It’s NFL mock draft season, and the takes are flying.
Pundits have the Houston Texans taking anyone from offensive linemen to cornerbacks to wide receivers. With the draft still more than two months away, it’s anyone’s guess. But this new mock draft from ESPN’s Matt Miller has the Texans sticking with the defense and selecting Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry with the No. 23 overall pick.
“Houston can form a rock-star lineup at cornerback with McKinstry lining up opposite Derek Stingley Jr.,” Miller wrote. “McKinstry was a consistent playmaker throughout his college career, snagging two interceptions at Alabama and deterring opposing quarterbacks from targeting his side of the field. He will have to answer questions about his true speed at the combine, but his three years of tape tell me he’s a first-rounder.”
In Miller’s mock, players like Washington offensive lineman Tory Fautanu and Alabama offensive tackle J.C. Latham were available, as well as Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean. Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins was also on the board and didn’t go until the early second round.
Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry is a terrific press-man corner with the tools to be elite in the NFL, a scouting report:
✅ Excellent agility
✅ Smooth transitions with fluid hips
✅ Footwork in press-man
✅ Positioning/route recognition
✅ Physical at the catch point
✅ Good… pic.twitter.com/IheFSo4fE7— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) February 2, 2024
With the No. 59 pick, Miller predicted Houston would draft Miami defensive tackle Leonard Taylor III.
“Here, the Texans can land a replacement for defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins,” Miller wrote. “The Hurricanes’ defense asked Taylor to play primarily nose tackle in 2023, which limited his pass-rush opportunities, but the tape shows the quickness and instincts to be a productive gap player. Taylor has 27 career tackles for loss across 31 games, and his best football is still ahead of him.”
These two picks paint a picture of a scenario which could unfold in the weeks leading up to the NFL draft. If the Texans go defense with their first two picks, it means Houston prioritized offense earlier in the offseason either through free agency or through trades. It also means that major 2023 contributors like Ranks and cornerback Steven Nelson weren’t retained.
McKinstry would be a solid pick, though. He finished with an 88.8 Pro Football Focus grade despite not intercepting a pass this season. McKinstry did, however, forced 18 incompletions. His 6-foot-1 frame and 195-pound frame is ideal for an outside cornerback and he’s incredible experienced after starting since he was a true freshman in 2021.
Taylor proved to be an adept interior pass rusher for the Hurricanes this year. His 19.5% pressure rate in 2022 trailed only Pittsburgh’s Calijah Kancey, who went No. 19 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2023 draft. Taylor only mustered one sack in 2023 but tallied 21 total pressures and 17 quarterback hurries.
There is still a lot of time left between now and the NFL draft and lot can change – especially with free agency on the horizon. But in this mock draft, head coach DeMeco Ryans would get some nice new young defensive players to bolster his team in 2024.