Houston Texans NFL Draft Picks: 2018 Round-by-Round Results, Grades
The story of the 2017 Houston Texans can be attributed to the players that were not playing due to injury.
Season–ending injuries to quarterback Deshaun Watson and defensive end J.J. Watt derailed the Texans, as they looked to three-peat in the AFC South but instead finished with a 4–12 record.
There were a few bright spots, namely wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who caught 96 passes for 1,378 yards and 13 touchdowns, while earning first-team AP All-Pro team honors.
A boost to the offensive line and secondary could be key to getting the Texans back to the top of the division.
How will they use their picks in the NFL draft? We’re breaking down every selection below.
Here's the full list of picks the Texans hold in the 2018 draft, which will be updated as each selection is made.
Round 3, Pick 4 (No. 68 overall):
Justin Reid, S, Stanford
Andy Benoit's Grade: B+
There were already two quality safeties aboard with Tyrann Mathieu and Andre Hal, but more teams are playing with three safeties these days. Reid’s presence could lend more flexibility for how Mathieu is deployed. And if Mathieu, who signed a one-year deal, is not retained in 2019, the Texans will have an early jump on replenishing this position.
Round 3, Pick 16 (No. 80 overall):
Martinas Rankin, C, Mississippi State
Andy Benoit's Grade: B+
The Texans HAD to find some offensive tackles to protect the franchise quarterback for whom they traded away this year’s first-round pick last spring. Rankin has a chance to play in Week 1.
Round 3, Pick 34 (No. 98 overall) * compensatory selection:
Jordan Akins, TE, Central Florida
Andy Benoit's Grade:A-
Bill O’Brien and his staff built a splendid, multi-dimensional scheme around Deshaun Watson’s mobility last year, and a flexible tight end can lend valuable dimension to that. How much Akins plays could be determined by how trusted he is as an on-the-move run-blocker.
Round 4, Pick 3 (No. 103 overall): KekeCoutee, WR, Texas Tech
Round 6, Pick 3 (No. 177 overall): Duke Ejiofor, DE, Wake Forest
Round 6, Pick 37 (No. 211 overall * compensatory selection: Jordan Thomas, TE, Mississippi State
Round 6, Pick 40 (No. 214 overall) * compensatory selection: Peter Kalambayi, LB, Stanford
Round 7, Pick 4 (No. 222 overall): Jermaine Kelly, CB, San Jose State
