Houston Texans full 2018 NFL mock draft

The Houston Texans may not have a first or second-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, but have eight selections overall. Here is their latest mock draft.

The Houston Texans could have themselves an underrated, but interesting 2018 NFL Draft. While they do not have picks in three of the seven rounds (first, second, fifth), they will have eight selections to make scattered across the other four. The Texans won’t be picking until No. 68 in the third round.

Now why is that? This is because the Texans organization was wheeling and dealing last spring to hopefully revamp its quarterback room. Houston traded their 2018 first-round pick to the Cleveland Browns to move up to No. 12 so they that could draft Deshaun Watson out of Clemson. The Texans’ second-round pick also belongs to the Browns, as they essentially dumped former starting signal caller Brock Osweiler’s salary to Cleveland. Are we sure this doesn’t violate the Stepien Rules or something?

Fortunately, the Texans only have seven needs to address with these seven picks. Frankly, they have already done a marvelous job addressing their biggest offseason need by landing former Arizona Cardinals defensive back Tyrann Mathieu at safety. Houston stands to have a good chance to go from worst-to-first in the tough AFC South this fall. It’s all about staying healthy, especially at the quarterback position.

The Texans’ primary offseason needs heading into free agency were at safety, offensive tackle, and at guard. Secondary needs include a playmaker out on the edge, a defensive linemen and a tight end. Houston could also use a cornerback as well in this draft. Here is the latest 2018 NFL mock draft for the Texans.

*Houston does not have a first or second-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Third Round

It’s not easy to address offensive line woes in the draft, especially at tackle. With the college game giving the NFL fewer and fewer pro-ready prospects, most of these guys are coming in as developmental projects. However, there is a ton to work with Mississippi State Bulldogs tackle Martinis Rankin.

Rankin is 6-foot-4, 308 pounds. He has 33 and 3/4 inch arms and 10 1/8 inch hands. Rankin did 24 reps at 225 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. He will be doing the rest of his stuff at his pro day in Starkville. Rankin may not be a start and play right away player in most systems, but the Texans really need help at tackle. Let’s see if they end up taking him at No. 68 in the top of the third round.

Wait, shouldn’t the Texans already have a stellar defense? Well, yeah, but once again, you can never have too many pass rushers. One guy that could be available to them at No. 80 in the third round would be Kemoko Turay of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.

Turay measured 6-foot-5, 253 pounds at the scouting combine. He played all four years at Rutgers. While the team was in a state of transition, he managed to do just fine for himself. Turay had 96 total tackles (58 solo, 38 assists), 19.0 for a loss of yardage, 14.5 quarterback sacks, four pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and an interception.

The Texans have a compensatory pick at the end of round three at No. 98. Even though they already have stellar defensive linemen like Jadaveon Clowney, Whitney Mercilus and J.J. Watt, again, you can never have too many great defensive players. Virginia Tech Hokies defensive lineman Tim Settle could be the selection here.

Settle is 6-foot-3, 329 pounds. His frame will allow him to be a versatile piece along the Texans defensive line. Playing time might be harder to find out of the gate, but Settle could end up being a suitable in-house replacement for an aging defensive star in Houston. In three years with the Hokies, Settle had 53 total tackles (28 solo, 25 assists), 19.5 for a loss of yardage, 4.0 quarterback sacks and one pass breakup.