2021 NFL Draft: Houston Texans Trade Up To 170th Overall, Select Garrett Wallow

Trading up to select Nico Collins wasn’t enough. The Texans have made another aggressive move. Houston has traded up with the Buffalo Bills to pick 174th overall. They moved two sixth round picks, selections #203 and #212, to make it happen.

But, wait, there’s more. The Texans also moved up to 170th overall from there. They traded picks #174 and #233 to the Los Angeles Rams to select Garrett Wallow, linebacker from TCU.

Lance Zierlein with NFL.com had the following to say about Wallow:

Inside linebacker known for his work ethic, leadership and production for the Horned Frogs. He clearly has the mindset and athletic talent to go hunt for the football. That said, he’s not as strong as teams would like when taking on blocks and he’s not very instinctive as an open-field tackler. If Wallow can improve his fundamentals as a finisher, it could go a long way in determining his NFL future. He can run and has special teams potential, but his tape was a little disappointing as a third-down linebacker, which could hurt his stock. Wallow should find a home on Day 3 of the draft.

Dane Brugler with The Athletic had the following to say:

Wallow fills the stat sheet with his active play style, play speed and nose for the football. While he has the lateral range to work around blocks, he has some limitations with his length and change of direction, which will dent his tackling batting average versus NFL blockers and ball carriers. Overall, Wallow lacks ideal size and redirect skills, which especially shows in coverage, but his speed, toughness and closing burst will be an immediate fit on special teams as he competes for defensive reps as a run-and-hit linebacker.

Grade: 5th-6th round

The Texans needed another linebacker, Kamu Gruiger-Hill, Christian Kirksey, Joe Thomas, Tae Davis, Nate Hall, Hardy Nickerson Jr., Kevin Pierre-Louis, and Joe Thomas weren’t enough. Welcome to the club Garrett. It’s time to compete.