HOUSTON TEXANS POST-DRAFT TEAM GUIDE

A team that didn’t fail at all at making headlines throughout the offseason, the Texans are headed to what looks like a long-term rebuild. With quarterback Deshaun Watson’s future still in question and a new regime overhauling the roster, led by Nick Caserio, the roster has massive strides and improvements to make in the future. It was a long wait in the draft room until their first selection in the third round, but the team made five selections that added much-needed youth.

Let’s take a look back at the Texans’ 2021 NFL Draft class:

Round 3: Davis Mills, QB, Stanford

Signing Tyrod Taylor and then following that up with the selection of Mills tells everyone all that they need to know about the future outlook at the position. Fully prepared to trot out Taylor as the Week 1 starter, the team was smart to invest in some insurance for him as he’s widely seen as a bridge option to a younger passer. It’s happened during Taylor's previous three stops in Buffalo (Josh Allen), Cleveland (Baker Mayfield), and Los Angeles (Justin Herbert). Mills was viewed as the top option after the “big five” players at the position. Possessing a small sample size as he’s only started 11 games (appeared in 14 contests), Mills was praised for his savvy, middle-of-the-field efficiency, and scratching the surface of what could be a promising preview of the future.

Round 3: Nico Collins, WR, Michigan

Filling the absence of Will Fuller, the team elected to take Collins. A prospect that can step in right away and gobble up the deep targets that the team utilized frequently a season ago, Collins is a towering presence at 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds. At his best when operating routes that enable him freedom moving vertically, he’s a go-ball specialist that has flashes of dominance at the catch point. With his challenges to gear down and alter directions, his role early on will be as a third-level operator that can piece together stretches of chunk plays that places stress on defenses.

Round 5: Brevin Jordan, TE, Miami

Suffering a bit of a longer tumble than predicted, Jordan landed in a spot where he could become a key contributor rather quickly. During his time at Miami, he was a versatile weapon that saw him line up at multiple alignments. With his experience in-line, in the slot, on the perimeter, and even in the backfield, there won’t be too many pre-snap surfaces that are foreign to him as a rookie. He tested like a below-average athlete at the position, but his game film debunks a lot of those athleticism question marks that surfaced at Miami’s pro day. He needs to improve his catch consistency in contested situations, but strictly as a pass-catcher, it’s easy to see how he could quickly become a popular target. Adding Jordan into the mix with last year's third-round pick in Kahale Warring gives the franchise young competition at the position.

Round 5: Garret Wallow, LB, TCU

A former safety, Wallow made the transition to linebacker. Doing it seamlessly, he quickly became the leader on one of the best attacking defenses in the country. Although a bit undersized, he’s an aggressive and rangy second-level player. Following the trade of Benardrick McKinney, there’s lots of competition at the MIKE spot. Still unclear on if Wallow will play in the middle or on the weak side, regardless, he’s an interesting name to throw in the mix for a depth chart that has lots of open spots on both sides of the ball.

Round 6: Roy Lopez, IDL, Arizona

Beginning his career at New Mexico prior to transferring to Arizona to finish out his career, Lopez is a strong and stout player along the interior. Spending time at both zero and 1-technique, he’s a late-round shot at someone that could serve as depth as an anchor for the interior of the Texans' defense.