Mid-To-Late Round Pass Rushing Options For The Houston Texans

Jan 24, 2015; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad running back David Cobb of Minnesota (37) is tackled from behind by South squad outside linebacker Lynden Trail of Norfolk State (97) in the third quarter of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The North won, 34-13. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports

Lynden Trail, Norfolk State

Another small school player, Norfolk State defensive end Lynden Trail has been coined the draft’s “biggest mystery” by Peter King of the MMQB.

“I never in my wildest dreams, after transferring, thought I’d have a shot at the NFL” – Trail

Reading the peace by King, you can’t help but root for the guy who talks about wanting to make sure his mother never has to work again. According to King he “lives in the real world” and after failing to crack the rotation at the University of Florida, Trail transferred to Norfolk State to figure out what he would do with his life while at least playing some football.

"“Trail assumed he’d enjoy his three seasons in Norfolk and then enter the workforce. He had been editing video as a hobby since high school, and he planned to train in all aspects of media production in college. He guessed he’d graduate and work his way up to ESPN. He did not think he might still have the chance to play on ESPN. “I never in my wildest dreams, after transferring, thought I’d have a shot at the NFL,” Trail says.”"

Now for the youngster the question about if he will get a shot doesn’t seem as prevalent as what will he do in the NFL. An intriguing prospect with great size at 6’7″ and  269 pounds, he says he will play any position. King mentions the idea of him playing defensive end, 3-4 linebacker or even possibly tight end (he did have three catches for nine yards and three scores in 2013, sounds like a defender we know Texans fans).

While he never recorded more than eight and a half sacks (in 2013), he did total 255 tackles with 41 of those going for a loss in his three-year career. He also deflected 18 passes, forced eight fumbles and had four blocked kicks. A tall frame and long arms like his can be very disruptive, especially on special teams.

Trail could be the perfect project player and is expected by most people to be around no later than the fifth round of the draft.

Next: One Of O'Brien's Own