Houston Texans Fortify Secondary With Pair Of DB Selections In Latest CBS Sports Mock Draft

The Houston Texans continue to bolster their secondary with the additions of two new cornerbacks, as well as a starting No. 3 receiver.

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Mock drafts continue to fill the minds and social media pages of Houston Texans' fans entering Easter weekend. Consider Sunday's celebration as the final major milestone standing in the way of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell making the selection.

Who should be on the Texans' radar with their first three picks? According to one mock draft, a pair of defensive backs and future No. 3 receiver.

In the latest mock from CBS Sports, Houston doubles down on cornerback in Round 2 with the selections of Missouri's Ennis Rakestraw and Michigan's Mike Sainristil at No. 42 and No. 59, respectively. In the third round, the Texans bring in another former Alabama prospect with receiver Jermaine Burton filling in at pick No. 86.

From a prospect standpoint, the trio crosses off multiple boxes for what Houston looks for. All three come from the toughest conferences in college football, with two playing against another in the College Football Playoff earlier this year. Rakestraw and Burton were staples on their SEC program's success in 2024, which saw both the Tigers and Crismon Tide total 11-plus wins.

Sainristil, a 5-9 nickel defender, was a captain for the Wolverines in 2024 and the secondary's backbone en route to winning a national title. He was everywhere in coverage and did just about everything in space, finishing with four tackles for loss and six interceptions.

Dec 2, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Jermaine Burton (3) reacts after / Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Entering April, cornerback, defensive tackle and receiver remain the Texans' critical weak points. Houston added talent to all three rooms, but it doesn't mean it's promising. Former first-rounders Jeff Okudah and C.J. Henderson are looking for bounce-back seasons under DeMeco Ryans. Dencio Autry will turn 34 before the start of training, and Foley Fatukasi was a part-time starter during his final season in Jacksonville.

Houston's receiver concerns more so have to deal with depth and progress. Tank Dell and Nico Collins look like a promising combo when healthy and should be locked in for the next three years. What about the No. 3 role? John Metchie III and Xaiver Hutchinson will at least enter camp competing for a roster spot. Noah Brown is back on a one-year deal. Veteran Robert Woods, who signed a two-year deal last offseason, could be a post-June 1 cap cut.

Burton, who finished last season with a career-high 798 yards and eight touchdowns, would serve as a long-term vertical option on the outside in place of Brown and Woods. He's also seen reps inside, making the offense more dynamic in Year 2 under Bobby Slowik.

The Texans are looking to build off the 2023 AFC South-winning season. Even with a top-10 passing offense headlined by Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud, Houston could use another weapon or two. Defensively, the Texans notched a franchise-best 46 sacks behind Ryans' play-calling. They want more of that on the back end, too.

As the AFC South improves with recent moves made by Jacksonville and Tennessee, Houston isn't promised the crown next winter. Moves like these, however, could give the franchise a head start in the race for first place entering Week 1.