Houston Texans quick reaction NFL Draft grades 2019: Tytus Howard

The Houston Texans finally made their pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, but was it the correct choice for the reigning AFC South champions.

With the 23rd overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans selected offensive tackle Tytus Howard of Alabama State. One of the Texans’ top targets, Washington State offensive tackle Andre Dillard, was selected the pick before by the Philadelphia Eagles, who jumped ahead of the Texans in a trade with the Baltimore Ravens.

Listed below is the rapid reaction draft grade for the Texans’ 23rd overall pick:

In drafting an offensive tackle, the Texans now have a player to build on their roster who should eventually become the guy to help with pass protection of franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson who was sacked 62 times this past season.

Howard is 6-5 and weighs 322 pounds, and at the NFL Combine this past February he measured with 34-inch arms and 10 5/8 inch hands. The Alabama State senior had a 5.05 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and had a total of 21 reps at bench press.

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com had Howard graded as a second-round selection and has his NFL comparison as Desmond Harrison. In his draft overview of Howard, Zierlein wrote the following on the newest Texans tackle:

"“He needs development, but he’s much more than a developmental prospect and could find a starter’s spot within his first two years.”"

With the draft overview of Zierlein and the punch to the gut it seems the Texans should be taking by missing out on Dillard, this choice is bittersweet, but the franchise did finally do something to start rebuilding their offensive line.

The Texans must see something great in Howard as they passed on offensive tackles such as Jawaan Taylor (Florida), Cody Ford (Oklahoma), Greg Little (Mississippi) and Dalton Risner (Kansas State), but the best thing about this selection is that the Texans made a move to fix the underperforming offensive line from 2018.