2015 NFL Mock Draft: Texans take Landon Collins at #16 overall

The APC mock draft rolls along this weekend, and our Ryan Bissell is on the clock for the Houston Texans with the 16th overall pick. The Texans finished Bill O'Brien's first season in Houston at a surprising 8-8, thanks in large part to the play of MVP candidate and Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt.

With some question marks on the back half of the defense and at skill positions on offense, the Texans still have plenty of places to improve in the 2015 NFL Draft, however. With the 16th pick of the APC Mock Draft, Ryan and the Texans select...

Landon Collins, safety, Alabama

Height: 6 feet
Weight: 228 pounds
Combine 40 time: 4.53 seconds

Here's Ryan on the pick:

The Texans need to improve in the secondary if they plan on contending with Andrew Luck for the division title. They took a step toward doing that with the offseason acquisition of Rahim Moore and I think it will be tough for them to pass on Landon Collins, who will most likely be available with the 16th pick. Collins is an explosive run defender who is capable in coverage. The former free-safety looks like a linebacker but has the closing speed and ball skills to contend with receivers and tight ends. He led the Crimson Tide in interceptions (3) and tackles (103) last season.

The only argument against this pick is that Collins would cut into the playing time of D.J. Swearinger. However, the hard-hitting Swearinger was actually one of the worst safeties in the NFL against the run last season. According to Pro Football Focus, Swearinger ranked 172nd among 181 rated safeties in terms of run defense in 2014. Collins has shown some inconsistencies in coverage, primarily against Ole Miss last season when he was beaten for two long touchdowns. He isn’t strictly a box safety, although he will be more productive the closer he is to the line of scrimmage. He would be an excellent complement to Rahim Moore, who excels in coverage and would enable Collins to be aggressive against the run.