The Houston Texans don’t have many resources in the 2020 NFL Draft, what with sending a first-rounder to the Miami Dolphins for left tackle Laremy Tunsil. However, it doesn’t take away their need to fill holes in the offseason.
If the Texans use free agency to address defensive tackle, edge rusher, and even running back, then they will have to use the draft to fix their cornerback group and receiving corps.
That is precisely how NFL.com’s Chad Reuter sees the Texans using their first two picks in the draft.
With pick 57 in the second round, the Texans select Florida Gators cornerback C.J. Henderson. The junior is similar to Lonnie Johnson with a 6-1, 202-pound frame. Henderson collected 33 tackles, three for loss, 1.0 sack, and 11 passes defensed in his nine games for the Gators last season. If the Texans go with Henderson, it indicates they want to get bigger at cornerback.
In the third round, where the Texans currently don’t have a pick, Reuter projects the Texans to net a compensatory pick at 102 on the back end of the round. With that selection, the Texans draft South Carolina receiver Bryan Edwards.
If the Texans go with Edwards, it would mean they released receiver Will Fuller and decided to go in another direction. The 6-3, 215-pound wideout caught 71 passes for 816 yards and two touchdowns in his 10 games as a senior with the Gamecocks in 2019. Edwards would be another big target, along with three-time All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Kenny Stills would still be on the roster, and so would receiver Keke Coutee. The Texans’ receiving corps would still have speed with Edwards replacing Fuller.
2020 will be the first draft where coach Bill O’Brien, now fully uncloaked as general manager, has complete control. If the Texans go with cornerback and receiver with their first two selections, then the organization better have addressed other positions in free agency.