The 20th pick is and SB Nation’s Texans community, Battle Red Blog, has selected...
NFL Mock Draft, Pick 20: Texans Select Dan Williams, DT Tennessee
Tennessee DT Dan Williams
Some of you might be saying, “Hey, the Texans’ run game last year was a joke! You guys need a running back.” This is half right, but the basic assumptions are incorrect. Our run game was horrible because we trotted out two of the worst starting guards in football last year, and our run game play-calling was dark humor. We believe we can address the run game in later rounds, and with Iupati and Pouncey already off the board, the talent gap at NT is simply greater.
A player like Williams is what the Texans’ defensive line has needed. Dez Bryant would have been a neat pick, but Williams is a necessity pick. The play of Okoye has been unimpressive because he’s been miscast as a run stuffer. Williams could be that presence and Okoye could more easily split gaps.
Dan Williams is a huge, strong guy with a low center of gravity who can really clog up the middle of the line of scrimmage. He’s fairly versatile as well, though, as he’s often seen far away from his starting point when the play ends, whether that’s along one of the sidelines chasing a scrambling quarterback or a screening receiver or 15 yards down field recovering a fumble.
I love this pick. Defensive tackles the size of Williams don’t come along very often so you take one when you can. RTT and MTD are spot on in their evaluation. Williams can clog the middle of the line freeing Amobi Okoye.
The popular pick is one of the top running backs remaining but that position is a dime a dozen so snagging Williams is a steal.
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