2017 – ilb zach cunningham
The Texans selected the former Vanderbilt Commodore in the second round after taking quarterback Deshaun Watson from Clemson in the first round. Cunningham has grown as a quality starter at inside linebacker alongside Pro Bowler Benardrick McKinney. The 6-3, 238-pound linebacker gives the Texans speed at linebacker to go along the run-stuffing talents of McKinney.
What helped the Texans nail their second-round picks at No. 57, even if Swearinger was kind of a bust for staying with the club for just two seasons, was the fact they had a first-round pick. The organization knew they had their star of the draft class and could let the rest of the draft come to them and take the best player available.
Now, with Houston leading off its draft in 2020 late in the second round, there will be a greater emphasis to find the cream of the draft class at No. 57 overall. They were able to do it in 2018 with safety Justin Reid in the third round. Can they do it again?