Everything you need to know about the new members of the Texans

Get to know the Texans 2019 draft class

Cody Stoots
Apr 26, 2019, 5:28 am
NFL.com

Plenty of info, video, and thoughts about the newest members of the Texans.

Tytus Howard - OT Alabama State - 23rd overall

The Texans selected Howard one pick after Washington State tackle Andre Dillard and while fellow tackles Jawaan Taylor (Florida) and Cody Ford (Oklahoma) were also on the board. He was often ranked between the 4th-7th best tackle.

A lot projections have him playing left tackle at the next level.

Howard is seen as a project by some so immediate help may be an issue if that is the expectation.

Howard played quarterback in high school and initially tight end at Alabama State. He bulked up to tackle where played both right and left.

Twitter: @levelstothis_2

Instagram: tytushoward58

SportsMap and ESPN's Lance Zierlein: Ascending tackle prospect who will require additional work with technique and in the weight room to fully realize his potential. Howard is a gifted athlete with rare quickness and fluidity as both a run and pass blocker and his play issues are correctable with more work.

If Lance sees a possible Duane Brown, there won't be one person upset if he turns out to be Duane Brown.

The Athletic's Dane Bruglar: Overall, Howard is a talented lump of clay with sloppy tendencies, but all the raw tools are there for him to develop into an NFL starter.

People rave about Howard's performance against Auburn here is that tape.

He might want this Senior Bowl rep against now Washington DL Montez Sweat back

That was their second rep though. Here was the first.

Another good Senior Bowl rep.

Here are his measurables.


Lonnie Johnson - CB Kentucky - 54th overall

A big cornerback from Kentucky who had just one interception in college but loves to play man coverage. He is athletic but has only been playing cornerback for three years after previously being a wideout.

He was recruited by Ohio State but didn't academically qualify. When he was leaving JUCO he was recruited by Georgia and Kentucky before choosing the Wildcats.

Jaguars standout CB is a fan

Nickname is lotto because he says he is lucky.

Twitter: @Lonnie30johnson

Instagram: lonniejohnson06

He just proposed.

SportsMap and ESPN 97.5 Lance Zierlein: His physical gifts could get him overdrafted, but he can become an eventual starter if he hones his ball skills and finds the right scheme fit.

NFL Draft Analyst Bucky Brooks said the buzz around Johnson is he will be the "best cover corner in the league" in a few years.

D.K. Metcalf has a nice play over Johnson, but, of course, this wouldn't be a catch in the NFL.

Lonnie Johnson brings the wood.

Max Scharping - OT Northern Illinois - 55th overall

He played every snap in college for a total of 53 straight games. He played ever snap in 2018 which was 998 plays. He played mostly tackle but some guard in his time in college. He said he is ready to play guard if he needs to play guard. He is another player from the Senior Bowl the Texans selected.

Twitter: @MaxScharping

Instagram: mscharps

He has a Masters and earned a 3.99 GPA in college only slipping in an English class his freshman year.

SportsMap and ESPN 97.5 Lance Zierlein: Scharping has the ability to handle bull-rushers and finds ways to recover and get guys blocked after getting beat early. However, NFL rushers will look to exploit the inconsistent footwork and balance that shows up when his pass sets become hurried and unfocused against true edge speed. He might get a shot at left tackle, but might be best-suited on the right side where he has the potential to become an above-average starter.

He got rave reviews for his work against first round pick and former Florida State pass rusher Brian Burns.

He showed some moves at right tackle too.

Kahale Warring - TE San Diego State - 86th overall

His full name is Kahale Kuio Kalani Michael Wodehouse Warring

He was a former water polo player who also played basketball. He said he thinks basketball helped him as much and maybe more than water polo did. Didn't start playing football until senior year of high school. He walked on to the San Diego State team and earned a scholarship.

Twitter: @kahale23

Instagram: kahale_warring


SportsMap and ESPN 97.5 Lance Zierlein: Exciting and ascending, Warring is still a relative newcomer to the game, but he has the size, speed and athleticism to become a versatile, high-impact player on the pro level. He has the competitiveness to handle run-blocking duties and the talent to line up in the slot.

He was fourth tight end on The Athletic's Dane Bruglar tight end rankings.

He led the Aztecs in significant pass catching categories the past two seasons including touchdowns the past two and yards last season.

He is no stranger to contact.

He has some wiggle to get loose too.

He will need to work on his blocking but there is a solid base there.

Really find Kahale Warring to be and underrated blocker. He is a willing blocker and watch how he's able to create a hole for the running back on this play. pic.twitter.com/TCzbyH5fOF
— PNScouting (@PnScouting) April 21, 2019

You can see his athleticism in the numbers above.

Charles Omenihu - DE Texas - 161st overall

Charles Omenihu was the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year. He was also the Big 12 sack leader. He combined his sacks and tackles for a loss for a whopping 27.5.

He was tied for 17th in the nation in tackles for loss and sacks in 2018.

Twitter: @charless_94

Instagram: comenihu

SportsMap and ESPN 97.5 Lance Zierlein: As a 4-3 end, Omenihu sets a stronger edge and has shown some potential to mix power with get-off as a rusher. His game lacks instincts and consistency, but he's got the traits and potential to become an eventual starter if he can continue his development.

The Athletic's Dane Bruglar: Overall, Omenihu flashes on film and boasts the long levers and raw power worth developing, but his spotty instincts and playmaking skills create consistency issues, projecting best as a base end who requires patience.

Omenihu said he wore 7 in high school because Jadeveon Clowney wore 7 in college and he wore 90 because Clowney wore 90 in the pros.

Blows through a USC player for a sack on Sam Darnold.

Big play at Senior Bowl practice against a guard.

He isn't just a pass rusher.

Xavier Crawford - CB Central Michigan - 195th overall

Central Michigan University Athletics

The Chippewas were one of the worst teams in all of college football last year but Crawford joins teammate Sean Bunting as a draft pick from the team.

He ran a 4.3 40-time at his pro day.

Twitter: @XCrawford_22

Instagram: xcrawford_22

SportsMap and ESPN 97.5 Lance Zierlein: Long, thin press corner with the agility, foot quickness and balance to allow for stickier coverage. Crawford's average speed and slim frame could make him a target downfield. His ability to hound routes underneath is impressive, but he doesn't have the size or demeanor for frequent run support.

He was first-team All-MAC in his one year with Central Michigan.

He said his favorite coverage is man.

"I'm man to man," he said. "I wanna see you versus me and I wanna see what you're going to do on me."

His interception from last season.

INTERCEPTION! Central Michigan CB Xavier Crawford (@XCrawford_5) picks off Kentucky QB Terry Wilson. He read the pass and stayed in bounds to give the ball back to the Chippewas. pic.twitter.com/izW6qKBEqb
— Evan Petzold (@EvanPetzold) September 1, 2018

Cullen Gillaspia - FB Texas A&M - 220th overall

He is the first "12th Man" in Aggies football history to get drafted. He said this is for every "12th Man" before him.

A former walk-on from Katy Taylor high school. He said he grew up a Texans fan and all his friends and families are Texans fans. He played defense and so Bryan Braman and Brian Cushing were the two Texans he looked up to on the Texans. He joked he would have to make a tackle without his helmet soon.

He will play fullback for the Texans initially but did a little bit of everything for the Aggies from catching the ball to rushing it and even playing linebacker. He only started playing fullback a year ago. He is a special teams ace.

Twitter: @CGillaspia

Instagram: cgillaspia1133

SportsMap and ESPN 97.5 Lance Zierlein: Will need extensive film work to develop a running back's vision in order to become more accurate and effective as a lead blocker. His fearless playing style and soft hands are both positive traits in his conversion from linebacker to fullback, but he may be too far away from a true positional fit to make a team as a special teams demon.

Rushing the ball.

Blocked punt

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Positions to watch at Texans training camp

Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images

Football season is finally upon us. We've waited since the Super Bowl ended (or longer for those who eject after their team is eliminated) for another taste of football. The offseason has been tumultuous for the Texans as they fired their general manager, franchised their enigmatic for number one overall pick, failed to draft the best player at their biggest position of need, and didn't sign any top flight talent in free agency.

Training camp starts on Thursday July 25 for the Texans. This is a team that went 11-5 and won the AFC South last year. People out there are expecting them to win the division again, repeat that 11-5 record or better, or some are expecting them to possibly challenge for a Super Bowl berth. I, however, am a bit more reserved in my expectations. I can see an 8-8 type of season, or a 10-6 season. That will depend on how some key positions perform. Usually there are a few players and/or positions to look out for every camp. Here's a look at some positions (and players) that will make or break the Texans' season:

Offensive Line

The Texans missed on Andre Dillard when the Eagles swooped in front of them and drafted the best tackle prospect in the draft at the pick in front of them. They followed that up with drafting Tytus Howard with their first round pick and Max Scharping with the second of their second round pick. Signing Matt Khalil, an injury prone left tackle that once had All-Pro ability, did very little to ease fears. If Deshaun Watson is to avoid another 60+ sack season, the OL will have to improve greatly.

Edge Rusher

With Jadeveon Clowney out until he signs his franchise tender, and Whitney Mercilus in a contract year, expect this position to be hotly contested as well. Not only are guys going to get reps with Clowney out until hr signs the franchise tag then reports, and Mercilus competing for his livelihood as well, not only will other guys get valuable reps, but some may get a chance to shine and prove why they may be worthy of more time..

Wide Receiver

After DeAndre Hopkins, there's a logjam of a bunch of guys at receiver. Will Fuller and Keke Coutee need to prove themselves worthy of being the number two and slot receivers on this team. Other guys may want to shoot their shots as neither of the aforementioned guys have been able to firmly establish themselves in their positions. Somebody has to step up in these backup roles, or else the team will be drafting for another position of need in 2020.

Defensive Backs

Sure this team has Justin Reid coming off a promising year, but they let Tyrann Mathieu and Kareem Jackson leave via free agency. Jonathan Joseph is as old as I am, but he's coming back for another year. Bradley Roby is signed to a one year deal, but hasn't proved he's worth more in his time in Denver. Maybe one of the two rookies the Texans drafted will step up and prove themselves worthy? However it pans out, the position is one to watch all season long.

Tight Ends

Neither of the guys they drafted last year did much to separate themselves. Enter Kahale Warring. As an athletic third rounder selected this year, he's set to come in and give Jordan Thomas and Jordan Akins some much needed competition. When there's a good tight end to occupy the middle of the field, it opens up more routes for the wide receivers, and gives Watson more targets. If any of these guys can step up, this pass game has a chance to be pretty good.

Running Back

Yes, Lamar Miller is coming back, so is D'Onta Foreman. However, one is a veteran who hasn't proved he's capable of carrying the load for a real competitive team for a complete season, and the other is coming off a serious injury. Nothing was added to this position this offseason in terms of adding competition. Therefore, the team believes in these two guys being able to get it done. Also note that valued backup Alfred Blue was not retained. Losing him means more to your special teams, but having a guy like that as a backup added to the depth of the position.

i may sound down on this team, but I have my reasons.Seeing the way they've operated over the course of their history makes me extremely skeptical. Add that to the fact that they're going about it with a general manager by committee, and it ups the level of difficulty tenfold. If they should happen to catch lightening in a bottle two years in a row, I'll be the first to admit I'm wrong, but I could see another disappointing season ahead. I'd love nothing more than to admit I'm wrong, but this team has given me very little to be excited about. If you want to wear your battle red and deep steel blue fan glasses, you have your right to be wildly optimistic. I, however, tend to look at things more objectively and see this team taking a step back from what they did last year. These five position groups will go a long way into proving me right or proving me wrong.

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