2019 NFL Mock Draft: Odell Beckham trade throws first round into chaos

The Texans’ top focus in the NFL Draft should be to improve the protection for Deshaun Watson. Houston’s offensive line struggled to keep the young star upright last season, allowing a league-worst 62 sacks despite Watson’s immense mobility.

The Clemson product has already suffered one devastating knee injury in his career, so the Texans must take whatever steps necessary to keep him healthy moving forward. The best way to do that is to draft offensive linemen early and often, and Washington State’s Andre Dillard would be an excellent fit.

Dillard might need some refinement as a run blocker coming out of the air-raid system in Pullman, but he’s an excellent pass blocker who should immediately boost Houston’s ability to keep Watson on his feet. He has some technical things that need to be cleaned up, and asking him to step in and start right away might come with some growing pains, but his upside is as high as any tackle prospect in this class.

He’s also one of the few, along with Florida’s Jawaan Taylor, where his position isn’t questioned. Dillard is a tackle through-and-through, and could eventually develop into the franchise left tackle to protect Watson’s blindside that the Texans covet.

Houston could be tempted into drafting help for their secondary, particularly after losing both Tyrann Mathieu and Kareem Jackson, but that can wait. There’s plenty of prospects who would be intriguing here, but solidifying Watson’s protection has to be the team’s top priority in the draft.

Secondary help can wait until day two.