Mock Draft, Picks #1-66 and Who Could Be Left at #67

Check out the Harris 100 to learn about my top 100 draft prospects.

I don't go many places nowadays, but when I do, one of the first questions I get is…

"So, who are the Texans going to pick in the draft?"

Now, that question has been coming my way for about 20 years and I don't mind it at all. That said, the answer is typically an easier one in a year when the Texans are picking well before No. 67, third pick in the third round. The last time the Texans picked late like this, they hit a home run with safety Justin Reid. In 2018, I had Justin at No. 44 in the Harris 100 so I didn't see him being available when the Texans selected him but I'm so glad other teams screwed up and let him fall into our laps.

As such, the questions still come my way, so I figured, let's try to narrow this down a little bit and give readers/followers a two for one.

• A full two round mock draft...and a couple of picks in the third round too
• Options at every position from my Harris 100 that could be available at No. 67

Let's handle the hard part, so to speak. Here's my two round (and first two picks of the third) mock draft as the order sits today.

Round 1

Round 2

Round 3

Okay, part two, let's now get to the exciting part of what prospects remain on the board at this point that could be under consideration for the Texans at pick No. 67.

Quarterback
Harris 100 Prospects:

I don't see this pick being a quarterback for a number of reasons so we'll move on.

Running Back
Harris 100 Prospects:

I've said this a million times on radio and written it even more, it seems, I LOVE this group of running backs in the NFL Draft. I've seen and read so many different scribes/analysts/talking heads who don't but I really like it, especially for its diversity. Weapon X types. Three down options. Big backs. Shorter, powerful Clyde Edwards-Helaire types. All over the map, really. That said, this offseason, the Texans re-signed David Johnson, Buddy Howell, Dontrell Hilliard and Scottie Phillips, signed Mark Ingram II and picked up Phillip Lindsay, as well. That's a crowded room for sure, although it doesn't mean someone isn't going to be added in the draft/UDFA process at some point. Alas, I just don't think it's going to be at No. 67, so we'll move on.

Wide Receiver
Harris 100 Prospects:

The 2021 receiver class is stacked with options and Wallace and Williams are two of my favorites. That said, I feel like the Texans can find value in later rounds, potentially with guys like Dez Fitzpatrick (Louisville), Jalen Camp (Georgia Tech) and Sage Surratt (Wake Forest). Not to mention, the Texans added FIVE receivers in the free agent process. All signs seemingly point to addressing more glaring needs at pick No. 67.

Slot/Weapon X
Harris 100 Prospects:

Like the running backs, I really, REALLY love this group of receivers, especially the guys that can do the things that this trio does from the slot. As I mentioned above, though, the receiver room is full, even more so with a TON of guys that can work from the slot. Brandin Cooks, Keke Coutee, Randall Cobb, Alex Erickson and Chris Moore could all survive, and win, in the slot, if needed. If the Texans do look for a receiver at No. 67, I could see an X-receiver type with some size as noted above but it's not seemingly likely.

Tight End
Harris 100 Prospects:

The tight end group is seemingly stocked as of now (Akins, Izzo, Brown, Quessenberry and Warring), but Tremble is a tone setter in the run game with the ability to be a pass receiving threat all over the field. He's tantalizing at No. 67 for that, and many other reasons.

Offensive Tackle
Harris 100 Prospects:

With Laremy Tunsil, Marcus Cannon, Tytus Howard and a 2020 fourth round pick Charlie Heck on campus, if you will, I wouldn't imagine selecting a tackle at No. 67 is in the cards, so to speak. So, we'll continue to move on.

Interior Offensive Linemen
Harris 100 Prospects:

I LOVED seeing Brown weigh at 344-lb at his Pro Day, down from 365 at the Senior Bowl. That's his playing weight and it should be going forward. With his underrated feet and power, Brown could be real attractive for the Texans if they're eyeing interior offensive linemen in this draft. Myers is more "technician with some heavy hands and some power" than he is a true athletic specimen. Furthermore, he's probably a true center, but he's talented enough to warrant consideration at his natural position.

Defensive Lineman - 3-technique types
Harris 100 Prospects:

I'm much higher on this group than many are because I don't mind that none of these guys fits into a nice, clean box, if you will. Togiai isn't the world's best pass rusher. Osa is a tad small. Twyman opted out of 2020 and has some definite pass rush work to do. Williams is the rawest of the raw. However, Togiai and Twyman are strong as oxen. Odighizuwa is a leverage monster and Williams might have the most athletic upside of the four. Any of the four make sense for a Texans interior that still needs reinforcements even after adding Maliek Collins, Vincent Taylor and re-signing P.J. Hall.

Defensive Linemen - two gappers
Harris 100 Prospect:

I might be the only one on the Day two train for Brown III, but I feel strongly about 325-lb athletes that move like he can. There's going to be plenty of regret for teams that pass on him down the road. Now, I can absolutely see him in the 3-technique category as well, but his size will have plenty of teams thinking of him playing a shade or a zero technique for his career. Due to COVID, Shelvin opted out of the 2020 season so he really only has one year of quality tape. Luckily for him, he left a strong impression in 2019 with his ability to two gap and play staunchly over the nose of any center.

Defensive Ends
Harris 100 Prospects:

LOOOOOOONG. These two guys can stand with their fingertips touching and cover about 20 yards...or so it seems. It's a shame that Odeyingbo was injured (torn achilles) in his draft prep because he was going to be a high second round pick for sure. Turner's stock took a major jump in the 2020 season and his physical attributes are tailor made for any 4-3 defense. These two can both rush inside, if necessary, as well.

Stack Linebacker
Harris 100 Prospects:

This is where some excellent value really is, even though all three are ranked in the 80s. I love this trio and if any of these names are called at 67, I'm going to be excited. Moses wasn't nearly as explosive and productive as I expected in 2020, but he somehow played through a meniscus issue to help lead Alabama to a championship. Werner caught my eye in 2019 as he was tasked with covering Penn State's uber-TE Pat Freiermuth one-on-one throughout the entire game. He's incredibly athletic (39 1/2-inch vertical, 4.58 40-yd. dash) and versatile (and yes, he's GOOD at a lot of different things). Surratt is instinctive (a former starting college quarterback) and explosive to the football from an inside or stack linebacker position.

Safety
Harris 100 Prospects:

Johnson is an interesting prospect because he's a ballhawk who isn't always the surest tackler. In most situations, I would pass on poor tackling safeties; however, this secondary needs playmakers and ballhawking dudes in the WORST way. The safeties accounted for ZERO interceptions in 2020. Z-E-R-O. Johnson should help that immediately. Hufanga is a guy I love even though he's an old school strong safety type. He probably turns into a safety/sub-linebacker hybrid in the NFL but HE'S the tackling machine that I typically love.

Cornerback
Harris 100 Prospects:

The size, speed and gifted athleticism are all present for these three remaining in the Harris 100 but they're listed beyond 67 for a few reasons. Robinson is a true nickel or a perimeter zone corner, not the lockdown perimeter corner teams crave. Melifonwu might eventually be a safety. Adebo really hasn't played in a couple of seasons and he's three years removed from playing extremely well back in 2018. However, in the third round, there's a definite case to be made for corners with size and the ability to play physically in the defensive backfield.

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