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The Houston Texans have been very active in the trade market, making moves for Joe Mixon and Stefon Diggs, as well as the free agency market, where they signed Danielle Hunter and a lot of other really good players. They are now considered Super Bowl contenders in the AFC behind Kansas City Chiefs, but, still have some holes to fill.
They can do that through the draft, and they will. However, it won't be in the first round, as they traded that pick away to the Minnesota Vikings. They do, though, have nine draft picks in total after the Stefon Diggs trade and could package them to move up at some point in the draft.
But, for now, we have to assume the Texans will operate and start their draft with the 42 pick in the draft. Now that wide receiver is off of the list of needs with the Diggs trade, they can target one of the more elite prospects in the draft, even in the second round. And it's one of their biggest needs. It would appear they have already shown an interest as well.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Houston Texans have a top 30 visit scheduled with top linebacker prospect Edgerrin Cooper, from Texas A&M. The Texans lost Blake Cashman to the Minnesota Vikings this offseason, and currently have one competent starter at the position in Christian Harris.
Pre-draft visits:
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 4, 2024
-- Penn St DE Chop Robinson is visiting the #Giants today and #Jets tomorrow.
-- #TAMU LB Edgerrin Cooper is visiting the #Chargers today after visiting the #Texans and #Cowboys.
-- Western Kentucky WR Malachi Corley was at the #Browns yesterday, #Ravens today.
On A to Z Sports' Big Board, Edgerrin Cooper is our 34th overall prospect, the number one overall linebacker, but is projected to be drafted in the early or middle of the second round. Linebackers usually are not taken very high in the draft. Here are some of the strengths and weaknesses Cooper has:
STRENGTHS
- Long arms, with the frame to add more mass
- Outstanding range to chase down ballcarriers & flow sideline-to-sideline
- Quick response time & diagnosis of run concepts
- Scrapes with efficient movements & square pads
- Sophisticated hand usage to play off of blocks & maneuver through traffic
- Led FBS LBs with 10 sacks in 2023
- Weapon as a QB Spy. GPS target location & elite closing burst
- Can carry seam routes step-for-step in Tampa 2
- Immediate screen recognition & explosive trigger downhill
WEAKNESSES
- Slender frame, needs to add weight
- Lacks sturdy base to anchor when he doesn't establish early contact
- Had very basic coverage responsibilities at Texas A&M
- Wasn't asked to play man coverage
- Needs to be more proactive squeezing routes in zone coverage
- 32 career missed tackles
- Very stiff breaking down in open space
- Poor change of direction skills to adjust pursuit angles
Cooper plays with the same style and passion we saw DeMeco Ryans play with when he was with the Texans. Cooper would fit in perfectly with the swarm culture.
More must-reads:
- Chargers add another target for QB Justin Herbert
- Cowboys QB Dak Prescott provides significant update on contract negotiations
- The 'AP First-Team All-Pro tight ends' quiz
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