Trying to get Houston Texans fans connected with their rookie draft class, we dug up some good stories on them. Enjoy.   DeAndre Hopkins DeAndre Hopkins Baptized at Practice  Hopkins Tough Road to get to Houston Clemson Football Blog Reacts to Hopkins Being Drafted   D.J. Swearinger Swearinger Joins Teammate and Rival in Houston The Swearinger Effect The Garnet and Black Attack weighs in On Swearinger  Free safety D.J. Swearinger’s boldness an important part of South Carolina’s success   Brennan Williams Former Catholic Memorial Williams Drafted Easton’s Williams Drafted by the Texans UNC Williams Drafted   Sam Montgomery LSU’s Sam Montgomery…

The NFL Draft is in the books and a couple of days have passed to marinate on what changes happened to the Houston Texans’ roster. New names in and old names out, the roster is taking a slight face lift for the upcoming 2013 season. Youth has been infused into the roster with nine new draft picks, especially on offense which should make the Texans fan base optimistic moving forward. On defense, they are still young and added faster pieces to the puzzle through the draft, but more importantly they still have one glaring need that needs to be filled. At this moment, by…

The draft is over, the picks are in and all of the hard work has been summed up into 9 selections. What do you think? Good, bad or indifferent? The Texans’ draft haul addressed all of their needs and filled most of the holes needed to solidify their team. Now we will look at all of the draft picks and break down how they will translate into the Texans system.   First Round No. 27 overall DeAndre “Nuk” Hopkins / Wide Receiver   SOTT Analysis: Hopkins is the epitome of a technician at wider receiver. He runs great routes and is…

Orhian Johnson has a real quality skill set that NFL teams look for and the Houston Texans realized what he was and is. Spending four seasons in Columbus, Ohio, Johnson attended one of the more storied schools in the country at The Ohio State University. Johnson was just too good for the Texans to pass up and not have him in a Texans’ uniform. Johnson started 23 games for the Buckeyes between 2009 and 2012 and appeared in 49 total games, racking up over 130 total tackles. “I feel like I can play either safety position. I can play deep,…

Here are the newest Houston Texans twitter handles.    The Drafted Class DeAndre Hopkins (Clemson) (Twitter) D.J. Swearinger (South Carolina)  (Twitter) Brennan Williams (North Carolina)  (Twitter) Sam Montgomery (LSU)  (Twitter) Trevardo Williams (UConn)  (Twitter) David Quessenberry (San Jose State)  (Twitter) Alan Bonner (Jacksonville State)  (Twitter) Chris Jones  (Bowling Green) Ryan Griffin (UConn)   The Rookies Justin Tuggle (Kansas State)  (Twitter) Travis Howard (Ohio State)  (Twitter) Willie Jefferson (SFA)  (Twitter) Graham Pocio (Illinois)  (Twitter) Ja’Gared Davis (SMU)  (Twitter) Earl Okine (Florida)   Zach Boren (Ohio State)  (Twitter) Evan Fierson (Illinois State)  (Twitter) Dann O’Neill (Western Michigan)   Marlon Brown (Georgia)  (Twitter) Ray Graham (Pitt.)  (Twitter) Uzoma Nwachukwu (Texas A&M)  (Twitter) Jon Opperud (Montana)  (Twitter) Andrew Shapiro (Fresno State)   Geroge Winn (Cincinnati)  (Twitter) Andy Cruse (Miami-OH)  (Twitter)…

   Here is a list of the Houston Texans undrafted free agents that will be invited to the Texans’ rookie minicamp.   These have not be confirmed by the team.   2013 UDFA/Rookie Mini Camp Class Offense Zach Boren, Ohio State, Fullback, 6-1 241 lbs. Graham Pocic, Center, Illinois, 6-7 310 lbs. TRYOUT Dann O’Neill, Western Michigan, Offensive Tackle, 6-8 305 lbs. Marlon Brown, Georgia, Wide Receiver, 6-4 213 lbs. Raymond Graham,  Pittsburgh, Running back, 5-9 190  lbs. Uzoma Nwachukwu, Texas A&M, Wide Receiver, 6-0 194 lbs. Jon Opperud, Montana, Offensive Tackle, 6-7 302 lbs. Andy Cruse, Miami (OH), Wide Receiver, 6-3 212 lbs. Bryan Collins, SMU, Offensive Guard,…

With the 201st pick The Houston Texans select Ryan Griffin, tight end from University of Connecticut.  Griffin is a big target who has size and height and who can play the ball in the air and be a nice target in the passing game. He also has some ability to run block from the tight end position, which could be a big asset for the team moving forward. Griffin was on the Mackey award watch list prior to the 2012 season and looks versatile enough to move around and play in multiple positions as a tight end.   Pick Analysis: With the need…

With the 198th Pick The Houston Texans have selected defensive lineman Chris Jones from Bowling Green University. A stout interior defender, Jones has some pass rushing ability that could help the defense. Jones will probably be a nose tackle for the Texans moving forward and compete for a spot on the roster. Considered one of the most productive defensive lineman in the country, Jones’ motor is what will give him a shot to make the Texans roster.   Pick Analysis: Hard to say whether Jones will make an impact on the team at this moment, but trusting what the Texans’ front…

With the 195th Pick The Houston Texans have selected Alan Bonner from Jacksonville State, who plays wide receiver and returner. He ranked ninth in the nation in punt returns and, as for his kick return ability, he averaged 25.9 yards a return. His senior season, Bonner had 50 catches for 859 yards and 8 touchdowns.   Pick Analysis: Bonner brings a returner to the mix and is able to compete for the 5th wide receiver position. He will have every opportunity to make the team and at this point being the full time kick return specialist could be his best way to make this team….

With the 176th pick The Houston Texans have drafted offensive tackle David Quessenberry from San Jose State University.  Quessenberry is one of the more versatile offensive lineman in this draft and has the skill set to play any position on the offensive line. He really stood out at the 2013 Senior Bowl where he opened some eyes when he held his own versus better competition. A former tight end, he has the skill set to move and get to the second level in the run game and has the athleticism to stay with quicker rushers.   Pick Analysis: This pick is built for the future and…

With the 124th pick The Houston Texans have selected defensive end/outside linebacker Trevardo Williams from the University of Connecticut. Williams is the essence of what a pass rusher is and looks to bolster a questionable 2012 pass rushing team. Williams is an explosive player with natural pass rushing ability. He can close on ball carriers with ease and is an athletic piece that can be moved around due to his ability.   Pick Analysis: Williams is to be competing at the weak side outside linebacker position, and using his pass rush ability is what will be needed from the beginning. It will be interesting…

With the 95th pick The Houston Texans selected defensive end Sam Montgomery from Louisiana State University. Montgomery looks like he will be playing outside linebacker for the Texans moving forward, which will add some much-needed depth for Brooks Reed and Whitney Mercilus. Montgomery was questioned coming out of the combine about his play on the field and was taken off many NFL draft boards for this. He has short area quickness that can be utilized in pass rush situations and has some toughness that was learned by playing in the SEC.   Pick Analysis: This is a risky pick but provides some good depth…

With the 89th pick The Houston Texans have selected Brennan Williams, offensive tackle from North Carolina. Williams had a labrum injury that ended his season in 2012 and is almost back to 100% strength. His father, Brent Williams, played in the NFL for 8 seasons. He is an athletic offensive lineman and can play the position well. Considered a good pass protector, Williams will be looking to be the right tackle of the future for the Texans.     Pick Analysis: The Houston Texans have added another offensive tackle to push any tackle not named Duane Brown. Williams is another piece to the offensive…

With the 57th pick  The Houston Texans have selected defensive back D.J. Swearinger from South Carolina. Swearinger is what the Texans are looking for to take over and build for the future of the secondary, and should be able to see the field as a third safety for the defense. A good frame and aggressive player, Swearinger plays with the physical aspect that NFL teams want from their safeties. Originally a cornerback at South Carolina, he also played safety.  He should make the conversion to safety completely where he is a natural fit in the NFL.   Pick Analysis: The Texans have…

New Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has arrived in Houston.   WR DeAndre Hopkins and his mother Sabrina in front of his new locker #Texans @nukdabombtwitter.com/HoustonTexans/… — Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) April 26, 2013     Updates from his Press Conference     First-round draft pick @nukdabomb at his 1st press conference as a Texan. #NFLDraft twitter.com/HoustonTexans/… — Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) April 26, 2013   The new #Texans receiver and a bottle of water.twitpic.com/cm56gp — Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) April 26, 2013 ON the phone call last night from the Texans: “My agent tapped me on the shoulder and said ‘this could be…