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2019 NFL Draft: Houston Texans: 7-round mock

By Joe Romano

FOXBOROUGH, MA - SEPTEMBER 09: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans runs with the ball as Malcom Brown #90 of the New England Patriots attempts to tackle him during the second half at Gillette Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - SEPTEMBER 09: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans runs with the ball as Malcom Brown #90 of the New England Patriots attempts to tackle him during the second half at Gillette Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 07: Damien Harris #34 of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs the ball during the first quarter against the Clemson Tigersin the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi’s Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 07: Damien Harris #34 of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs the ball during the first quarter against the Clemson Tigersin the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi’s Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Round 3 -Pick 86

Damien Harris, RB, Alabama

Houston was able to address three major needs with their first three picks. With their fourth pick in the top-100 selections, this talented roster lends itself to a best player type scenario. Instead of just locking into positions, Houston could use this pick to find an eventual replacement for starting running back Lamar Miller.

The 28-year-old back is still a solid starter but not the elite athlete he used to be. His back-up Alfred Blue is a pending free agent. The Texans tried to draft a compliment to Miller in D’Onta Foreman but he has yet to get going in the NFL and suffered an Achilles tear already in his young career.

Alabama’s Damien Harris is becoming a forgotten man in this draft class. His teammate Josh Jacobs is going to be the first running back taken despite being outproduced significantly by Harris. This is a deep class of runners and the Texans could find a contributor with this pick.

Harris is a four year contributor at Alabama, that is saying something for a team that produced the players that Alabama’s backfield has in recent years. He is the type of back that every coach would love to have. He is not afraid to mix his nose in pass protection and it is a strength of his game. Speaking of strength, Harris may be the best short-yardage back in the draft. He’s always getting positive yards and can find slivers in space due to his experience in pro-style offenses.

Harris may not be a burner but for a backfield with Miller in place, he’s a great compliment. This is the type of low-bust rate pick Houston could make to help Watson and the entire offense.

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