We haven't even had the Combine yet, never mind a Pro Day. But Nick Caserio demanded I come up with this.
[Full disclosure, it was actually my editor. The only thing Caserio might ask me for help on is doing the P.A. for his daughter's softball game]
Here we go…
Round 1 Kadyn Proctor G-T Alabama
Is he a guard or a tackle? The answer is yes. I met him while I MC'd the Lombardi awards. He'll be a great interview – which is super important to me. But seriously folks, Trent Brown and Ed Ingram are free agents-to-be. And you're asking me to draft in February, so I'm taking this guy.
Round 2 Emmanuel Pregnon G Oregon
His last name sounds like a product you might pick up at your local pharmacy. But that's not important. What is important is that you're adding more high profile beef to a unit that's looking to take a big step forward. The next pick might help the cause as well.
Round 2 Jadarian Price, RB Notre Dame
Some will say it's too early, I say go get the players you want. Besides, when the draft really goes down, Caserio would have made two trades by now. Jeremiyah Love got the big headlines in South Bend. But Price is going to make someone very happy.
Round 3 Dillon Thieneman S Oregon
He's tackling machine who can help out as depth or competition for Jaylen Reed. M.J. Stewart is a free agent and the Texans need a couple of options here. He could certainly help a team on the back end right away. Oregon plays in the Big Ten where…wait, Oregon's in the Big Ten? I keep forgetting.
Round 4 Domonique Orange DT Iowa State
The Texans make recent franchise history by drafting an Iowa State player who's not a receiver. I will undoubtedly say something silly after he makes a big play like "Orange you glad he's in the line-up?"
Round 4 Mason Reiger DE Wisconsin
Reiger went to the Sr. Bowl and looked good (I haven't even asked John Harris about him yet but I will). He had five sacks last year. Look, we all know who runs things at DE on this team but there's still a rotation and there might be a job opening.
Round 5 Deven Eastern DT Minnesota
Tae Ersery's former teammate becomes a current teammate again after the Texans nab him in an effort to build more depth in the defensive interior. You'd think at least one of the free agent DTs will be back but Caserio likes that youth-vet combo to present the coaches with plenty of options. He's a Minny native, so give him a couple of years to get used to the heat.
Round 7 Reggie Virgil WR Texas Tech
It's round 7 and Caserio notices we haven't drafted anyone from a Texas school yet. Plus, he traded his other 7th to move up a little higher (so I don't have to make a ninth pick). Virgil was at Miami of Ohio before making his way to Lubbock and showing out. He had some nice moments at the Sr. Bowl and could be gone by this round. But in the VanderMock, anything is possible.
