NFL Mock Draft 2013: Houston Texans Select…
By Josh Hill
This pick was made by Matthew Johnson of Sport DFW
The Houston Texans select Justin Hunter.
Wideout Andre Johnson needs help. Quarterback Matt Schaub needs another target. Johnson has had injury issues of recent, and when healthy has become less of a downfield threat.
Tennessee’s Justin Hunter adds a little depth to the Texans receiving corps. Hunter is above average height at 6’1. He is lean at 196lbs. and has a deep downfield presence. He will add a threat downfield for the Texans that complement well with their great ground game and possession receivers including Johnson and tight end Owen Daniels.
Scouts have compared him to Roy Williams, but hopefully for Houston he blows past that comparison. Hunter caught 73 balls and hauled in 9 TDs for the Volunteers while racking up over 1,000 yards. With a smart quarterback and a pro system, Hunter will do well in the slot position matching up well against linebackers and safeties because of his speed and size. He should go over the middle well with great ease.
He needs to show consistency with his hands. Focus on the ball and keeping in touch with the system will bode well for Hunter. After an ACL blowout, his 2012 looked hesitant. If Houston can break him of that, Hunter will be a good, versatile receiver.
Here is how the draft currently stands:
1. Kansas City Chiefs — Eric Fisher, offensive tackle, Central Michigan
2. Jacksonville Jaguars — Dion Jordan, defensive end, Oregon
3. Oakland Raiders — Sharrif Floyd, defensive tackle, Florida
4. Philadelphia Eagles — Luke Joeckel, offensive tackle, Texas A&M
5. Detroit Lions — Ezekiel Ansah, defensive end, BYU
6. Cleveland Browns — Dee Milliner, cornerback, Alabama
7. Arizona Cardinals — Lane Johnson, offensive tackle, Oklahoma
8. Buffalo Bills — Chance Warmack, guard, Alabama
9. New York Jets — Jarvis Jones, linebacker, Georgia
10. Tennessee Titans — Jonathan Cooper, guard, North Carolina
11. San Diego Chargers — Star Lotulelei, defensive tackle, Utah
12. Miami Dolphins — Xavier Rhodes, cornerback, Florida State
13. New York Jets (via Tampa Bay) — Tavon Austin, wide receiver, West Virginia
14. Carolina Panthers — Sheldon Richardson, defensive tackle, Missouri
15. New Orleans Saints — Barkevious Mingo, defensive end, LSU
16. St. Louis Rams — Cordarrelle Patterson, wide receiver, Tennessee
17. Pittsburgh Steelers — Tyler Eifert, tight end, Notre Dame
18. Dallas Cowboys — Kenny Vaccaro, safety, Texas
19. New York Giants — Tank Carradine, defensive end, Florida State
20. Chicago Bears — Manti Te’o, linebacker, Notre Dame
21. Cincinnati Bengals — D.J. Fluker, offensive tackle, Alabama
22. St, Louis Rams (via Washington) — Eric Reid, safety, LSU
23. Minnesota Vikings — Arthur Brown, linebacker, Kansas State
24. Indianapolis Colts — Datone Jones, defensive end, UCLA
25. Minnesota Vikings (via Seattle) — Sylvester Williams, defensive tackle, North Carolina
26. Green Bay Packers — Menelik Watson, offensive tackle, Florida State
27. Houston Texans — Justin Hunter, wide receiver, Tennessee