Houston Texans: Carlos Watkins is biggest question mark in 2017 Draft Class

Carlos Watkins remains the biggest mystery from Houston Texans’ 2017 draft class.

Carlos Watkins is entering the third year in the NFL after being drafted in the fourth by former Houston Texans general manager, Rick Smith. Watkins has been an intriguing player to monitor as he has the build and the frame to fit in different defensive schemes. He could serve as a 3-4 defensive end or a 4-3 defensive tackle.

Watkins has struggled to see playing time behind a loaded defensive line, but he has the opportunity to see a bigger role in 2019. Through his first two seasons in the league, Watkins has 24 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack, and one pass deflection through 16 games.

Watkins saw a lesser role in his second season only being active for four games after being on the game day roster for 12 games his rookie season. He was stuck behind J.J. Watt, D.J. Reader, Brandon Dunn, Christian Covington, Angelo Blackson, and competed with Joel Heath to see playing time on the Texans defensive line. However, there is a viable road ahead for Watkins to see more playing in his third season with Covington signing a one year deal with the Dallas Cowboys in free agency.

Watkins is ultimately the mysterious player in terms of upside from Texans 2017 draft class. Deshaun Watson, Zach Cunningham, D’Onta Foreman, and Julién Davenport have seen enough playing time to paint in a picture in how they would be utilized in game plans, but Watkins hasn’t seen enough action to see what type of player he can be in the Texans talented front seven.