The Houston Texans were one of the biggest surprises in the NFL last season, going from last to first in the AFC South.
They've maneuvered this offseason like a team with no intention of giving up their hold on the divisional crown. Their biggest addition was edge rusher Danielle Hunter.
In a new two-round A to Z Sports Mock Draft, the Texans left with two impactful players on both sides of the ball.
Round 2, Pick 42: Payton Wilson, LB, North Carolina State
It seems like a two-man battle for the top LB spot in this year's draft class between North Carolina State's Payton Wilson and Texas A&M's Edgerrin Cooper. What I think helps Wilson stand out between the two is the elite coverage skills he displayed in college and, of course, the show he put on at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine.
The Texans signed LB Azeez Al-Shaair this offseason to man one of the starting LB spots, and I think Wilson would be the perfect compliment. Both would have the athleticism to play the entire field for Houston, and Wilson's ability in coverage would allow Al-Shaair to attack the ball and utilize the instincts he's displayed over the past few seasons. And with the Texans trading out of the first round this year, I think landing the draft's top LB could make sense in terms of positional value.
Round 2, Pick 59: Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida
At the Scouting Combine, head coach DeMeco Ryans let it be known exactly what they want to add to their WR room: "A separator." He even shared more on the topic by, saying they are looking for a player who they can rely on to get open quickly on third down, which is a trait they currently covet. I think multiple players could perfectly fit that explanation, and I thought it was a spot they could target in round one before their trade back with someone like Georiga's Ladd McConkey.
But after trading out of round one, I think they move down a tier of players but still have multiple solid options available to them. One of my favorites is Florida's Ricky Pearsall. If you weren't familiar with Pearsall before this year's Senior Bowl, you certainly left Mobile aware of the talent he possesses. He was a nightmare to cover during the practices he participated in, as he always seemed wide open. And that's the type of route runner Pearsall is and will provide to whatever team drafts him come April. Pairing him with Tank Dell and Nico Collins could create quite the WR trio in Houston for the foreseeable future.
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