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NFL First Round Mock Draft, Seahawks get defensive

By Dan Viens

Nov 21, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Nathan Peterman (4) runs with the ball as Louisville Cardinals defensive end Sheldon Rankins (98) defends during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Nathan Peterman (4) runs with the ball as Louisville Cardinals defensive end Sheldon Rankins (98) defends during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 23, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama running back Derrick Henry (2) holds up the Crystal trophy with coach Nick Saban (left), offensive lineman Ryan Kelly (70), linebacker Reggie Ragland (19), and quarterback Jake Coker (14) during a presentation to celebrate the victory in the CFP National Championship game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama running back Derrick Henry (2) holds up the Crystal trophy with coach Nick Saban (left), offensive lineman Ryan Kelly (70), linebacker Reggie Ragland (19), and quarterback Jake Coker (14) during a presentation to celebrate the victory in the CFP National Championship game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports /

Pick #22: Houston Texans – Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama

The first surprise of the draft, and a move some will label a reach by Houston.

There will be a lot of talk here about QB Christian Hackenburg, as people try and connect the dots between the Texans needing a young quarterback and Hackenburg having played for head coach Bill O’Brien at Penn State. But Hackenburg just isn’t good enough to warrant this high of a selection. Connor Cook? Maybe, but my gut tells me the Texans will take a shot at replacing Arian Foster with Henry, continuing to build around a bruising running game regardless of who is under center.

Henry ran away with the Heisman Trophy in 2015 after rushing for 2,219 yards and 28 TD’s as a junior. He’s not your typical big back who simply powers his way through tacklers, although at 6’2″ 242 pounds he can certainly do that. But he also possesses outstanding patience and instincts, reads his blockers, sticks a foot in the ground and goes. For this reason he would be an ideal fit in the Texans zone blocking system.

He has some growth ahead of him and will need to prove in workouts that he can catch the ball (only 17 career receptions at Alabama) but Henry is a rare franchise back who, unlike former Tide star Trent Richardson, has the skills to successfully transition to the NFL.

Next: On the clock: Minnesota

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