The 2020 NFL Draft is only one day away, meaning there is a lot of Houston Texans news concerning the reigning back-to-back AFC South champions.
The Houston Texans news that includes DeAndre Hopkins and Houston just can’t break away from each other as Sports Illustrated featured on the former Texans wide receiver with a cover story.
These two — the Texans and Hopkins — will always be linked because of the All-Pro level Hopkins played with the franchise for seven seasons, and the fact general manager/head coach Bill O’Brien traded Hopkins because of varying reasons.
The trade will have the another big piece added to it on Friday, during Day 2 of the 2020 NFL Draft, as the 40th overall selection that came over with running back David Johnson (plus exchanges of fourth round picks) will be selected by the Texans. Whomever the Texans take with that selection will always be remembered being a part of one of the biggest trades in Texans history for better or worse.
In the Sports Illustrated article by Greg Bishop it included the following about the trade as Hopkins knew he wasn’t going to return to the Texans for the 2020 season and beyond.
"“The wideout had spoken to his family throughout the season about his desire to start over, with a new team, and, more specifically, with a new boss. He believed that Bill O’Brien, the lone NFL coach to also hold a general manager title, had been shopping him for more than a year.”"
Those are some telling words in that excellent paragraph written by Bishop as to how the Texans are ran with O’Brien at the helm. As much as Texans fans didn’t want the trade to happen, it seems like Hopkins was ready for a change, as he was traded to the Arizona Cardinals, plus later in the article Hopkins spoke about how he had no relationship with the head coach. It is a must-read article for Texans fans.
Houston Texans News: Brent Qvale contract terms released
New Texans offensive tackle Brent Qvale one-year deal: $1.047M, $137,500 signing bonus, $300,000 total guaranteed, salary $910,000 ($162,500 fully gtd), veteran salary benefit, injury waiver
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) April 17, 2020
Here is some interesting Houston Texans news concerning the offensive line as the deal for offensive tackle Brent Qvale had the contract details released. Qvale is a nice addition for the depth of the Texans’ offensive as we all already know Laremy Tunsil will be the starting left tackle and Tytus Howard will start at right tackle.
Qvale is used to being in a reserve role as that is what he did while a member of the New York Jets since 2014. Last season, Qvale played 77 snaps with no penalties or sacks allowed according to Pro Football Focus.
Houston Texans News: Mock draft brings, defensive tackle, wide receiver in 2nd and 3rd rounds
Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News predicts the Houston Texans news coming from Day 2 of the 2020 NFL Draft will include defensive tackle Raekwon Davis of Alabama with the 40th pick, and wide receiver Bryan Edwards of South Carolina at 90th overall.
This is what is so great about mock drafts is the fact all opinions vary and none are the same. For instance, at the Toro Times we have in our final Texans mock draft defensive tackle Ross Blacklock of TCU at 40th overall.
There are other recent mock drafts that have the Texans leaning towards a defensive tackle at 40th overall, but when it comes to “Trader Bill,” nobody really knows what he’s thinking about when it comes to the 2020 NFL Draft which starts tomorrow night.
Houston Texans News: Final thoughts before Thursday night
There isn’t much hope we’ll see the Houston Texans make a draft choice in the first round this year, as trading up in the draft doesn’t seem likely for this franchise. On the other hand, Friday night the Texans could be active as they could drop down in the draft, gain more picks, and see where that take them. That is just a guess, nothing more.
This is a talented draft so trading down and grabbing more draft choices to build more depth within the roster isn’t such a bad thing for the Texans.