HOUSTON -- The Houston Texans are past rookie minicamp and started OTAs on Monday, where the rookies got their first chance to share the field with the veterans. Houston coach Bill O'Brien says this time is especially valuable for the rookies as it makes a much bigger impact than just learning a playbook.

"When the veterans get here, it's also good to visually see how it's done," O'Brien said during rookie minicamp. "You know, we're running routes right now, that's the first time these guys have seen these routes, whether it's a quarterback, a receiver, a tight end or a back. We're running runs right now that they never heard of, that maybe they never ran. So on Monday, when we're doing these things, they'll be third team or whatever it is -- all those guys -- and they can observe how it's supposed to be done. That goes a long way toward learning."

Here's an early list of how I'd rank the Texans' seven draft picks, based on potential to have an immediate impact.

QB Deshaun Watson: It remains to be seen whether Watson will win the starting quarterback job to open the season, but chances are he'll see some playing time in 2017. Regardless, general manager Rick Smith and O'Brien hope he is the Texans' long-term solution at quarterback and already are impressed with the strides he's made in his first week in Houston.

RB D'Onta Foreman: Smith was happy Foreman was available in the third round. He will compete with last year's backup, Alfred Blue, for the No. 2 job, and the Texans envision him being able to help spell starter Lamar Miller so he does not have to carry the ball as much this season. With the addition of Foreman, a power running back, and undrafted rookie Dare Ogunbowale, the Texans have a crowded running back room.

ILB Zach Cunningham: Cunningham is a little bit of a wild card, but I could see the second-round pick finding a lot of success with the Texans early on. O'Brien said he thinks Cunningham will have an impact on special teams, and I think they will try to get him on the field often. Cunningham said one of his biggest offseason goals is to live in the weight room before the season starts.

DT Carlos Watkins: Watkins became the fourth Texans player out of Clemson, joining last year's fifth-round pick and fellow defensive tackle D.J. Reader. Smith described Watkins as "a guy who makes plays behind the line of scrimmage" and "plays big in big games."

OT Julién Davenport: The Texans like Davenport's skill set, but the fourth-round pick out of Bucknell has areas of his game he needs to develop due to the level of competition he played against, according to Smith. The GM said the Texans are high on Davenport's athletic ability and leadership, and they are confident he can grow into "a pro football player."

DB Treston Decoud: Decoud was in Houston for rookie minicamp but cannot participate in OTAs because Oregon State is on a quarter system and he is not done with the school year. While that is the case for a lot of NFL players, it does hurt him not to have that time in the building. Decoud will compete with the corners for playing time and could also see time at safety.

C Kyle Fuller: On the last day of the draft, O'Brien emphasized that he's a fan of Fuller's versatility. But if there's one position where the Texans might have a little too much depth, it's at center, with 2016 second-round pick Nick Martin, who is returning from a season-long ankle injury, and Greg Mancz, who played very well in his place last year.