The Houston Texans have six picks in the top-110 to help complete the rebuild under general manager Nick Caserio.
One of the picks that has captured Houston sports fans’ imagination is No. 13 overall, one of the prizes received in the Deshaun Watson trade. With Houston picking at No. 3 overall and No. 13 overall in Round 1, the Texans have an opportunity to turn around the roster in a hurry.
According to Daniel Jeremiah from NFL.com, who released the third version of his mock draft post free agency, the Texans address their pass rush at No. 3 overall with the selection of Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux.
The Texans are loaded with draft capital after the Deshaun Watson trade. Adding a premier pass rusher would be a good cornerstone for their rebuild.
The Jacksonville Jaguars take Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson off the top. The Detroit Lions follow with Georgia defensive end Travon Walker. This means Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton is still on the board and the Texans pass on him. Of course, so do six other teams, including the New York Jets and New York Giants twice apiece, as Washington nabs him at No. 11 overall.
With Houston’s second pick in the first round, the organization addresses the secondary with the selection of Washington cornerback Trent McDuffie.
McDuffie checked in a little smaller than anticipated at the combine (5-10 3/4 and 193 pounds with 29 3/4-inch arms), but his tape is outstanding.
McDuffie is the second cornerback off the board. Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner went No. 4 overall to the Jets. Derek Stingley goes No. 20 overall to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The first quarterback off the board is Pitt’s Kenny Pickett at No. 18 overall to the New Orleans Saints. Liberty’s Malik Willis is not selected in Round 1 of Jeremiah’s mock draft.
