NFL Mock Draft 2016: Houston Texans Select Will Fuller

Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame

In a crazy and historic development, after making the #4 selection for the Dallas Cowboys, I was relieved of my duties by owner Jerry Jones. That's crazy! While heading back south to Central Texas, the Houston Texans called to request my presence for their #22 pick. So, this will be the first time in NFL history that one GM picks in the first round for two teams from the same state!

After scrapping my previous draft game-plan, I changed gears to focus on my second favorite NFL team, the Texans.

This team surprisingly doesn't have a lot of glaring holes after using free agency to get their offense on track. The Texans signed QB Brock Osweiller to a mega-contract and grabbed high-quality RB Lamar Miller. The receiving group was decent in 2015, led by the all-around awesome DeAndre 'Nuk' Hopkins, Cecil Shorts, and then-rookie Jaelen Strong. The problem that was revealed throughout the season was that the Texans lacked a true big play threat besides Hopkins and without a running game, the offense bogged down. For a team facing the Texans, it was simple, let D-Hop eat all the catches he wants, just no TDs and you have a strong chance at winning. Shorts was not enough of a threat to warrant a lot of attention and Strong was spotty at best. Heading into 2016, the Texans will need to bring in that threat, enter WR Will Fuller, a burner with decent hands who will draw the attention away from Nuk. Fuller will take the top off the defense with his 4.32 speed and give Osweiller a strong deep target. The availability of Strong is in question as he was arrested earlier this year on a marijuana possession charge. This makes WR a need that should be addressed in Round 1!

Why the Texans should take Fuller (NFL.com):

Big time, vertical daddy. Had just over 27 percent of his catches go for 25-plus yards this year. Uses short, controlled strides into his routes for maximum balance and suddenness underneath. Will change routes speed to rock corners to sleep before climbing past them. Works to establish early leverage points against man coverage. Has elite acceleration to create easy separation vertically.

Why the Texans shouldn't draft Fuller (NFL.com):

Undersized outside receiver with skinny legs who is unlikely to make a living in the middle of the field. Hands can be wretched at times. Body catcher with focus issues and lack of hand strength. Logged nine drops in each of the last two seasons. Feast or famine target lacking frame and hands to be a volume receiver. Won't offer much at all as run blocker.

Why I chose Fuller:

The 2016 group of WRs is a decent bunch with a mix of skill sets. You have your speed guys, your possession guys, your redzone guys, etc. So choosing a player will be directly based on which guy fits your system. At 22nd, in this mock, all WR options are on the table including Fuller, LaQuon Treadwell (my personal favorite), Corey Coleman, and Josh Doctson. My choice here is based on fit and role for Houston. Treadwell is a possession guy and the Texans have that, Coleman is undersized and would struggle, and Doctson isn't a player who'll stretch the defense. This leaves Fuller, who isn't big but brings elite speed and a vertical element. Some have compared him to DeSean Jackson, but DJax he is not. Ted Ginn Jr. is a better comparison but with more potential to be dependable. Adding Will to the fold gives the Texans a collection of wideouts who can contribute by playing their role. A diverse offense paired with that tough defense makes the Texans very dangerous in the AFC South in 2016!

***

Thanks to all the CSC members who participated in this year's community mock draft. Without your help, none of this would be possible.

Below are the complete results from our community mock draft.

Catch up with all of the mock draft selections in our 2016 CSC Community Mock Draft Hub.