/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48979953/usa-today-8892532.0.jpg)
The yin to Mel Kiper's yang at ESPN has his latest projection out and up for your review. You can find Todd McShay's first post-Combine mock draft here. If you just want to know what he currently believes your Houston Texans will do at No. 22, look no further.
22. Houston Texans: Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech.
While they might be tempted to take Paxton Lynch or Christian Hackenberg here, I think the Texans will wait until Round 2 to snag a QB, even if it means they have to move up a little bit. Houston's defense was outstanding down the stretch, but J.J. Watt needs some help up front. Butler has the versatility to play nose tackle or 5-technique DE. His tape is a lot better than his athletic testing at the combine indicated. Butler has the size (6-4, 323), length (35-plus-inch arms) and upper-body power (26 reps on the bench) to wreak havoc up front.
For what it's worth, we know the Texans spent some time with Butler at the Senior Bowl. Courtesy of our friends (well, as much as anyone can have Cowboys fans as friends) at Blogging the Boys, you can learn more about Butler, complete with GIFs, here.
While I imagine the majority of the Texans' fan base would throw a rod if Houston passed on Paxton Lynch at No. 22 as McShay portends, Butler is an intriguing prospect. How would you feel about him becoming a Texan in the first round?