Texans 7th-round rookie could be a sleeper draft pick

The Texans drafted nine rookies in the 2024 NFL Draft and added six more as undrafted free agents after the draft.

Rookie minicamp begins on May 10 in Houston — the first chance the team and its fans will have to see the new players.

Much will be written and said about the Texans' early picks of Kamari Lassiter , Blake Fisher , Calen Bullock and Cade Stover . But there's a good chance the Texans found a late-round sleeper in defensive tackle Marcus Harris out of Auburn.

Texans 7th-round rookie could be a sleeper draft pick

Harris is a perfect fit for head coach DeMeco Ryans. Harris attacks and is relentless — attributes Ryans covets at the position Those are the defining traits of Harris as a prospect. Harris is a little undersized at almost 6-foot-2.5 and 286 pounds, but Ryans has already said on record that he’s seen guys do what he wants done at the defensive tackle position at 280, 290 and even 315 pounds.

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Throw Harris’ measurements out the window now as those are pre-draft talking points. All that matters once a prospect is rostered is if he can perform.

Harris can even get on the field early as a seventh-round draft pick because of the defensive tackle depth chart, which lacks premier talent. Denico Autry and Foley Fatukasi should see a lot of work with Tim Settle as one of the first to rotate in. Behind that trio, Harris will compete with Khalil Davis, Mario Edwards, Kurt Hinish and Pheldarius Payne for top backup reps. Davis should win top backup with Settle out of camp but throughout the season, Harris will start to eat into the backup reps.

Harris plays the defensive tackle position like the players who earn the most money in free agency. Defensive tackles have drastically closed the gaps on defensive ends in top-of-the-market contract money. Harris is a huge value as a late-Day 3 pick and has the potential to blossom into a starter in a few years at a position in Houston that doesn’t have a full-fledged starter with long-term staying power.

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Marcus Harris prospect profile notes

• Played top-level competition in SEC
• Disruptor! Blows up plays and opens it for teammates
• Plays with great balance, rarely on the ground. When he is, instantly back up
• Explosive player that pops off the line at the snap of the ball
• Gets low when he fires out of his stance to shock opposing linemen
• Powerful player that blends strength with balance to carry lineman’s weight
• An effort player that works to factor into the play to the whistle
• Played out of position, did whatever was asked and still produced
• Violent player that fights to get free. Physical chop and swats.
• Passionate player that gets fired up after making an impact
• Fights out of downblocks with a balanced spin move
• Ability to knife through holes with quickness and agility
• Shows great backside pursuit
• Quick and decisive on RPO action

Marcus Harris NFL Combine results

• Height: 6-foot-2
• Weight: 286 pounds
• 40-yard dash : 5.06 seconds, 1.77 10-yard split
• Vertical jump: 29.5 inches
• Broad jump : 8-foot-7
• Bench press: 27 reps

Marcus Harris Pro Day results

• 3-cone drill: 7.78 seconds
• Short shuttle: 4.69 seconds
• Bench press: 34 reps

Marcus Harris college stats

Marcus Harris NFL comps