4 players Texans should be watching closely at Reese’s Senior Bowl

Each year scouts, general managers, media, players, and coaches gather in Mobile, Alabama to kick off the NFL Draft cycle with the Reese’s Senior Bowl. While the circumstances may be different this year with the ongoing health crisis, the event is still taking place, and it is one the Houston Texans should be keeping a close eye on.

Over the past few years, players like New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones and Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen have used the event to solidify themselves as top-ten picks in the draft. Smaller school guys like Alex Cappa and Ali Marpet of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have used the Senior Bowl to prove they can play at a high level despite their level of competition.

This is the first real look NFL teams get at 2021 NFL Draft prospects this season. As the Texans have a sparing amount of draft capital (for now) they will have to attempt to pull steals from every pick they have got, leaving their attention in Alabama this week.

What positions could Texans be looking to improve?

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The roster in Houston has holes from front to back in it, including now potentially even at quarterback as Deshaun Watson is not budging. However, in the modern NFL, the roadmap towards victory is being able to throw the ball, and being able to stop the pass.

This is why the Kansas City Chiefs have loaded up on cornerbacks, safeties, and speed offensively over the past few years. If the Texans are smart they will do the same. This means getting pass rushers, guys who can play in press man coverage, and weapons offensively who can put points on the board. This should be the emphasis moving forward in Houston.

Who are four players at the Senior Bowl who could help out with this model?

1. Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB, Syracuse

Still to this day, Syracuse cornerback Ifeatu Melifonwu has remained a sleeper in this 2021 NFL Draft class. As the week moves along in Mobile, I suspect that will change. Then when the regional combines hit, Melifonwu will burst onto the scene in a large way. While he is currently slated as a mid-second-to-third rounder, Melifonwu may be on his way to hearing his name called in the first round this upcoming April.

The brother of former second round pick Obi Melifonwu, Ifeatu comes to the NFL Draft as a much more refined player than his brother was four years ago. Listed at a massive 6-foot-2.5 and 212 pounds, Melifonwu possesses extraordinary length for the cornerback position and knows how to wield it as well.

Usually cornerbacks his size are stiff and typecast a Cover-3 cornerbacks, but Melifonwu looks to break that mold, as he is plenty fluid as well. He can come up to the line of scrimmage and make a receiver work off the line of scrimmage, and shows the oily hips to hang with them break for break. Not only that, but Melifonwu will comfortably run in the 4.4s in his 40 yard dash as well.

All in all, Melifonwu is a player who should find his way to the Texans should they acquire a late first or early second round pick this upcoming April.

2. Hamsah Nasirildeen, S, Florida State

There was no better player on the field in Mobile for the first day of practices than Florida State safety Hamsah Nasirildeen. Despite tearing his ACL at the end of the 2019 season, Nasirildeen returned to play sparingly for the Seminoles this past season, and now looks to be completely recovered as he battles in Mobile.

Nasirildeen is a massive and versatile safety, one that can play over the top, get into the box as a run defender, and even hold his own in man coverage in space. He measured in at a massive 6-foot-3 and 213 pounds, with over 34 inch arms and 10 inch hands.

Yesterday at the Senior Bowl, Nasirildeen was sticking wide receivers, tight ends, and running backs alike, proving to be a threat in three phases defensively. While he played in just two games this season in Tallahassee, Nasirildeen managed to tally a tackle and a half behind the line of scrimmage, an interception, and a pass defended on the year.

With Justin Reid having complete control over top of the defense, getting him a running mate who can operate at every level of the defense will give whomever the next head coach and defensive coordinator is a chess piece to move around and to toy with.

3. Marlon Tuipulotu, DT, USC

Here is a real quiz for you: name one defensive tackle on the roster in Houston not named Ross Blacklock. You had to think about that one for a little bit didn’t you? That is a problem for the Texans. Good news, however, for general manager Nick Caserio and his team: It’s a pretty good class at the Senior Bowl; it is headlined by USC’s Marlon Tuipulotu.

In five games this past season, Tuipulotu racked up two sacks and three tackles behind the line of scrimmage, forcing one fumble for the Trojans. He shows a great first step off of the line of scrimmage, active hands, and the ability to counter attack should his initial move be stunned. He wreaked havoc on offensive linemen in both team and one-on-one drills yesterday, giving his draft stock a boost.

If Leslie Frazier becomes the new head coach, like many anticipate being the case, then the Texans will be moving to a 4-3 defense, one they are wildly unprepared to run with their current personnel. Adding defensive tackle depth, regardless of scheme, must be a priority in Houston anyway. Keep Tuipilotu on your radar.

4. Demetric Felton, WR, UCLA

Speed and playmaking ability in space is the name of the game moving forward, and should be the for the Texans as well. While he is small, UCLA gadget wide receiver Demetric Felton was electric on the opening day of the Senior Bowl. Besides, size and contested catch ability is no longer ultra translatable to the NFL, instead route running and separation is key.

A player who was not even a full-time wide receiver with the Bruins, taking reps in the backfield at running back as well, Felton shows a great deal of savvy as a route runner, displaying to be a twitchy athlete who can get in and out of his cuts with a high level of efficiency. Given his athletic ability and experience as a running back, making plays in the open field is no struggle of Felton either.

As the Texans usher in a new regime, some of the more expensive O’Brien players may be shown the door as they fight against the salary cap. One of those players is veteran receiver Randall Cobb. Should Cobb be shown the way out of Houston, Felton would be a spectacular option to take his place. This is just the beginning for the rise of Felton.