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Houston Texans: Hilliard, Mumphery, fit Bill O’Brien’s offense

By Brett Clancy

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At first glance, the Houston Texans day three draft haul looks a little disappointing. After an aggressive day two saw them trade up to grab Benardrick McKinney and Jaelen Strong in the second and 3rd rounds respectively, the Texans were left with just four selections, three of which were compensatory, in the final three rounds.

The names weren’t as flashy as McKinney and Strong, and it could be argued that some talent was left on the table, but at least two of the four selections, Michigan State wide receiver Keith Mumphery and LSU running back Kenny Hilliard are excellent scheme fits for Bill O’Brien’s offense and could be critical cogs for the team moving forward.

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When the Texans drafted Mumphery, (pick 39 of the 5th round, 175 overall) small school sleepers Tre McBride (William and Mary) and Dezmin Lewis (Central Arkansas) were both still on the board (and would be until the 7th round,) as was the raw, but athletically gifted Darren Waller of Georgia Tech (eventually taken in the mid-6th round.) But O’Brien opted for Mumphrey, likely for his run blocking prowess and ability to contribute immediately on special teams.

The 6 foot, 215 pound Mumphrey isn’t an off the chart athlete, but he’s solidly built and isn’t afraid to get physical at the line of scrimmage or going over the middle. Mumphrey can make up for some of what he lacks in speed and agility as an intelligent route runner who struggles to gain separation in one on one’s, but can find the open space in zone coverage.

Mumphery’s hands are good, but not great. He’s a hands catcher, adept at catching the ball outside his frame, he just can’t always get it to stick in his hands. His combine workout shows a few passes bounce of his hands, but the technique is there. He’s known for being a hard worker, and all around good guy. He’s not going to light up the league, but he already does all the little things that coaches love and brings solid depth to a wide receiver that continues to rebuild in the wake of Andre Johnson’s departure.

Kenny Hilliard was the the Texans final selection of the draft, (7th round pick 18, 235th overall) and would be the last running back taken. Hilliard will be reunited with LSU teammate Alfred Blue (taken by Houston in the 6th round of the 2014 draft) and join what is becoming a crowded backfield. Hilliard struggled to see the field at LSU behind superior talents like Jeremy Hill and Leonard Fournette, but he has some promising traits to develop.

Hilliard hurt his draft stock at the combine, running a 4.83 in the 40 yard dash, and didn’t look particularly sharp in drills. He would improve to a 4.68 at his pro day and looked much better in drills, but the damage had already been done. Still, at 6 foot, 226 pounds, he’s a big bodied power back that will hit the hole hard with a good tendency for falling forward to gain extra yardage.

Running behind an incredibly talented offensive line he never really had to create for himself and getting more than what’s blocked could be a struggle for him at the next level.Like most rookie running backs he needs a lot of work in pass protection, but has shown the ability to run smooth routes and shows soft hands out of the backfield. There’s potential in Hilliard, and while he may face an uphill battle, his battering ram running style is exactly what Bill O’Brien is looking for.

With some improvement Hillard could once again become a key cog of a formidable power running team seeking a championship. Hilliard never carried the ball more than 90 times in a season, but could contribute as a goal line specialist, finding the endzone 27 times in his four year career. Due to his size and ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, Hilliard could also see some work as a full back.

So, while Mumphery and Hilliard may not have the name recognition or the value of the day two picks (seriously how did Jaelen Strong make it to the third round?) There fit with the Texans is impeccable and it should be exciting to watch them in the preseason as they compete for their place on the final 53 man roster.

If you’re wondering about the other two picks from day three (DT Christian Covington, and OLB Reshard Cliett,) they too could be fits on the defensive side of the ball. But where it seems Mumphery and Hilliard were being selected as known commodities who fit a certain role, Covington and Cliett better fit the profile of late round fliers with high upside.

Oct 19, 2013; Oxford, MS, USA; LSU Tigers running back Kenny Hilliard (27) advances the ball against Mississippi Rebels linebacker Denzel Nkemdiche (4) during the game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports

TCU defensive tackle Christian Covington looks like a solid rotational player for an already strong defensive line. Covington would have been off the board much sooner, (taken with 40th pick in 6th round, 216 overall) if not for a knee injury that cost him much of the 2014 season.

Analysts were surprised that Covington declared after his junior season, but he has worked incredibly hard rehabbing his knee and could easily outplay his draft position. Playing alongside J.J. Watt and Vince Wilfork should help Covington adjust to playing in a 3 man defensive front.

As for Reshard Cliett: the outside linebacker from South Florida University was a defensive captain for the Bulls and had 7.5 tackles for loss and 6 sacks in his senior season.

He’s also played in all 11 games for South Florida his final three seasons, bringing some durability to a linebacking unit that has struggled to stay healthy.

Cliett wasn’t invited to the combine, but looked impressive at his pro day, according to Joey Knight of the Tampa Bay Times. Listed at 6’2 and just 235 pounds, Cliett will likely need to add some weight, especially if the Texans want to continue to use him on the outside.

Next: How does Strong fit Texans?

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