Houston Texans mock draft: Complete 7-round edition

The Houston Texans own two selections in the fifth round, and it would not be surprising for them continue to add depth on each side of the ball with these picks.

As mentioned earlier, the departure of center Ben Jones creates a void in the middle of the offensive line. The recently signed Tony Bergstrom will compete with second-year undrafted free agent Greg Mancz for the starting job, but there is uncertainty surrounding the ability of either to become a viable long-term option at the position.

In the fifth round, teams are typically not banking on players to step in and become a starter from Day One. What they are looking for, though, is potential, something that USC’s Max Tuerk has plenty of.

Tuerk’s draft stock has taken a hit for some concerning reasons, including a knee injury last season and a body mass that is considered below what teams look for in a starting NFL center. But his athleticism and long arms make him an appealing option for teams looking for a low-risk, high-reward talent in the mid-to-late rounds.

In addition to his upside, Tuerk’s ability to produce at a high level during his college career should entice NFL front offices. The 6-foot-5, 298-pound center earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors as a junior in 2014 and was shooting up draft boards prior to his injury.

Next: Round 5, pick No. 2