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Houston Texans: Final 2019 7-Round Mock Draft

By Stephen Forsha

SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 04: Julian Love #27 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is knocked out of bound by John Wolford #10 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons after an interception at Notre Dame Stadium on November 4, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 04: Julian Love #27 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is knocked out of bound by John Wolford #10 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons after an interception at Notre Dame Stadium on November 4, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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ORLANDO, FL – DECEMBER 19: Josh Oliver #89 of the San Jose State Spartans makes a reception for a touchdown during the AutoNation Cure Bowl against the Georgia State Panthers at Florida Citrus Bowl on December 19, 2015 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – DECEMBER 19: Josh Oliver #89 of the San Jose State Spartans makes a reception for a touchdown during the AutoNation Cure Bowl against the Georgia State Panthers at Florida Citrus Bowl on December 19, 2015 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /

Round 5 (161st Overall): Josh Oliver, TE, San Jose State

Tight ends on the Houston Texans last season just didn’t get the job done for a variety of reasons, so the Texans once again need to use one of their seven draft picks in 2019 to see if they can add to their tight end roster and find a player who can contribute on a consistent basis.

It is said that Oliver could work his way to become a starter in the NFL, and in his NFL.com draft profile it says of him that he’s a hard worker and has worked to improve his skills. At the NFL Combine this past February, Oliver ran a 4.63 40-yard dash and showed strength as the 6-5, 249-pound tight end had 22 reps at bench press.

Oliver also has a 34-inch vertical jump, and with all of his measured abilities, he could fit into a nice tight end rotation with a combination of Ryan Griffin, Jordan Thomas and Jordan Akins, but if Oliver is drafted here, it is all but certain not all three of those players would return next season.

In limited play last season, Griffin had 24 receptions for 305 yards and no touchdowns. Thomas had 20 receptions for 215 yards and four touchdowns, and teammate Akins had 17 receptions for 225 yards and no touchdowns.

Oliver isn’t known for his blocking abilities, but the Texans need a tight end who can make a difference in the passing game with his receiving abilities, and Oliver is that player. CBSSports.com wrote this of Oliver in a draft scouting report:

"“Has off the charts athleticism but is raw and will need time to develop. Doesn’t always get in and out of breaks crisply but shows big-play ability. “"

Having big-play ability is something that works well with the Texans’ offensive roster, as he could fit in well with Deshaun Watson and the wide receiver trio because somewhere there will be a favorable matchup the Texans could take advantage of.

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