Houston Texans: 2016 NFL mock draft

Round 7: USC defensive tackle Antwaun Woods

When the Houston Texans signed former New England Patriots star and five-time Pro Bowler Vince Wilfork to a two-year contract worth $9 million this past offseason, the organization believed it had found the perfect nose tackle to anchor a potentially elite defense.

That experiment has been a complete and utter disaster.

The Texans’ defense has been solid, and downright dominant at times this year. But it has not been a result of Wilfork’s efforts on the football field. Through 13 games this season, the 34-year-old has recorded a mere six solo tackles, down from 24 a year ago.

Barring a miracle, Houston is not going to find a superstar this late in the draft that will become a core member of the 2015 defensive unit. And in the seventh round, teams are not looking for immediate impact players. They are searching for depth, project players and the occasional diamond-in-the-rough.

Antwaun Woods out of USC is not an elite prospect by any means. What he is, however, is an established nose tackle with significant experience at a prestigious program, as well as success against top-notch competition.

Wilfork could very well be out the door in Houston next season. At most, he will be playing more of a mentor role than that of a stalwart on the defensive line.

Christian Covington, a rookie out of Rice University, has looked impressive while cutting into Wilfork’s playing time this season, and is making a strong case as the Texans’ heir apparent at the nose tackle position.

It would be wise for Houston to acquire a young interior lineman like Woods to compliment Covington and provide depth for a front-seven that has the potential to be among the best in the NFL.