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          NFL Nation

          Houston Texans NFL draft picks 2021 -- Analysis for every selection

          • Sarah Barshop, ESPN Staff WriterMay 1, 2021, 08:30 PM
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              Sarah Barshop covers the Los Angeles Rams for ESPN. She joined ESPN in 2016 to cover the Green Bay Packers for ESPN Milwaukee. She then moved to Houston to cover the Texans. She came to ESPN after working as a writer and editor for Sports Illustrated. You can follow her on Twitter @sarahbarshop.
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          The 2021 NFL draft was held April 29 through May 1, and every Houston Texans draft pick has been analyzed here.

          After last season's virtual draft, Cleveland played host to the festivities this year with a handful of potential draft picks present and socially distanced because of COVID-19.

          Here's a pick-by-pick look at how each player Houston has selected will fit.

          Analysis of every NFL pick | Updated NFL depth charts

          Round 3, No. 67 overall: Davis Mills, QB, Stanford

          My take: Given the uncertainty around the quarterback position in Houston, it made sense for the Texans to invest in a player they feel they could develop at the position. Yes, more will be known about Deshaun Watson's future after the season and there’s a good possibility that the Texans still trade Watson and/or target a top-tier quarterback in the 2022 draft, but adding Mills now gives Houston an opportunity to take another shot at the position. The biggest reason this move was surprising? The Texans have so many holes on the roster coming off a 4-12 season and a lot of turnover, and went into the draft without a pick in the first or second round.

          Round 3, No. 89 overall: Nico Collins, WR, Michigan

          My take: The Texans again did not address their defense on Day 2, instead adding Collins, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound vertical threat, to a group that lost Will Fuller V in free agency. Collins joins a position group that had a lot of question marks going into the 2021 season due to of a lack of proven talent outside of Brandin Cooks and slot receiver Randall Cobb. Houston drafted Isaiah Coulter in the fifth round in 2020, but he didn’t see much playing time in his rookie season, first dealing with injuries and then a coaching staff that preferred to focus on playing proven players. This is the first time the Texans drafted an offensive skill player with each of their first two picks since 2003, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

          Round 5, No. 147 overall: Brevin Jordan, TE, Miami

          My take: Jordan joins a crowded tight end group led by starter Jordan Akins. He brings speed and has the physical skills to produce after the catch. According to PFF, Jordan was the only tight end with more than 300 yards after contact last season. What does this draft pick mean for tight end Kahale Warring, a third-round pick in 2019? Warring missed his rookie season and only caught three passes in seven games last year.

          Round 5, No. 170 overall: Garret Wallow, LB, TCU

          My take: The Texans finally addressed their defense by trading up twice to draft Wallow, an off-ball linebacker from TCU. Wallow had 90 tackles, three sacks and three forced fumbles last season and has shown an ability to make plays all over the field. While Wallow weighed 220 pounds at his pro day, he said he’s up to 227 pounds right now.

          Round 6, No. 195 overall: Roy Lopez, DT, Arizona

          My take: The Texans and general manager Nick Caserio took a chance on Lopez, a 6-foot-2, 318-pound defensive tackle who began his career at New Mexico State and then spent one season at Arizona. Lopez was listed as ESPN's 22nd-ranked defensive tackle and 350th player overall but said he's coming in "humble, hungry" and ready to compete.