Houston Texans 7-Round Mock Draft: Life after the DeAndre Hopkins trade

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 14: Jalen Reagor #1 of the TCU Horned Frogs runs the ball during the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium on September 14, 2019 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 14: Jalen Reagor #1 of the TCU Horned Frogs runs the ball during the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium on September 14, 2019 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 7
Next

The Houston Texans now have two second-round draft choices, which changes their entire 2020 NFL Draft compared to a week ago.

When the deal becomes finalized for the Houston Texans to trade All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals for David Johnson, a second-round pick and an exchange of fourth-round picks, the Texans’ draft style has to officially change as well.

There is probably no way the Texans will be selecting a running back in the second round as they’ll have David Johnson and Duke Johnson both being the top options at the position, which could be exciting for the offense.

More from Houston Texans Draft

What won’t be exciting is knowing that Hopkins won’t be the main option to pass the football for Deshaun Watson, meaning the 2020 NFL Draft will be a place where the Texans will really need to look for a top-tier wide receiver if possible in the second round.

The Texans could always look into a trade scenario, but that is still an unknown, so don’t be surprised if the Texans select a wide receiver to take the spot of Hopkins in the second round.

Houston as always will also be working on their offensive line, with a need to add depth to the guard and tackle positions, as they just decided this week to not tender an offer to Roderick Johnson.

This will be a very important part of the draft for Houston. Remember, last year two of their first three picks (one first round, two second round) went to the offensive line when they selected Tytus Howard at tackle in the first round, followed by a second-round pick of Max Scharping.

Both of those players are tentatively scheduled to play a big role for the offensive line of the Texans this upcoming season, so be on the lookout for not only their improvement from year one to year two, but also whom the Texans select to keep building to the offensive line.

With some of the decisions made by Bill O’Brien and his inner circle of football decision makers, the 2020 NFL Draft is of utmost importance for the Texans. With no first-round pick for this year  — and next year too — they can’t afford to swing and miss with this draft at all.

Houston still has a good opportunity to have a solid draft with eight total picks at the moment, so expect the Texans to make some solid choices, but also realize just like they did last year, the Texans will make some calculated risks with their selections as well.

Next is a mock draft for all eight selections the Texans will be making in late April.