The Houston Texans currently are in a state where they both lack draft capital and top-end talent across the entire roster. With Deshaun Watson’s situation still playing out, the Texans need to address their bevy of needs somehow in this draft. Just how did the Texans’ 2021 NFL Draft picks grade out?
Texans draft picks in 2021
- 67th Overall Selection (R3-P3): Davis Mills, QB, Stanford
- 89th Overall Selection (R4-P26): Nico Collins, WR, Michigan
- 147th Overall Selection (R5-P3): Brevin Jordan, TE, Miami
- 170th Overall Selection (R5-P26, from Jacksonville through L.A. Rams): Garret Wallow, LB, TCU
- 195th Overall Selection (R6-P11, from Jacksonville through L.A. Rams): Roy Lopez, DT, Arizona
Who did the Texans draft on Day 2?
With the 67th pick, the Houston Texans select Stanford quarterback Davis Mills.
Houston Texans grades for 2021 NFL Draft
With no picks until the third round, how did the Texans’ selections grade out?
Davis Mills, QB, Stanford
Mills is a prototypical pocket passer who has some mobility but still lacks high-end traits to extend plays outside of the pocket. That may cap his ceiling, despite his arm talent and beautiful release.
As a pure pocket passer, Mills will have to be cultivated by the Texans carefully, and they will have to take time to develop his whole mental game. Still, Mills is someone who may start this year due to Deshaun Watson’s situation, but Mills is a project through and through.
Grade: C-
Nico Collins, WR, Michigan
The Texans lacked a true second option behind talented deep threat Brandin Cooks. Enter in Nico Collins, who has intriguing possibilities on the outside. Collins is a smooth route runner but does not separate with consistency underneath due to inconsistent sink at the top of his routes. However, it gives them more speed to burn on the boundary. Overall, this is a good value at a position of need.
Grade: B+
Brevin Jordan, TE, Miami
The Texans had to add some degree of weaponry to an underwhelming tight end room, and they stopped the fall of talented Miami tight end Brevin Jordan. Known for his incredible YAC skills, Jordan is far more dynamic than anyone else in the room now, although his testing was disappointing. For this late in the draft, however, Jordan is a great value and could actually play in the 2021 season given what that room has right now.
Grade: A
Garret Wallow, LB, TCU
The Texans come away with an athletic converted safety in Garret Wallow. Wallow is a true difference-maker in coverage and a heady defender. While he still has to improve his hands to stack and shed blocks, Wallow has all the upside to be a potential starter or contributor down the line for the Texans.
Grade: B+
Roy Lopez, DT, Arizona
A former wrestler, Roy Lopez is a guy who has great balance and lateral quickness to be a penetrator on the interior of the line. Lopez lacks consistent pad level and is not a super springy athlete off the line. Regardless, he has the upside to be a penetrator with his quickness and strength.
Grade: B
Houston Texans Overall Grade: B-
The Houston Texans were lucky enough to add some nice value throughout the draft. The Nico Collins, Brevin Jordan, and Garret Wallow picks are rather solid value and fit positions of need for the Texans. However, the Davis Mills’ pick is still puzzling.
They did need a young signal-caller, but they will have to have immense patience with Mills if they believe he is the answer. Roy Lopez could be a solid pick. They have massive problems, but this was not bad for Nick Caserio’s first draft.
Team needs for Houston coming into the NFL Draft
The Texans are a team at the start of a rebuild. Where don’t they have holes?
Cornerback
The Texans are starving for a top-end cornerback. Lonnie Johnson is moving to safety and the coverage was factually porous last season. Cornerback may just be the top need for Houston, even after a frantic offseason trying to fill holes.
Pass Rushers
The Texans lost J.J. Watt this offseason and as such lack both edge rushers and interior defensive line. If the value is right on any front, the Texans have to go out and get some type of pass-rushing help to bolster the defense.
Wide Receiver
The Texans lost the often injured Will Fuller and behind Brandin Cooks do not have anything for their quarterback, whoever that is, to throw the ball to consistently. Another wide receiver could help keep this offense on track to a degree.
Tight End
The Texans tight end room is frankly a black hole. With no true productive receivers and simply question marks, these tight ends do not strike fear in any team. As such, it would be wise to try to get one with upside.
Offensive Line
The Texans lost Nick Martin and while Justin Britt is there, they could use an upgrade at center. Guard could also be a potential need. Luckily, Laremy Tunsil and Tytus Howard seem to have tackle solidified.
Want more 2021 NFL Draft prospect news? Want to do your own mock draft?
Dive into PFN’s Free NFL Mock Draft Simulator and test your own drafting acumen. Continue to visit Pro Football Network for NFL news and in-depth analysis. Also, be sure to follow us on Twitter (@PFN365) to stay in the loop on all things college football and the NFL Draft landscape.