Alabama's Bryce Young Headlines Texans Haul In 4-Round NFL.com Mock Draft
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NFL Draft day is inching closer and closer for the Houston Texans.
After numerous meetings, combine analysis’ and scouting reports, the big question of who the franchise will bring in for next season is very much in the air — but there have been speculations about which players are "best fit" for the rebuilding franchise.
And just a month away from the draft, NFL.com's Chad Reuter is the latest to predict who the Texans' newest prospects will be, starting with a familiar face.
Bryce Young — QB, Alabama (Round 1, Pick 2)
If nothing else is certain regarding the 5-10.5 quarterback from Alabama, Young will make an impact on whichever team he lands at.
Throughout his time in college, he has proven his ability to take control of an offense and not only lead them but lead them far.
With 8,000 passing yards, 80 passing touchdowns, a national title, and a Heisman trophy under his belt, there is no secret as to why Young has been highly sought by NFL teams — though there are concerns regarding his size.
Being as short as he is, the QB will need to prove his abilities quicker than most. His game could resemble that of Kyler Murray's — though Young relies more on his pocket presence than his legs, so the X-factor could very well be the offensive line.
Regardless, should the latest Nick Saban-made quarterback get the call from Houston in late April, coaches and fans alike would likely be highly welcoming of the young quarterback, and eager to see what he could bring to the Texans' offense.
Jordan Addison — WR, USC (Round 1, Pick 12)
What better to pair with a No. 1 quarterback than a No. 1 receiver?
In recent roster moves, the Texans have made serious changes to their receiving corps — adding both Robert Woods and Dalton Schultz while trading Brandin Cooks — but the latest could come on night one of the draft with USC receiver Jordan Addison.
In just one year with the Trojans, Addison tallied 59 receptions for 875 yards and eight touchdowns, which was enough to earn him a First-Team All-Pac-12 nod ahead of his draft declaration.
Addison's speed and footwork have generated respect from NFL scouts, though one concern they did have was the effect that "handsy" corners had on his route running.
Though the junior has proven himself at the college level, his talents will need to transfer over to Bobby Slowik's offensive scheme to warrant his high draft placement.
Will McDonald IV — Edge, Iowa State (Round 2, Pick 33)
With what is shaping up to be a completely new look offense, Houston is also looking to add talent on the defensive side of its roster.
Though it appears unlikely that the Texans will add Will Anderson Jr. — a projected fourth overall pick — Reuter does have them adding a different Will.
Will McDonald spent a full five years with the Cyclones, tallying up a total of 34 sacks to top the program's career record, while also finishing top ten in the Big-12 in the category.
His explosiveness was praised by scouts, though his strength raised a few questions about whether or not he could consistently get to the quarterback when facing NFL-caliber offensive lines.
Either way, McDonald would be able to step into his new role under Matt Burke and company, allowing him a chance to see reps in practice ahead of a potential debut.
Luke Wypler — C, Ohio State (Round 3, Pick 65)
Bringing with him two years of starting experience, Wypler has been in big game situations — boding well for the added pressure of NFL matchups.
In his two years with the Buckeyes, Wypler proved his ability to protect the quarterback as a part of an offensive line that served the Big Ten's highest-scoring offense.
The big concern regarding the 21-year-old, however, is his size. Despite an impressive display of quickness and athleticism, whether or not he will be able to protect a quarterback against interior NFL pass rushers like Chris Jones or Aaron Donald will be something to monitor.
A year behind the recently re-signed Scott Quessenberry could do him well in that regard, allowing the young center to train at an NFL level before moving into what could be a starting role for Houston.
Byron Young — Edge, Tennessee (Round 3, Pick 73)
The second Young Reuter has headed to the Texans is a senior from Tennessee.
He stands at 6-3 and weighs about the same as McDonald, with his athleticism earning him nods from NFL scouts.
Last season for the Volunteers, Young led his team in sacks and started all 13 games, proving himself as a leader and an elite defensive talent.
Adding another edge would only further the depth for the Texans at that position, making Young a solid target for Houston.
Garrett Wilson — CB, Syracuse (Round 4, Pick 104)
To round out the NFL.com mock, Reuter projects the Texans to add a third defensive talent in Garrett Wilson.
During his three years with the Orange, Wilson made his presence known on defense. He finished his collegiate career with four interceptions, two sacks and a forced fumble — also registering 151 total tackles.
Wilson would bring a strong poise to the Texans’ secondary, which was the highlight of the defense last season, as he had zero penalties called against him in the last two years.
His ability to make plays on-ball rather than on-man was a reason for concern however but did not take away from his overall level of play that earned him a draft projection.
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