2017 NFL Draft: Day 2 Dream Scenario for the Texans

The Houston Texans are off to a hot start in the 2017 NFL draft and it could get even hotter.

The Texans came into this draft with their three biggest needs being quarterback, right tackle, and safety. They checked the first one off the list last night.

I am a firm believer in drafting the best player available to build a roster and once said if a roster is rich in talent, you can go after your needs.

The Texans did so by trading up for the 12th overall pick  to select Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson. They mortgaged next year’s first and second (basically) to do so. I graded that trade here.

Without their top two selections for next year’s draft, it has put an even greater emphasis on day two of this year’s draft. The Texans can come out with an even more impressive draft haul today if the cards fall in their favor a bit.

Two players that fit this team like a glove, and should be available are as follows:

Round 2 (57th overall)

Taylor Moton, OT, Western Michigan

I have not shied away from expressing my interest and admiration for Moton to be a Houston Texan. I love the kid. He is a 6-foot-5, 330 pound hulk of a man who makes weights look like marshmallows the way he throws them around.

The Texans have an emphasis on the run game, as they have been a top five rushing team in terms of attempts since head coach Bill O’Brien came aboard.

Moton is rigid in pass blocking, but can start day one at right tackle and add a nastiness to Houston’s line while learning the ropes of pass blocking.

Here is what NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein had to say about Moton:

"Has dominant drive-blocking potential. His down blocks turn into steam-rollings. Coordinates hips and hands for maximum pop through point of contact as run blocker. Held his own against Ohio State in 2015 and smothered Illinois DE Dawuane Smoot this season. A bear with strong paws. Plays tend to end for defender once he latches on."

Round 3 (89th overall)

Desmond King, S, Iowa

King was recently mocked by Matt Miller of Bleacher Report to fall to the Texans in his day two mock draft on bleacherreport.com. I did not think King would fall that far but this has given me hope.

King’s lack of production and inevitable move to safety due to his lack of straight line speed and overall quickness are what could drop him to the third round.

King was widely regarded as a first round talent last season but saw his value fall as he stayed in school an extra year. The 2015 Jim Thorpe award winner finished that season with 72 tackles and 8 interceptions with one returned for a touchdown.

This past season, King saw his production fall to only a measly 58 tackles and 3 interceptions. This was mainly as a cornerback.

At 5-feet-10, 201 pounds and gifted with tremendous ball skills and off the chart football instincts; King should fit in just fine at safety. He showed an iron man mentality as he played in over 94 percent of Iowa’s defensive snaps in his four seasons with the Hawkeyes.

King could be groomed into a starting safety role with the Houston Texans and fills a huge need that also matches up with best players left on the board.