The Houston Texans don't exactly need a high flying wide receiver. Sure, Andre Johnson is playing in Indianapolis now and DeAndre Hopkins looks like a star in the making. But with quarterback Brian Hoyer under center, this team is going to be focused on running the ball and making smart, conservative throws on offense.
But eventually, this team will find its quarterback of the future and when that time comes Texans fans will want to surround him with a lot of offensive talent. That's why it's possible that Houston takes a long look at wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham in the NFL Draft.
"The Texans lost Andre Johnson this offseason, and while they added a solid possession receiver in Cecil Shorts III, they would benefit from a big-play target with size opposite DeAndre Hopkins," ESPN NFL Draft Insider Todd McShay wrote in his Mock Draft 4.0. "That could easily be Jaelen Strong, or Breshad Perriman is he's available, but Green-Beckham definitely fits the bill as well. He is one of the bigger wild cards in this class because of his off-field issues, but I think there's a good chance he goes in the top 25 because of the skill set he brings: size (6-5, 237 pounds), speed (4.39 4-0yard dash) and the ability to create big plays in the downfield passing game. Based on talent alone, he's a top-three receiver in this class."
Now admittedly, DGB is not a Bill O'Brien type of guy. He was arrested and suspended due to drug possession as a true freshman at Missouri. He was then dismissed from the University in 2014 due to a marijuana charge. As far as character and maturity goes, Green-Beckham has a lot to prove. But O'Brien also knows that building an explosive offense for whomever his future quarterback may be is important. Green-Beckham's raw ability may be too much to pass up on at No. 16 if O'Brien is confident that his off-field issues are in the past. No risk, no reward.
The NFL Draft will kick off on April 30.