Draft season is underway, meaning fans continue to wonder what the Houston Texans will do with the 25th overall pick come April. 24.
Despite advancing to the AFC Divisional Round for the second consecutive season, Houston enters the offseason with ample needs. The interior offensive line must be fixed. The same goes for the interior defensive line, safety and wide receiver.
From an early glance, one prospect in particular stands out among the rest as a perfect fit for Houston following the hire of new offensive coordinator Nick Caley from the Los Angeles Rams.
Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka.
C.J. Stroud’s former college teammate closed his Buckeye career as one of the best receivers in school history. Egbuka collected 205 receptions for 2868 yards and 24 touchdowns while catching passes from Stroud, Kyle McCord and Will Howard over the last four seasons.
He enters next week’s NFL Combine as one of the top playmaking prospects and should draw serious interest from the Texans.
Specifically, Egubka’s fit for Caley’s offense, potential chemistry with Houston’s existing stars and prerequisites for general Nick Caserio’s draft criteria look tailor-made for a selection at No. 25.
Scheme Fit
Egbuka likely enters the league as a “slot only” receiver as he dominated the role in Columbus. He punished nickel defenders and linebackers on slants, crossers and in-breakers throughout his college career.
For an offense under Caley that may look to emphasize the quick game — something well-documented under Tom Brady and the Patriots —that becomes a bonus and another “easy button” for the team to lean on in difficult situations.
Caley comes from a Los Angeles system that values receivers who are willing to block. Egbuka showed a tenacious fight in blocking with the Buckeyes. He can help to open up lanes for Joe Mixon or block on screens for Nico Collins.
His physicality as a blocker should translate cleanly toward any 12-personnel packages since Egbuka can line tight to the formation.
The motion was also a major point of Egbuka’s game at Ohio State, mostly in ways that can elevate Caley’s use of the slot role. Whether that was to open up route combination, serve as a lead blocker, or take the ball out of the backfield Ohio State often trusted Egbuka to become the defensive focal point on the pre-snap.
Team Fit
Beyond the fit within Houston’s new offense, Egbuka’s ability to slide into a role Houston’s existing stars like Collins and Stroud cannot be understated.
Stroud and Egbuka already have an existing history. In Stroud’s senior season, the 6-foot target posted career-highs in catches (74), receiving yards (1,151) and touchdowns (10). The duo should have quick rapport and Egbuka’s presence can accelerate Stroud’s comfort in the new offensive scheme.
In the slot, Egbuka further compliments Collins on the perimeter. The two could be a lethal combination in route formations. Egbuka should also help protect Collins from seeing too much defensive coverage shifted his way and punish defenses when they make that decision.
A Caserio Classic Pick
Egbuka fits all the criteria of historic first-round draft selections under Caserio.
The Washington native was a five-star prospect coming out of high school, play in a Power 4 conference and produced high-volume stats on a team competing for a national title. These were all traits shared by former early picks Derek Stingley Jr., Kenyon Green, Will Anderson Jr. and Stroud.
A player of Egubka’s potential would provide Houston’s new offensive coordinator with a dynamic target who can build off his previous rapport with a rising talent at quarterback entering a crucial Year 3.
Fans are still in wait-and-see mode, but don’t be surprised if head coach DeMeco Ryans cedes this year’s first pick to the offense with Egbuka’s selection.