Houston Texans bye week 7-round mock draft

Brandon Joseph is a third-round steal for the Houston Texans

The 2020 Big Ten Freshman of the Year award recipient is no stranger to making big plays. Last year alongside future first-round selection Greg Newsome II, the Northwestern Wildcats were led by these two shutdown secondary players en route to a Big Ten West conference title and taking Justin Fields and the Ohio State Buckeyes to the brink in the Big Ten Championship game.

The very first play linked in the highlights shows just how much of a ballhawk that Joseph can be. 2021 has been the complete opposite for Joseph’s squad, but he remains their best player at the third level of the defense.

Lonnie Johnson Jr. has struggled mightily for Houston this year and has often been the target for a lot of Texans fans’ frustration as passes are completed at will. Putting Joseph opposite of Reid will help close the open lid that has been deep in the Texans’ secondary, finally allowing the defensive line to get some coverage sacks and get the unit off the field.

Another indirect benefit of this pick? Joseph attended College Station High School. Another local kid coming home. Don’t let the down year Northwestern is having to affect your judgment of another standout Northwestern defender.