NFL Draft 2019: Houston Texans full NFL mock draft

Round 5 – Pick 161

Terry Beckner, DL, Missouri

Houston might not need a ton of help along the defensive line  but they lack depth there. It is a position that they could smartly target in the later rounds. Missouri’s Terry Beckner was a stable force along the Tigers defensive line. He gave some SEC lineman trouble with his play as a disruptive force that lived in the backfield.

The combine did him no favors but his game is not predicated on athleticism. He’s a big powerful defensive lineman who can stand up blocks and hold the point of attack. Beckner needs to work on playing more balanced and reading keys. Too often he was running himself out of plays by being overly aggressive. If he checks out medically he can be a nice supplemental piece on the Houston odd front as a 5 technique on run downs.

Round 6 – Pick 195

Tommy Sweeney, TE, Boston College

The tight end position in Houston is a weird place. They currently have five on their roster including the recently signed Darren Fells. Last year they spent a late round pick on an old rookie in Jordan Akins. They’d be wise to do the same but the opposite type of tight end. Akins is an athlete and more of a move tight end. Boston College’s Tommy Sweeney is more of a traditional tight end and can operate in line as a blocker on all three downs.

Sweeney is not the seam busting tight end that can help the passing attack. Instead he is a strong run blocker and a tight end that can find holes in the middle of the defense and give the quarterback a big target to keep the offense moving. He’s a solid option late in the draft that can help an offense.

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Round 7 – Pick 220

Iman Lewis-Marshall, CB, USC

Given the state of their secondary a year ago it is no surprise to see Houston prioritize the position in free agency. That may push their need to draft a corner down the ball. It is still a position they can address to find a diamond in the rough. In the last round USC’s Iman Lewis-Marshall may be just that.

One of the better cover corners in the PAC 12 all season, Lewis-Marshall is not getting a lot of love in the draft. He’s a short arm corner despite being over 6-feet tall, which could explain it. He’s also a bit tight in the hips and not able to carry receivers on the outside up the field. His athletic testing was solid enough that he should get drafted. Lewis-Marshall is not a long-term starter but could help a team as a sub-package player and grow into a bigger role.