Texans Go Big in the Trenches: Booker & Walker Headline Matt Miller’s Mock

In his latest mock draft, Matt Miller has the Texans focusing heavily on the trenches in the first two rounds, selecting Alabama’s Tyler Booker and Kentucky’s Deone Walker. Both are highly talented, high-ceiling prospects who could make a massive impact if they reach their full potential in the NFL.

Round 1- Tyler Booker

With the Texans shifting to the McVay tree with the hiring of Nick Caley there is new direction and motion on what we can imagine the offense can be.  With the implementation of more gap scheme runs Tyler Booker, mauler from Alabama can help be part of the solution to rebuild CJ Stroud into the QB texans want him to be.  At 6’5 330 pounds, Booker shows the leg drive and powerful hands to reset the line of scrimmage consistently in the run game.  This will help with the duo/inside zone runs that a lot of the coaches from the McVay tree have been implementing.  The Texans despite many explosive plays in the run game struggled to be efficient, I would not leave it up to coaching to fix these issues, go get a certified DAWG in the trenches to establish a mindset of the team.  Booker would do that being thought of as one of the emotional leaders of the Bama O-line since arriving drawing comparisons to Will Anderson for his qualities as a leader.  In pass pro there are things to brush up on, but Booker has shown he can anchor in the SEC and although that isn’t foolproof, it shows he has quality reps against high level competition.

Round 2 - Deone Walker

Deone Walker is a polarizing player in this draft with unique physical gifts that don’t come around often.  At 6’7 350 pounds he is one of the most unique players in the last few drafts as a defensive tackle.  I think Walker fits Demeco’s scheme as a DT that can reek havoc from multiple spots.  Sometimes he plays high and gets stonewalled, as you see with a lot of tall trench players, but when he wins his reps its normally in dominating fashion.   I think he can tone up his body, get stronger in his core and legs and be one of the most disruptive players in the NFL if he was to hit his potential.  The Texans gave up a few to many explosive runs last year and also did not have a defensive tackle with above a 50 run defense grade from PFF.  A shot of youthful high upside energy could be just what that room needs to make a dominant defense more annoying to play against.  This presence could also make Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter even more dangerous.