Houston Texans 2012 mock draft picks - Corpus Christi Caller Times

CORPUS CHRISTI â€" HOUSTON TEXANS

Needs: Right tackle backup, right guard backup, blocking tight end, wide receiver with deep speed, nose tackle, defensive end backup, outside linebacker backup, inside linebacker backup, cornerback

FIRST ROUND (26th in the round): BRUCE IRVIN, West Virginia-OLB

I really want to trade back from here because the Texans need depth, not instant starters. Receivers like LSU’s Rueben Randle, Georgia Tech’s Stephen Hill and Baylor’s Kendall Wright will likely be available. But none thrill me here, now early second round they become much more interesting. At this spot I’m looking for the best player who is falling. USC defensive end (who the Texans can convert to outside linebacker) Nick Perry and Penn State defensive lineman Devon Still seem to be likely candidates. But I feel the Texans might be ready for a huge surprise and Irvin would be it. He has all the physical skills, and an impressive resume despite playing out of position in college.

SECOND ROUND (26th in the round): BRANDON THOMPSON, Clemson-NT

The 6-foot-2, 310-pound Thompson is solid against the run, but doesn’t show up against the pass. That’s exactly what the Texans are looking for, especially if he falls to this pick. If he is gone, a cornerback like Georgia’s Brandon Boykin or Vanderbilt’s Casey Hayward will draw interest or a tackle such as Cal’s Mitchell Schwartz would be a nice addition.

THIRD ROUND (13th in the round): MARVIN JONES, Cal-WR

Jones flashed sub 4.5 speed at the combine and has worked in a pro-style system in his college career (unlike Randle, Hill and Wright). He could be the Texans’ starter in 2013.

FOURTH ROUND (4th in the round): THOMAS COMPTON, South Dakota-OL

Big, quick and smart, Compton has all the tools to be successful in the Texans’ zone blocking scheme. I see him developing into the future starter at right tackle.

FOURTH ROUND (26th in the round): BRANDON HARDIN, Oregon State-S

Missed 2011 with an injury, but has the physical skills to be a future starter for the Texans. Is it too early to start grooming Quin Glover replacement? A falling cornerback could also be of interest to the Texans.

FIFTH ROUND (26th in the round): TIM FUGGER, Vanderbilt-OLB

Undersized defensive end is on the rise after a great showing at the Vanderbilt Pro Day. At 6-foot-3, 248 pounds and running a 4.6 40, Fugger would be a great addition to what could be a very active rotation of outside linebackers.

SIXTH ROUND (25th in the round): ADAM GETTIS, Iowa-G

A rare sub-300 pound guard, who started only his senior season, has great feet and quickness to succeed in the Texans’ zone blocking scheme. Comes from a great offensive lineman school in Iowa and could develop into a long-time starter.

SEVENTH ROUND (26th in the round): CHRIS GALIPPO, USC-ILB

Former top high school linebacker never really reached the same heights in Los Angeles, in part from a series of injuries. He has the athletic skills and could be a solid backup.