Before we head down to Mobile for Senior Bowl week, I thought I'd put together some quick thoughts on players I'm most interested seeing this week and whether they'll be a fit for the Texans in any way, shape or form. Here are 30 players to watch and MY assessment on the interest the Texans may have for each player on a scale from 1-10.
QB Dak Prescott, Mississippi State - most will say he's only a running quarterback, but I'm so over that, especially with the progress he made this year throwing the ball. He went from 61% completion to 66.2%. He went from 27 and 11 TD to INT ratio to 29 and 5. You don't want him? I'll take him.
Interest for the Texans - 8.7
QB Carson Wentz, North Dakota State - the offensive flavor of the month will be coached by the Cowboys, a team that is interested in a quarterback, potentially. That doesn't matter, he's the size of Cam Newton and throws it deep with touch.
Interest for the Texans - 9.4
WR Braxton Miller, Ohio State - he was a former quarterback who transitioned over to a RB/WR hybrid for his senior season. He has ridiculous open field quicks/moves and is just learning how to be an inside receiver...or a running back. Either way, it's clear, he's dynamic in the open field.
Interest for the Texans - 8.1
S Miles Killebrew, Southern Utah - Who? It's okay, those in the scouting community know all about Killebrew (and his SUU teammates Leshaun Sims and James Cowser). He's a hybrid OLB/S size wise and a tremendous open field tackler.
Interest for the Texans - 6.8
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RB Kenneth Dixon, La. Tech** - LOVE watching this guy tote the rock, even though he's got some tread on the tires with four years of carries under his belt. Regardless, he runs like his hair's on fire and can catch the stone out of the backfield.
Interest for the Texans - 7.8
OG Josh Garnett, Stanford - Road. Grader. This guy will mash in the run game and I love him for that and that alone.
Interest for the Texans - 7.1 (higher if the Texans don't/can't re-sign Brandon Brooks)
OC Nick Martin, Notre Dame - There are three centers, in particular, I really like in this draft class and it's a deep crop at this position. Martin's one of the them, the brother of Zack, the All-Pro guard now in Dallas.
Interest for the Texans - 7.0 (higher if the Texans don't/can't re-sign Ben Jones)
TE Nick Vannett, Ohio State - He's built like a Y-TE, but has the athleticism to play unattached and also at FB. He didn't get a ton of targets at OSU, but with a good week, he may propel himself up the tight end draft board.
Interest for the Texans - 7.8
WR Leonte Carroo, Rutgers - He has the size of an outside receiver, but I think he may be served well to play inside going forward. But, the inside/outside dichotomy works to his advantage and will help him this week in Mobile.
Interest for the Texans - 7.2
WR Tajae Sharpe, UMass - He got a late invite to the Senior Bowl after a tremendous week at the Shrine Bowl. Small, tiny hands, but when the ball's in his area, he's going to go get it. I didn't see him drop too many passes over the past two years with those tiny hands either.
Interest for the Texans - 7.0
DE/DT Sheldon Day, Notre Dame - He strikes me as a perfect fit in a 4-3, but there are too many good traits, versatile ones too, working in his favor to not consider him, especially with potential free agent losses at his position.
Interest for the Texans - 6.5 (higher if the Texans don't/can't re-sign Jared Crick)
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DT/NT Austin Johnson, Penn State** - The size of a nose tackle but the versatility to play up and down the line of scrimmage. A former Bill O'Brien recruit at Penn State is more than likely a top 50 pick, but, again, with potential need in the DL, he's worth watching.
Interest for the Texans - 6.4
CB/RET Cyrus Jones, Alabama - The Texans secondary doesn't need a ton of revamping, but the return game does and Jones is one of the best return men in the nation.
Interest for the Texans...as a DB - 4.5
Interest for the Texans...as a special team star and returner - 8.1
RB Kenyan Drake, Alabama - He. Can. Fly. He can also catch the ball out of the backfield, which gives him multi-use dimension value which will play very well in Houston.
Interest for the Texans - 6.7
RB Jonathan Williams, Arkansas - I'm intrigued to see how he performs, if at all, after missing the entire 2015 season due to injury. When healthy, he's powerfully smooth running the football, if that's possible.
Interest for the Texans - 7.0
RB DeAndre Washington, Texas Tech - Quick as a hiccup, he's similar to Akeem Hunt with what he brings to the table. He was the only Tech player (not named Jakeem Grant) to honestly match LSU's speed in the Texas Bowl back in December. That's saying something.
Interest for the Texans - 6.1
OG/OT Cody Whitehair, Kansas State - He played tackle for Kansas State the past few years, but many feel guard is a better fit. That said, he reminds me a bit of Dallas Cowboys former tackle in college, turned guard in the NFL, Zack Martin.
Interest for the Texans - 6.5
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OLB/S Eric Striker, Oklahoma** - He's small. He has no real position. And, I don't care. He can play and rush the quarterback.
Interest for the Texans - 5.1
OC Graham Glasgow, Michigan - Another player who starred during the week at the Shrine Game, Glasgow will travel to Mobile with a ton of confidence and momentum. He has a whale of a story as to how he got past some off the field issues at Michigan, but he's a tough, grinder type at center on the field too.
Interest for the Texans - 6.4
OT/OG Le'Raven Clark, Texas Tech - Some scouts want to see him at guard eventually, but I just think his body type is made for him to stay at tackle. He had moments in college where he stoned the best rushers in the Big 12. Repeatedly. That said, he didn't have a great Texas Bowl and this week is an opportunity to curry back some of the interest in the NFL scouts that may have soured a bit due to that performance.
Interest for the Texans - 6.0
OG Sebastian Tretola, Arkansas - Ohhhhh, mannn, this guy is a hammer at the point of attack. He'll have to succeed this week in 1-on-1 pass rush drills to show he's an able pass protector. If he does, look out.
Interest for the Texans - 6.9
OG/OT Vadal Alexander, LSU - I'm more a fan of others on this list but that might be because Alexander played left tackle in 2015. He's a guard and should get the chance, ala La'el Collins, to prove that to be true.
Interest for the Texans - 6.3
OC Evan Boehm, Missouri - The former Tiger four year starter is one of my top three centers. I talked to him at SEC Media Days last year and know that his personality and play would be a good fit in a place we know well.
Interest for the Texans - 7.0
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WR Paul McRoberts, SEMO** - This dude catches everything thrown his way. Simply put. If you haven't heard of him or seen him, make sure you turn your eyes to him when he's catching the football.
Interest for the Texans - 6.8
DE Jarran Reed, Alabama - He'll be off the board by the time the Texans select at No. 22, I'd imagine. But, trying to move him is like blocking a tree stump.
Interest for the Texans - 8.0
WR/RET. K.J. Maye, Minnesota - The Mobile, AL native returns home to show off for the home folks and he should shine in 1-on-1 situations against the defensive backs. Guys like Tyler Lockett and Jamison Crowder, players to which Maye is similar, lit it up last year and got plenty of NFL scouts' attention.
Interest for the Texans - 6.6
WR Sterling Shepard, Oklahoma - If there's a player that would be an eventual perfect fit, playing inside receiver for the Texans, it's the former Sooner legacy. I'm a huge fan.
Interest for the Texans - 7.7
TE Jake McGee, Florida - He transferred from Virginia and has an intriguing skill set. At 6-6, 250 lb., he's an ath-o-lete. As a pass catcher, he was truly Florida's go-to guy and tied for the team lead in touchdowns.
Interest for the Texans - 7.1
OC Jack Allen, Michigan State - A former high school wrestler, Allen understands leverage, but he has weight issues. As in, he's a bit light and could check in under 300 lbs. That could work against him and his draft stock.
Interest for the Texans - 5.6
OT Cole Toner, Harvard - He's an Ivy Leaguer. That's why.
Interest for the Texans - 4.1
