The Houston Texans dealing the No. 13 overall pick has become an interesting concept that has piqued the interest of draft prognosticators.
Count Peter King from NBC Sports as another member of the football world who sees plausibility in the idea. However, King has an interesting twist to the move. Instead of pulling off a trade with the New Orleans Saints to move back, Houston deals with Seattle to move up to take Ohio State receiver Garrett Wilson.
And so here comes the run on receivers. Houston leapfrogs the Jets to get the franchise receiver for Davis Mills (who has a chance this year to win this job) or whoever the Texans pick next year to be the franchise passer. There’s a lot of love for Wilson in the league, even though he never led Ohio State in receiving in any of his three years and he’s a lean (6-0, 183) receiver who probably won’t play much heavier. He played the slot in 2020 and outside last year, so teams have plenty of tape to see him play all over the field in different offenses. Team like his ability to get open and to make things happen after the catch.
I look at Houston’s draft this way. Post-Watson, the Texans need some franchise players. If they come out of this draft with a long-term left tackle and a top receiver who can be counted on for the next five to eight years, it’s a profitable draft. Plus: GM Nick Caserio has the 37th overall pick, and he could use that on a second-level cornerback (Washington’s Kyler Gordon?) to attack another need area.
The Texans give up their No. 13 overall pick along with their No. 68 overall selection (Round 3) to the Seahawks for the bid to upgrade their receiving corps.
Seattle then uses Houston’s pick to take Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux.
At No. 3 overall, the Texans take NC State guard-tackle Ikem Ekwonu. With a Round 1 haul that includes beefing up the offensive line and providing firepower in the passing game, such moves would indicate a belief in Davis Mills going forward. GM Nick Caserio would have to use the rest of the draft to add necessary pieces to new coach Lovie Smith’s defense.
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