Houston Texans NFL Draft Picks: 2019 Round-by-Round Results, Grades
After surrendering its 2018 first rounder in the Deshaun Watson draft-day trade in 2017, the Texans are back in the first round.
Houston holds the No. 23 pick in the 2019 draft after winning the AFC South last year at 11–5. The Texans lost to the Colts in the AFC Wild Card.
How will the Texans use their picks in this year's NFL draft? We’re breaking down every selection below.
Here's the full list of picks the Texans hold in the 2019 draft, which will be updated as each selection is made.
Round 1, Pick 23 (No. 23 overall):
Tytus Howard, OT, Alabama State
Andy Benoit's grade: B-
The Eagles leapfrogged the tackle-needy Texans to take developmental blocker Andre Dillard, so Houston took the next most enticing development project in Howard. Scouts believe Howard, who will make the transition from Alabama State to the NFL, will need help with his technique. It’s a little surprising the Texans would invest in a project given that bigger school players like Jawaan Taylor and Cody Ford were still on the board. After all, the Texans are a playoff-caliber club and Deshaun Watson, who took far more hits than an NFL QB should, needs protection NOW. But obviously the Texans looked closely at all the tackles in this year’s draft. Howard, who could play on the right side (across from where most of the league’s best defensive ends reside), was the man they chose.
Round 2, Pick 22 (No. 54 overall): Lonnie Johnson, CB, Kentucky
Andy Benoit's grade: C+
Houston’s deficiencies in outside coverage were costly in the playoff loss to Indianapolis. Johnson is a long-bodied raw talent who will often be asked to play to safety help, which sounds liberating but can be challenging depending on the offensive design. If he doesn’t pick things up quickly, he’s still of value, since corners Bradley Roby and Johnathan Joseph are in contract years. Also, Aaron Colvin is under contract for three more years but can be cut for $6.75M savings after next season, which means Houston could lose all three starting corners next offseason.
Round 2, Pick 23 (No. 55 overall): Max Scharping, T, Northern Illinois
Andy Benoit's grade: B-
From Houston’s side of things, the analysis for first-round pick Tytus Howard can essentially be applied here, with the additional note that the Texans now have an insurance policy at a position of dire need. Both men will make the roster (obviously), the question is how soon can both start?
Round 3, Pick 22 (No. 86 overall): Kahale Warring, TE, San Diego State
Andy Benoit's grade: C-
Warring is a freakish, high-upside, under-the-radar prospect for a Texans team that drafted two tight ends last year—Jordan Akins and Jordan Thomas—and found distinct roles for both of them. With Ryan Griffin in a contract year, the team appears to be looking for insurance and long-term options.
Round 5, Pick 23 (No. 161 overall): Charles Omenihu, DE, Texas
Round 6, Pick 22 (No. 195 overall): Xavier Crawford, CB, Central Michigan
Round 7, Pick 6 (No. 220 overall): Cullen Gillaspia, FB, Texas A&M
See every NFL team's 2019 picks by clicking the links below.
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