits in Houston:
Ekpre-Olomu was once thought to be a sure fire first round pick, but surgery late in 2014 has his availability for the early part of 2015 in question. His knee problems and questions about his overall speed could have him falling to the third round.
His smarts and potential could have him being a steal for the Texans in the long run, even if in the short run there is limited return. Once he is on the field he could be a talented third corner to go along with starters Johnathan Joseph and Kareem Jackson. Given Joseph’s age, the team would be able to groom Ekpre-Olomu as his eventual replacement.
If the Texans end up being able to select these three players in the first part of the 2015 NFL draft I would have to believe most of the fans would be pretty pleased, despite the belief that a receiver early is a must. The results from these players would go a long way towards helping the team take their next step under head coach Bill O’Brien.