With no selections in the first two rounds of the 2021 NFL Draft, how does a 7-Round Mock Draft for the Houston Texans shape up? Can the Texans still manage to find potential starters despite not having a selection until No. 67 this year?
Houston Texans Post-Free Agency 7-Round Mock Draft
- Round 3, Pick 67: Josh Myers, OC, Ohio State
- Round 4, Pick 109: Anthony Schwartz, WR, Auburn
- Round 5, Pick 147: Caden Sterns, S, Texas
- Round 5, Pick 158: Jamie Newman, QB, Wake Forest
- Round 6, Pick 195: Camryn Bynum, CB, UCLA
- Round 6, Pick 203: Olaijah Griffin, CB, USC
- Round 6, Pick 212: Kylen Granson, TE, SMU
- Round 7, Pick 253: Frank Darby, WR, Arizona
Texans 2021 NFL Mock Draft | Pick-by-pick analysis
Josh Myers, C, Ohio State
The interior of the Texans’ offensive line has plenty of question marks, especially at center. Currently, Justin McCray is set to be the starter, but the Texans will certainly be looking for an upgrade. McCray played just 14 percent of the snaps with Atlanta last season and has only topped 50 percent once in his career. Therefore, a center has to be on the wish list when the Texans eventually come on the clock in the third round. If he lasts into the third round, Josh Myers would be an ideal selection.
In his scouting report, Pro Football Network’s Chief Draft Analyst Tony Pauline highlights how Myers is an “explosive blocker at the pivot who displays terrific strength in his game.” While Myers appears physically dominating, his athleticism is a concern. For that reason, Myers could be a candidate to fall into the third round if teams view others at the position as a better fit for their scheme. However, Myers is effective with the shotgun and snap, and he confidently quarterbacks the offensive line. He has the potential to be the leader of the Texans’ offensive line for years to come.
Anthony Schwartz, WR, Auburn
A number of receivers could be in play for the Texans in the third or fourth round. With no early-round selections due to the trade with the Miami Dolphins for left tackle Laremy Tunsil, the Texans will be looking to take a chance on players with intriguing measurables. Having just lost Will Fuller in free agency, the Texans immediately replace that game-breaking speed by adding Anthony Schwartz out of Auburn in this 2021 7-Round Mock Draft.
Schwartz currently leads the 2021 NFL Draft class in terms of the fastest 40-time. That home-run-hitting speed was identified by Pauline as a major asset in Schwartz’s scouting report. Many players don’t play to their 40-time on tape, but Schwartz is not one of them. Vital for speedy receivers, he has the ability to make over-the-shoulder catches. Additionally, he is a good route runner and can be devastating when combined with his speed.
The concerns with Schwartz come mainly with his size and strength. On the other hand, with a RAS of just 6.91, there are other concerns as well. Schwartz did not post good numbers in the vertical or broad jump, as well as the shuttle and three-cone drills. Those performances have left him with just “Okay” grades in terms of explosion and agility. For that reason, Schwartz’s success at the NFL level will be almost completely predicated on his speed. Furthermore, his athletic profile matches almost identically with the receiver the Texans just let leave in Fuller.
Caden Sterns, S, Texas
Once considered a potential first-round selection, Caden Sterns stock has fallen massively in the past 12 months. Nonetheless, he could be a good fit for the Texans, who need to upgrade from Eric Murray at strong safety. Sterns fits the strong safety mold well as a defender who is best against the run. As Pauline identified in his scouting report, Sterns can work well with cornerbacks in the pass coverage as well.
Inconsistencies are the biggest concerns with Sterns as an NFL prospect. However, the former five-star prospect certainly brings an impressive athletic profile to the table. At his pro day, Sterns posted impressive numbers in the 40-yard dash, the vertical and broad jumps, as well as the shuttle. He lacks a little in terms of size and strength, but the strength aspect is certainly something the Texans can work on if they draft a prospect with tremendous upside to work with.
Jamie Newman, QB, Wake Forest
With the quarterback situation very much up in the air right now, investing in a mid-round player at the position in this 2021 7-Round Mock Draft makes a lot of sense for the Texans. Regardless of the outcome surrounding Deshaun Watson, the Texans need a long-term plan at the quarterback position. With Tyrod Taylor only signed on a one-year deal this offseason, adding a player with the talent of Jamie Newman could provide the Texans with a short and long-term insurance plan.
Newman opted out of the 2020 season and then looked rusty after a strong start to the Senior Bowl in 2021. Newman demonstrated a lot of potential at Wake Forest as a pocket passer.
Some of the areas Pauline highlighted in his scouting report include Newman’s patience, his throwing motion, his timing, and his ability to look off the safety. Some of the concerns with his game include staring down receivers and holding the ball too long. However, Pauline calls Newman a high-upside prospect but needs time to develop and proper coaching to achieve that upside.
Camryn Bynum, CB, UCLA
The cornerback group for the Texans is an area they desperately need to address. There are intriguing players on the roster, including Bradley Roby, Desmond King II, and Vernon Hargreaves. However, this time next season, all three could be on another roster. Fortunately for the Texans, this cornerback class in the 2021 NFL Draft is extremely deep. Therefore, the Texans can draft a potential future starter in Camryn Bynum in the sixth round.
On Pauline’s current big board, he has Bynum ranked just outside the top 100. However, the consensus opinion right now has him going closer to pick 200. In his scouting report, Pauline called Bynum a “good value as Day 2 of the draft closes out.” If the Texans can get Bynum in the sixth round, that is a huge value for the franchise. He is a four-year starter and two-time captain who can bring experience and starting potential to the Texans.
Olaijah Griffin, CB, USC
After investing little capital in the cornerback position so far in this 2021 NFL Mock Draft, the Texans double down on the cornerback position in the sixth round. While Bynum is a potential starter on the outside, Olaijah Griffin appears more suited to playing in dime and nickel packages. What he lacks in size, he more than makes up for with outstanding ball skills. He is an effective cornerback in pass coverage and could be a useful addition in the back half of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Kylen Granson, TE, SMU
The tight end situation for the Texans is starting to look somewhat bleak. Jordan Akins has not progressed as the franchise would have hoped, and they let Darren Fells leave in free agency. Thus, look for the Texans to potentially invest a late-round selection in a tight end with upside such as Kylen Granson.
On his pro day, Granson posted a 7.71 RAS, thanks to “Elite” grades for speed and explosion, with a “Good” grade for agility. However, his “Very Poor” size grade highlights concerns around his blocking. Granson could be a useful weapon in the passing game but could be a liability as a blocker. Early in his career, those concerns could limit his snap counts. Importantly, Pauline highlights in his scouting report how Granson shows good fundamentals when it comes to blocking, with size being his main limitation in that area.
If Granson struggles as a run blocker, his presence on the field could tip the defense that it is a passing play. The upside with Granson is huge, but he will need to add bulk in order to be a consistent contributor in Houston.
Frank Darby, WR, Arizona State
The Texans round out this 2021 7-Round Mock Draft with an upside selection at wide receiver in Frank Darby. He was marginalized in the Arizona State offense behind N’Keal Harry and Brandon Aiyuk. He then lost his opportunity to shine in 2020.
While he lacks burst and top-end speed, his pass-catching ability and toughness make him an intriguing possession receiver prospect. With concerns regarding Brandin Cooks’ concussions, the Texans need to ensure they have potential continuity at the receiver position.
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