2018 NFL Draft: Houston Texans 7-round mock

Round 3 – Pick 98

Armani Watts, S, Texas A&M

This draft should be about two things for the Texans, protecting Deshaun Watson and improving the secondary. The first two picks represent that and this one is no different.

In back-to-back years the Texas A&M Aggies have one of the best safeties in the draft. Last year it was Justin Evans and this year it is Armani Watts. Houston would be wise to keep him inside the state of Texas and add to the back end of their defense.

Watts is an ideal free safety in the NFL. He has great coverage instincts and ability to play as the last line of defense. NFL teams want athletes back there to make plays and Watts is certainly that. He gives Houston a playmaker in the back end who has showed a ball-hawk ability in college. As a four year player at Texas A&M he also brings a ton of experience to what could be an inexperience secondary next season.

There are concerns of his size at 5-foot-11 and 205 pounds, especially given a bit of an injury history in college. Those injuries and size concerns are lessened a bit with how he will play at the next level. Others note effort and tackling as Watts weaknesses. Those two traits could determine whether he develops into a high end starter or flames out.

Houston’s current safety pairing Andre Hal and Marcus Gilchrist are not a terrible pair but neither are the athlete that Watts is. The team should be addressing all defensive back positions, and a player that could sneak into the round two conversation, available at the end of round three is great value.