The Houston Texans draft now has a feel for drafting defensive players when the three-day event begins this Thursday night.
For what it is worth, the feeling for the Houston Texans draft process entering the 2020 NFL Draft was that they were going to select one of the many wide receivers from a very talented class. Now some aspects of the Texans draft have most likely changed because of a trade for Brandin Cooks, shifting the focus to defense.
Things aren’t what they seemed to be anymore as general manager — and resident decision maker — Bill O’Brien made a trade by sending a 2020 second-round pick (57th overall) for Brandin Cooks and a 2022 fourth-round pick.
This year, the Texans draft is still a mystery, not because of team needs, but who knows exactly what O’Brien and the staff of the Texans are thinking. Exactly what direction are they leaning toward is hard to say, but it should focus on the defense.
If the Texans draft is focused on defense, will it be a player added to the secondary? Houston could really throw a wrench into any plan, and they could just trade the second-round pick by either moving up into the first round, or they could trade back and add more draft capital, which makes this year’s draft a mystery.
As all of us attempt to figure out what’s next for the Texans draft, here are all of the 2020 NFL Draft picks in a final Toro Times mock draft as the real thing begins this Thursday night.
Round 2: Ross Blacklock, DT, TCU
(40th overall pick)
The Houston Texans draft needs to include a player to help replace the loss of D.J. Reader, so why shouldn’t the Texans roll the dice at 40th overall and select one of the best defensive linemen in the draft in Ross Blacklock of TCU?
This might seem a little bit out of the ordinary, and this isn’t the most exciting pick the Texans draft makers can make, but it is one that will bring instant results and make the defense better than what it currently is. Blacklock is capable of rushing the quarterback from the interior defensive line, and he’s able to make holes to others to rush as well.
Yes, the Texans did sign veteran defensive tackle Tim Jernigan in free agency, but they are going to need more than just his services to really compete with their front seven, and Blacklock seems like he could be that guy.
A positive about Blacklock is that he’s not only 6’3” and 290 pounds, but he’s described as a player who can be a starter within his first two seasons and that he can “find and split a double-team crevice,” plus he is “extremely athletic and agile in short spaces,” according to Lance Zierlein of NFL.com.
This would be a very nice pick for the Texans at 40th overall. Blacklock would contribute right away, have the ability to learn from a veteran like Jernigan, and he’s most likely a safe pick here, which is what the Texans need since they have no first-round pick.