2019 NFL Draft: Jawaan Taylor a longshot for Houston Texans to draft
The Houston Texans will have to trade up in the 2019 NFL Draft if they want to select the highest-ranked offensive tackle to improve their offense.
It is very simple for the Houston Texans when it comes to the 2019 NFL Draft and that is they must selected an offensive tackle this year and early in the draft process.
The Texans need to draft a tackle that can provide instant success and help to the franchise when it comes to protecting their starting quarterback Deshaun Watson. Not only that, the Texans need a player who can improve the rushing game as well, so there is a lot on the line when it comes to selecting their next starting offensive tackle.
The highest-ranked offensive tackle in the 2019 NFL Draft is Florida’s Jawaan Taylor who many believe can be a very instant success at right tackle or guard in the NFL, and that is a player the Texans could use on their offensive line. The problem is Taylor is a player the Texans most likely won’t move up in the draft select either, unless they really want to part ways with another draft pick too.
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One 2019 NFL Draft Profile written by Lance Zierlein of NFL.com has Taylor — who at the NFL Combine recorded 24 reps in the bench press — as his top tackle in the draft. Not only that, Zierlein describes what type of play Taylor provides when he is on the field, writing the following:
"“His feet are good enough to slide out on speed rushers and redirect them past the pocket, but his hustle to protect his edge will expose him to inside moves from power counters.”"
Taylor would provide great balance and skill to the Texans offensive line, but I don’t see him as a player the Texans should really target by moving up in the draft to select. The Texans really need to look to find a left tackle to start immediately for the franchise, as there should be a left tackle available to select with the 23rd overall pick if the Texans decide to go that way. If that happens, the Texans also have two second round picks to add to their offensive line too, so they do have choices this year when the draft begins.
In a recent mock draft by Ryan Wilson of CBSSports.com, he has Taylor being drafted seventh overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars, so that means the Texans if they really want Taylor would have to jump ahead or make a deal with a division rival, and that would be tough to do.
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Overall, Taylor is a very solid and talented offensive linemen that the Texans could really use, but it is doubtful they would trade up in the draft to add him to their roster, which is why the entire draft process is interesting.