Najja Johnson

Draft Updates: Texans, Browns, Carr, Watkins

After declaring yesterday that he knew who the Texans would pick first overall, GM Rick Smith added a caveat today when he spoke to reporters, including Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle: “I don’t know exactly who we will take. What I do know is, I know the order of our board. If we take the first pick, we know who we want.”

In other words, Houston has a good idea which player it will grab if it doesn’t trade down, but the team remains very much open for business. According to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter), at least four teams have inquired on that No. 1 pick, but as McClain notes, checking in on the Texans and being ready to consummate a deal with them are two very different things.

Here are a few more Thursday draft updates:

  • It seems as if one way to forecast which teams might draft Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr is figuring out which clubs are expressing interest in his older brother. According to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer (Twitter link), David Carr said the Browns are one of about six teams that have talked to him about signing him if they draft the younger Carr.
  • Many of the teams interested in Clemson wideout Sammy Watkins view him as a potential impact kick returner as well, says Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).
  • Buffalo cornerback Najja Johnson visited the Falcons and has worked out for the Chargers and Colts, a league source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post.
  • The Rams and Patriots worked out SMU quarterback Garrett Gilbert this week, tweets agent Leigh Steinberg.