2015 NFL Draft Grades: Houston Texans

The Houston Texans added some quality pieces and addressed some major team needs in the 2015 NFL Draft.

While it could be argued that the Houston Texans should have drafted a quarterback at some point over the past three days, head coach Bill O’Brien appears to have faith in Ryan Mallett and free agent acquisition Brian Hoyer, as he should. After all, not many people in the NFL community know the pair better than O’Brien, who coached the two quarterbacks as they backed up Tom Brady with the New England Patriots.

With the quarterback position solidified, at least for one more year, the biggest needs for the Texans in the 2015 NFL Draft were finding a receiving threat to replace Andre Johnson, adding a cornerback to sure up a secondary that faces Andrew Luck twice a year and finding an inside linebacker to help take some pressure off of the struggling and injury prone Brian Cushing.

The Texans took care of all three needs during the the first three rounds of the draft, and as a result, were able to add some luxury pieces with their late round picks. Here is a closer look at how Houston’s draft grades out:

First round: No. 16 overall

Kevin Johnson (CB, Wake Forest)

Grade: B

Houston needed to address the cornerback position in this draft, absolutely, but I think pick No. 16 in the first round was a little early to do so. I had Kevin Johnson as the third best corner in the draft, behind Trae Waynes who was taken before him, and the troubled Marcus Peters who went two selections later.

Regardless, Johnson should develop into a very nice defensive back for the Texans, something that the team can always use in a division that features Andrew Luck and two top three overall picks in Marcus Mariota and Blake Bortles. The biggest knock on Johnson is his size, but once you get past his 6-foot, 188 pound frame, he has great technique and can play man-to-man coverage with some of the best receivers in the league.

Also, considering that Jonathan Joseph is a free agent next year, drafting a first round talent at corner is not a bad move by any means.

Second round: No. 43 overall

Benardrick McKinney (ILB, Mississippi State)

Grade: B+

Brian Cushing is a shell of his former self, and the organization had to do something to improve their presence in the middle of the field on defense. Benardrick McKinney should fit that role nicely. Ironically, McKinney is often compared to a young Brian Cucshing, something is a promising sign for any team. Much like Cushing, however, he struggles with agility. Regardless, McKinney is a great value pick that fits a team need.

Third round: No. 70 overall

Jaelen Strong (WR, Arizona State)

Grade: A

The Houston Texans addressed probably the team’s most glaring need at wide receiver, and were able to grab a first round prospect in Jaelen Strong in the third round. The team had to trade three draft picks and receiver DeVier Posey to the New York Jets to be able to move up and draft him, but the pick was an absolute steal for the Texans. Strong’s numbers from the past two seasons were nothing short of impressive, compiling 157 catches for 2,287 yards and 17 touchdowns. He is a big, physical receiver that is NFL-ready and should start opposite of DeAndre Hopkins from Day 1.

Fifth round: No. 175 overall

Keith Mumphery (WR, Michigan State)

Grade: D

I just do not understand this pick one bit. I guess the Texans like his precise route running ability, but he simply does not possess the athleticism to be an NFL receiver. Sometimes players can overcome this with tremendous hands and imposing physicality and size. While Humphrey may have good hands, the latter is simply not there. Standing 6-feet tall and at 215 pounds, he is both too short and too slow to make a real impact at the next level.

Sixth round: 211th overall

Reshard Cliett (OLB, South Florida)

Grade: C+

Reshard Cliett is far from a household name, and he could very well never make a start for the Texans, but I love this pick for them. He is a good looker room guy that was a team captain at South Florida last season, but even more important is the fact that he provides depth to a Houston front seven that desperately needs it. In addition to providing depth at the linebacker position, he is very athletic for his size, and is a very formidable pass rusher that could see some early action as a blitzing outside linebacker on passing downs.

Sixth round: 216th overall

Christian Covington (DT, Rice)

Grade: C+

The Texans add more depth to their injury prone front seven, and in doing so add a nice twist to the story by drafting a local product out of Rice University in defensive tackle Christian Covington. Covington is a wildcard due to a knee injury that plagued his final season in college, but he could be a nice surprise if he is able to stay healthy. While he probably should have stayed in school for his senior season to improve his draft stock, many scouts still had Covington as a fourth or fifth round pick, so he is a good value pick as a sixth-rounder.

Seventh round: 235th overall

Kenny Hilliard (RB, LSU)

Grade: B-

Houston was rumored to be interested in Melvin Gordon for reasons that I cannot understand. They already have one of the top running backs in the league in Arian Foster and a solid backup in Alfred Blue, who emerged as a very viable backup. The Texans were, however, in need of a bruising goal line back, and Kenny Hilliard fits that mold perfectly. He also does not have many miles on his legs, thanks to the running back-by-committee system employed at LSU.

Is he a future starter?

No, but he is a good selection for a seventh round pick, and Hilliard could possibly see some action in short-yardage situations early in his career.

Overall Grade: B+

The Houston Texans may have not had a sexy draft, but they took care of all of their most pressing team needs in the first three rounds, and did not reach for players in doing so. Drafting Jaelen Strong in the third round could end up being one of the biggest steals in the draft, considering he was a potential first round prospect, and his selection makes up for some questionable decisions made in the later rounds.

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