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Houston Texans Mock Draft 3.0: Do surprises await at 2019 NFL Draft?

By Stephen Forsha

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 06: T.J. Hockenson #38 of the Iowa Hawkeyes scores a touchdown against Jacob Huff #2 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first quarter of the game on October 6, 2018 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 06: T.J. Hockenson #38 of the Iowa Hawkeyes scores a touchdown against Jacob Huff #2 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first quarter of the game on October 6, 2018 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 30: Offensive lineman Ryan Bates #52 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the Playstation Fiesta Bowl against the Washington Huskies at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 30: Offensive lineman Ryan Bates #52 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the Playstation Fiesta Bowl against the Washington Huskies at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Round 5 (162nd overall): Ryan Bates, OG, Penn State

The past few seasons, players on the Penn State offensive line have had the opportunity to improve their game while playing at a high level, plus blocking for very good NFL-caliber running backs as well. That is where offensive guard Ryan Bates comes into play, as he would be a nice addition to the Texans offensive line interior.

Houston needs to improve on their offensive line and challenge the current guards on the roster because they did not get the job done last season as they were a part of an offense that allowed over 60 sacks last season, with plenty of blame to go around.

According to the Pro Football Focus Draft Guide, Bates allowed just three sacks, one QB hit and had just two penalties in 2018 with the Nittany Lions.

Bates, in a DraftNetwork.com profile, was described as the following type of player while at Penn State:

"“Footwork allows for lateral mobility and effectiveness outside concepts in the run game … Too often comes up empty handed on first punch as a drive blocker.”"

So there is some good and bad when it comes to all draft choices, including Bates, but this being the fifth round, Bates brings a good value for the Texans as they continue to work on their offensive line and getting the right five players to work as one unit, because that sure didn’t happen last season.

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