/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49444441/usa-today-9143029.0.jpg)
It is all over. After three sprawling days, the 2016 NFL Draft has concluded for your Houston Texans (barring a trade back into the proceedings), and the roster is now pretty much set. Here is a complete list of every pick the Houston Texans made this year.
Round One (Pick #21): WIll Fuller (WR--Notre Dame)
The Texans came into this offseason with an overwhelming need to add more weapons to their roster. Star receiver DeAndre Hopkins practically carried the Houston offense all by himself as poor quarterback play, a subpar running back rotation, and unreliable tight ends ensured the Texans would see an early playoff exit. Simply put, this team was destined to go nowhere in 2016 without a complete offensive overhaul, and that’s exactly what they did. Brock Osweiler was signed to a big money deal, Lamar Miller was brought in to add more juice to the backfield, and moved up one slot at the cost of a 2017 sixth round pick to select Will Fuller.
Fuller was arguably the most feared wide receiver in all of college football in 2015, if only for his reputation for instantaneously flipping the field. To put it simply, there’s fast, and then there’s Will Fuller fast. In fact, calling Fuller merely "fast" is almost an insult to his actual speed – that’s how damn dangerous he is. Critics point to Fuller’s rather diminutive frame and questionable hands as reasons not to draft him in the first round, but his combination of speed, fluidity, and quickness out of breaks might just be rare enough to be worth the risk.
So here we are, Texans fans. You wanted a brand new offense, and this front office did everything in its power to go get one. On Sundays this fall, you are going to see Brock Osweiler throwing deep bombs to Will Fuller, Lamar Miller breaking off long runs, and a duo of jump ball threats in DeAndre Hopkins and Jaelen Strong making a ton of ridiculous catches. I am not about to predict that this new and improved Texans offense is going to be some unstoppable points machine, but it certainly now has enough weapons to come damn close to it.
The post announcing the selection, as well as providing the analysis you read above, can be found here.
Round Two (Pick #50): Nick Martin (C--Notre Dame)
Like Fuller, the Texans again went a rung up the ladder to make sure they got their guy. They gave up pick #52 and #195 to Atlanta to ensnare Martin at pick #50. Martin is the younger brother of Cowboys guard Zach Martin and should ensure that Tony Bergstrom never plays a snap at center.
The post announcing the selection, as well as providing the analysis you read above, can be found here.
Round Three (Pick #85): Braxton Miller (WR--Ohio State)
Miller is expected to immediately compete for the "starting" slot receiver spot with Cecil Shorts III and Jaelen Strong, but with his unique background there is a chance he could see some snaps at running back and wildcat quarterback as well. At this point I have no idea how Bill O'Brien is supposed to get all of these weapons on the field at the same time. I honestly don't even care anymore. This team needed to score more points to make any strides in 2016, and now they have the means to do so.
Good show, Texans. You've really outdone yourselves this year.
"SPIN MOVE"
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) April 30, 2016
Here's what to expect from Braxton down in Houston. #HOUpick https://t.co/7ayaykP5Bh
The post announcing the selection, as well as providing the analysis you read above, can be found here.
4th Round (Pick #119): Tyler Ervin (RB--San Jose State)
Ervin was electric for the Spartans in his senior year, racking up 13 touchdowns and 1,601 yards on just 294 carries. That's 5.4 YPC, folks. Ervin was equally comfortable catching passes out of the backfield, notching 334 yards and two additional scores. AND! He wasn't too shabby returning both punts and kicks. That's the kind of versatility Bill O'Brien covets.
The post announcing Ervin's selection can be found here, and a separate post detailing what he could bring to Houston can be found here.
5th Round (Pick #159): K.J. Dillon (S--West Virginia)
KJ Dillon has balls skills & attacks the line of scrimmage in a hurry. #Texans #nfldraft https://t.co/przHdmEUwr
— Top Pick Scouting (@TopPickScouting) April 30, 2016
One of my three safety "sleepers" when I wrote this a couple of weeks ago. Dude LOVES ball! https://t.co/LAgYwMRoFE
— John Harris (@jharrisfootball) April 30, 2016
The post announcing Dillon's selection can be found here, and a separate post detailing what he could bring to Houston can be found here.
5th Round (Pick #166): D.J. Reader (DT--Clemson)
"He's a force to be reckoned with."-Mike Mayock on newest #Texans D-lineman D.J. Reader. pic.twitter.com/RMvMmTSuP0
— Drew Dougherty (@DoughertyDrew) April 30, 2016
I like what the Texans have been doing. Really like getting #Clemson DT DJ Reader this late. Freaky athlete. Should help them.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) April 30, 2016
DJ Reader freaky huge athlete.. also played baseball at Clemson. Was clocked throwing a pitch at 94 mph...while weighing 321 lbs. #Texans
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) April 30, 2016
DJ Reader is disruptive force in the trenches. #Texans able to find Wilfork's successor. #nfldraft https://t.co/h1wI1qS5Lp
— Top Pick Scouting (@TopPickScouting) April 30, 2016
Wrote this about newest Texan D.J. Reader in my Senior Bowl observations back in January pic.twitter.com/gGQlHkTUbv
— John Harris (@jharrisfootball) April 30, 2016
Wrote this about D.J. on day two (didn't write about a guy on both days other than him - he was great) pic.twitter.com/Lc0Mn33p0x
— John Harris (@jharrisfootball) April 30, 2016
The post announcing Reader's selection can be found here, and a separate post detailing what he could bring to Houston can be found here
There you have it. Close your eyes and dream about how this will all look when the summertime arrives. Or just hit refresh and wait for BRB's Undrafted Free Agent Tracker to publish as we move into the next phase of the acquisition process.