The Houston Texans are the talk of the town at this point in the offseason. After hiring Nick Caserio at general manager, a move that was not advised by the search committee, superstar quarterback Deshaun Watson has now been disgruntled to the point of wanting out of Houston. Not just that, but former head coach Bill O’Brien has cap strapped the team, and traded away their first and second round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
However, should the Texans deal Watson, they will be back in the game as far as the draft is concerned as they should be able to recoup their first, and probably second round pick back (plus more). Caserio and whomever their new head coach will be certainly have their work cut out for them as they seek to dig out of the hole that O’Brien and Jack Easterby have dug.
In this 2021 NFL Mock Draft, the Texans look to jumpstart their rebuild, starting with a trade of Watson as his future in Houston looks gloomy to say the least.
Texans get picks back in simulated trade
In this mock draft, the Texans have dealt Watson to his preferred destination in the Miami Dolphins. Funny enough, the Dolphins are the team that currently holds the Texans’ first two picks in the 2021 NFL Draft. In this simulation, the Texans not only get their picks back (third overall and 36th overall), but the Texans also receiver quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and Miami’s 2022 first round pick.
How will the Texans capitalize in this mock draft now with the third and 36th overall pick back in their possession?
Round 1, Pick 3: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
Now with their original first round pick back after the trade of Watson, the Texans are on the clock with the third overall pick in this 2021 NFL Mock Draft. There are a variety of ways to go with this pick, with big needs at cornerback, offensive line, wide receiver, and more.
While offensive line is a need, most of the needs come along the interior of the offensive line. With Laremy Tunsil, and with Tytus Howard drafted in the first round less than two years ago, it seems unlikely the Texans will go tackle with the third overall pick, even with Oregon’s Penei Sewell still on the board.
Instead the turn to the defensive side of the football, taking the best defensive player available here in the form of Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II. He is long, athletic, and physical, giving the Texans a long term solution at the position, and a true lockdown cornerback to put on an island.
The son of former Pro Bowler in Patrick Surtain, Surtain II is looking to create his own destiny and form his own Hall of Fame career. That starts here as the Texans get Bradley Roby a solid running mate for the future.
Round 2, Pick 36: Wyatt Davis, OG, Ohio State
After passing on offensive line help with the third overall pick, the Texans come on the clock with the 36th overall pick with guard help squarely in their sights. Currently starting Zach Fulton and Max Scharping at the guard positions, both left much to be desired this season for the Texans. While Scharping is still young and has time to rebound, Fulton can be parted from for just less than a million dollars in dead cap.
Strapped for cash, this may be a move the Texans take in order to clear $3 million in cap space. With the 36th overall pick in this mock draft, the Texans take Ohio State guard Wyatt Davis. Dominant and scheme diverse, Davis is a day-one starter who has the ability to dominate as a rookie and beyond.
Round 3, Pick 67: Hunter Long, TE, Boston College
The best tight end not named Kyle Pitts or Pat Freiermuth is Boston College’s Hunter Long. Some may say it is a hot take to have him over Miami’s Brevin Jordan, but between the stripes Long has the ability to dominate at every level of the field. This is the direction the Texans turn here with their third round pick, upgrading over the likes of Jordan Akins and Darren Fells.
On the season, the 6-foot-5 and 253 pound redshirt junior tight end racked up 57 catches for 685 yards and five touchdowns for the Eagles. While the NFL Scouting Combine will not take place, Long will still get the opportunity to prove he is plenty athletic as well. From Boston College to Houston, he comes off the board with the 67th overall pick here.
Round 4, Pick 102: Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Memphis
An upgrade at the running back position is a much-needed addition for the Texans. David Johnson is over the hill, and there is no telling if he will survive under this new regime. Duke Johnson remains under-utilized and now has just one year left on his contract in Houston. They address that here at the top of day-three of the draft as the Texans select Memphis running back Kenneth Gainwell.
How does over 2,000 all-purpose yards in 2019 sound? After rushing for nearly 1,500 yards and 13 touchdowns, and catching 51 passes for 610 yards for the Tigers, Gainwell opted out of the 2020 season. He is a bit slight at just 5-11 and 191 pounds, but Gainwell has three-down potential for the Texans.
Round 4, Pick 115: Dayo Odeyingbo, EDGE, Vanderbilt
There have been whispers that after Watson, longtime Texan J.J. Watt may be the next to want out of Houston after the fallout featuring Easterby continues. With the size and length that compares to that of Charles Omenihu, the Texans land the potential Watt replacement in the form of Vanderbilt’s Dayo Odeyingbo.
Listed at 6-foot-6 and 275 pounds, Odeyingbo also has borderline 36 inch arms. Not only that, but Odeyingbo has the versatility to align all over the defensive front, making him a versatile weapon for the Texans to deploy. He would be an absolute steal with the 115th overall pick.
Round 5, Pick 133: Anthony Schwartz, WR, Auburn
It looks likely that the Texans will lose Wil Fuller in free agency this upcoming offseason, especially after his suspension. With that being said, the Texans will now have to add another speedy deep threat to their offensive system to replace him. They do that here in the form of Auburn’s Anthony Schwartz.
Drae Harris of The Draft Network breaks down Schwartz’ game:
"He has excellent suddenness off the line of scrimmage and quickly eats up a defender’s cushion. Schwartz is the type of ball carrier that keeps you on the edge of your seat due to his home run ability to take any catch or carry the distance. Because his deep speed is so dynamic, he forces defenders to open their hips early — as a result, hitches and 5 routes are usually easy pitch and catch situations. He demonstrates toughness to catch slant routes from the slot and also 6 routes. He has good tracking ability and soft hands to catch deep balls."
Rumors that he has the ability to break the combine’s 40 yard dash record cannot come true now after the cancellation of the event. However he can straight up fly. On the year for the Tigers, Schwartz racked up 636 yards and three touchdowns on 54 catches. He now heads to Houston to be their next big deep threat.
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Round 6, Pick 166: JaCoby Stevens, S, LSU
Adding another versatile weapon to their defense, the Texans land LSU safety JaCoby Stevens with the 166th overall pick in this mock draft. Stevens will become what will turn out to be one of three sixth round picks the Texans hold.
Listed at 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds, Stevens has the versatility to align at the third level of the defense and at the second level of the defense. In 10 games this season, Stevens racked up six tackles for loss, three sacks, four passes defended, and a forced fumble for the Tigers. He will be a much-needed chess piece to this defense.
Round 6, Pick 179: Jordon Scott, DT, Oregon
When it comes to stopping the run, a nose tackle who has the ability to take over multiple gaps and keep linemen off of the linebackers is a necessity. Oregon’s Jordon Scott is just that as he is listed at 6-foot-1 and 311 pounds. Zach Cunningham and Bernardrick McKinney rejoice as they now have space to shoot gaps.
Round 6, Pick 189: Dee Eskridge, WR, Western Michigan
Doubling up on wide receivers, the Texans need a threat who can win after the catch to pair with Schwartz. Dee Eskridge of Western Michigan has a shade of Randall Cobb to his game with his ability to take a short pass to the house.
Listed at 5-foot-9 and 190 pounds, Eskridge averaged a whopping 23 yards per reception in 2020. In total, he racked up 768 yards receiving and eight touchdowns on just 33 catches this past year for the Broncos.
Round 7, Pick 196: Aaron Banks, IOL, Notre Dame
There is no way Aaron Banks hangs around this late in the actual 2021 NFL Draft. However as many have still not gotten their eyes on him, he sits as a seventh round pick in most simulators. The Texans will obviously take advantage of taking another talented offensive lineman this April.