Texans patch defensive line, add offensive weapons in 7-round mock draft
By Cory Kinnan
Round 4, Pick 102: Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Memphis
The Johnsons, David and Duke, both appear to be replaceable. While David had a surprisingly efficient 2020 season, he is nearing 30 years old at the position with the shortest shelf life in the sport. The Texans get a younger, versatile threat here at the top of day-three here in the form of Memphis’ Kenneth Gainwell.
Coming off of a 2019 campaign with over 2,000 total yards, Gainwell opted out of the 2020 season and declared for the draft. However averaging over six yards per carry and catching 51 passes in the same season makes him a dynamic threat to be targeted this upcoming April.
Round 4, Pick 115: Bobby Brown III, DT, Texas A&M
While they used their top draft pick on a defensive tackle a year ago in TCU’s Ross Blacklock, the interior of the defensive line in Houston is in shambles. Adding depth to that group this offseason must be of the utmost importance for the Texans this offseason. Here they land Texas A&M’s tantalizing defensive tackle Bobby Brown III.
Listed at 6-foot-4 and 325 pounds, Brown put together a massive season from the interior of the Aggies’ defense, racking up five and a half sacks and seven and a half tackles for loss. He can serve as a three-technique in a 4-3 defense, or plug up gaps as a nose tackle in 3-4 defenses as well. Look for Brown to be a massive riser as the 2021 NFL Draft rolls closer.