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With the 27th pick in Pride Of Detroit's 2013 NFL mock draft, the Houston Texans select Clemson wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Rip61 is serving as the Texans' general manager, and his reasoning for the pick is below.
I had four guys slotted here and could not believe almost all of my choices were still there.
The Texans could use an upgrade at No. 2 wide receiver with DeVier Posey's Achilles injury, a true two-gap nose tackle, right guard and right tackle. I strongly considered drafting a nose tackle for two reasons. In the playoff game lost last year to New England, the Texans gave up an average of 5.1 yards per rush. Houston has also drafted four straight first-round defensive players while converting to the 3-4 defense over the past couple years. They still need a true NT or two on the defensive line, as the guys they do have are at 300 pounds.
But when the skill players dropped, I had to go with offense here. Our No. 2 wide receiver, Kevin Walter, was cut. His backup is Posey, a third-round pick in 2012 who injured his Achilles and may not be counted on this season. Keshawn Martin, a fourth-round pick in 2012, only had 10 receptions last year. He was mostly used as a returner.
DeAndre Hopkins had a very good three years at Clemson. In 2012, he had an ACC-best 1,405 yards on 82 catches and a school-record 18 touchdowns (second in the nation), earning First Team All-Conference honors. This was after missing the first two games of the season and playing through injuries.
When I looked at his Speed Score, he was third in this draft class with 127.01. Speed Score is a formula measuring (weight/40-yard time) + (touchdowns/game) + (yards/game). Although he is not a speed guy, he brings nice size, good route running and good hands to a position opposite of Andre Johnson. His talents should add to a quicker-strike offense, which Houston could have used at times last season.
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Check out the 2013 Pride Of Detroit Community Mock Draft tracker for a look at all of the picks.