Houston Texans Mock Draft: Defense needs to be the focus

Seventh Round (3 Picks)

• Michael Warren II, Running Back, Cincinnati
(248th overall pick)

The Texans draft here could pick up another running back to create training camp battles behind the duo of David Johnson and Duke Johnson, which will be needed greatly because the Texans draft decision makers need to have a backup plan in place.

In his three seasons at UC, Warren totaled 559 carries with 2,918 yards, averaging 5.2 yards per carry. He also rushed for 34 career touchdowns, and as for receiving, Warren finished with 51 career receptions for 442 yards (8.7 yards per reception) and three touchdowns.

• Khaleke Hudson, Safety, Michigan
(248th overall pick)

The Texans need to add a cornerback, and though this is late in the game so to speak, Khaleke Hudson of Michigan needs to have a look in the final round for the Texans.

Graded by Lance Zierlein of NFL.com as a backup or special teamer, either way the key word for the defense is depth. Adding a player like Hudson, who is a solid option at special teams this late in the draft, works out nicely for this franchise.

Hudson has a lot of work ahead of him this summer to be a better overall player at the next level, but if the Texans would take him here, he’d have a good amount of time this season to learn how to play in the NFL. In a press conference last week, general manager Bill O’Brien said he believes this will be a “veteran season“ for teams, so Hudson wouldn’t be expected to be the next to starter for this team, either.

In his senior season, Hudson totaled 102 total tackles, with 3.5 for a loss. He also collected two sacks and three passes defensed. Back in ’17 as a sophomore, in 13 games, Hudson finished with 83 total tackles and a career-high 18.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, eight sacks, 11 passes defensed and two interceptions.

• Scott Frantz, Tackle, Kansas State
(250th overall pick)

With their final pick of the 2020 NFL Draft, the Texans draft goes back to the offense to see what they can get from tackle Scott Frantz. Frantz comes in as the 35th overall rated tackle by Dane Brugler for the 2020 NFL Draft, but he does have size at 6-5, 307 pounds.

This is a player selected for possible potential and a player who most likely won’t see the field in 2020. In ’19, Frantz was voted onto the 2019 second-team All-Big 12 Coaches Team, as he played in a total of 51 games for his career, playing 13 games in three of his four seasons, and as a junior in ’18 he played in 12 games.

This is just one final attempt to get an idea of whom the Texans draft could include. The Texans can’t afford to be gamblers or risk-takers this season, so we’ll all get to see later this week what O’Brien has up his sleeve.