Texans Mock Draft: Deshaun Watson stays; post Super Bowl edition

Texans Draft: Pick No. 148 (Round 5): Israel Mukuamu, CB, South Carolina

Here is a player that could amp up the secondary of the Houston Texans, and that is South Carolina cornerback Israel Mukuamu.

In three seasons at South Carolina, Mukuamu totaled 64 solo tackles, seven interceptions and nine passes defensed. Mukuamu had a groin injury this past season, and with that he opted out after the injury.

Houston needed better production at cornerback in 2020, and with changes coming to the defense, this draft is a perfect spot to start the rebuild of the secondary by adding Mukuamu to the mix.

The cornerbacks of the Texans for their most recent depth chart for this past 2020 season were Gareon Conley, Cornell Armstrong, Bradley Roby, Phillip Gaines, Keion Crossen, Vernon Hargreaves and John Reid. Conley, Hargreaves, Gaines and Armstrong are all free agents this offseason.

Joe Marino of The Draft Network said this of Mukuamu’s “ideal role” with an NFL team:

"“Outside corner that can situationally play in the slot. Has some appeal as a slot safety/positionless sub-package defender.”"

In his last full season with South Carolina, Mukuamu had 45 solo tackles, four interceptions, one touchdown and an impressive nine passes defensed.