Back again to break down my NFL Mock Draft 5.0, this time from a team-by-team viewpoint. After Mock Draft 4.0 came out in March, I started this series with the Jets, Giants, Lions, Eagles, Jaguars, Dolphins, Bills, and Patriots. Now with just 23 days left until the NFL Draft – I am on a quest to rip through the final 24 teams. Today features the Houston Texans. If you want to see your favorite team next, go to Twitter @CarpentierNFL and leave Cody a comment on what team you want to see broken down next. Below you will find an explanation for each mock draft selection made for the Houston Texans, thanks for tagging along.
NFL Mock Draft 5.0 (Full 4-Rounds)
Cody’s NFL Draft Big Board – Top 300
Reese’s 2022 All-Senior Bowl Team
Houston Texans
No. 3 – Evan Neal – OL – Alabama
The Texans found at least a placeholder in the Round 3 of the 2021 Draft, so at no.3 we see Houston grab their bookend tackle here, Neal joins Laremy Tunsil on the new-look offense that moved on from Deshaun Watson just a few weeks ago.
No. 13 – Jordan Davis – DL – Georgia
The BADDEST man in college football! Jordan Davis weighed in at north over 360lbs during the season and finished in the Top-10 of Heisman voting in 2021. The benefit of trading away a franchise quarterback in Deshaun Watson is reaping the reward with draft picks, and building from within.. the correct way to rebuild a franchise, Evan Neal and Jordan Davis in Round 1 is a smash.
No. 37 – Kyler Gordon – CB – Washington
Discussions of Kyler Gordon going in the Top-15 with teammate Trent McDuffie were slowed over the last week, although they shouldn’t have. Coming into his pro-day, only running the 40 in Indianapolis and coming in with an average time of 4.52, he needed to test well at the Washington Pro Day. And his testing did not disappoint. Jumping an insane 39.5″ in the vertical, 10’08” in the broad jump, and running a 3.96 short shuttle had scouts and evaluators in awe. Gordon may sneak into the back quarter of the 1st round, but if not – look for Houston to take the leap at pick 37.
No. 68 – Isaiah Spiller – RB – Texas A&M
A running back? Really? Really, Cody? Yes, I am afraid the Texans will continue to bolster the backfield and trout out five guys. Wasting a third-round pick on running back in the early part of a rebuild is the worst possible idea. Especially after extending Rex Burkhead and Signing Marlon Mack. But that’s what Houston does here.
Isaiah Spiller Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
Isaiah Spiller‘s profile writes itself and doesn’t need much explanation after finishing with 20-plus receptions, and 1,100 scrimmage yards in each of the three seasons at Texas A&M.
No. 80 – David Bell – WR – Purdue
While evaluators(on Twitter) have pulled back mightily on David Bell, not all NFL scouts have – there is still a conversation of Bell being drafted all the way into the early 2nd round. In this Mock Draft 5.0 however, I have Bell going in the middle of the 3rd round. Bell profiles just as a Keenen Allen/Anquan Boldin – guys that came in as sub-athletes but have the ability to win early and often across the middle of the field. Bell does not pose the alpha threat that Boldin did as a rookie but as an overall prospect, he finished with 29 games played and 2,946 receiving yards, good for 100 yards per game in the Big Ten. Along with a 94th-percentile Breakout Age and 86th-percentile College Target Share, it’s easy to see why NFL evaluators love David Bell.
No. 107 – Nik Bonitto – EDGE – Oklahoma
Depth along the defensive line, and we’re pairing Nik Bonitto with Jordan Davis from Round 1. Bonitto lead the Oklahoma Sooners with 15.0 tackles for loss and 7 sacks in 2021, while Winfrey was second with 11.0 tackles for loss. Houston finished No. 28 in sacks (32) in 2021, and No. 30 in pressures (124). With Maliek Collins departing in free agency, look for Houston to use multiple drafts picks along the front seven in 2022.
No. 108 – Amare Barno – EDGE – Virginia Tech
The Houston Texans need a lot of help on defense, and what better way to cure it than taking the Biggest defender in the draft at pick 13 with Jordan Davis, and running it back in Round 4 with back-to-back speed edge rushers. Bonitto and Amare Barno are both a tad on the small side, but what they lack in size they make up for in Speed and Elusiveness. Barno finished two seasons at Virginia Tech with 21.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. While Bonitto gathered 26.5 tackles for loss and 16 sacks over that same stretch.
Positive Thoughts for 2022?
Good Luck, Davis Mills.
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