Sometimes the best things come to those who wait, and the Houston Texans hope their late-round draft picks turn out to be underrated sleepers who break out in the 2024 NFL season. They grabbed Solomon Byrd and Marcus Harris in the seventh round of the draft, and both players have the potential to outshine their draft portrait easily.
Byrd is a 6-foot-3, 255-pound edge rusher from USC, turning to the pro ranks after a six-year career in college. The first four were at Wyoming, but Byrd turned it up with the Trojans by collecting 10 sacks, 18 tackles for loss, and forcing five fumbles.
Meanwhile, Harris did business for Auburn University. During his senior year, he used his 6-2, 286-pound frame to shed blocks and rack up 7.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles. The Texans could be entertaining postseason guests if both players become weekly contributors.
Texans DE Solomon Byrd has that look
Auburn Tigers defensive lineman Marcus Harris (50) runs drills during Auburn Football Pro Day at the Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. © Jake Crandall / USA TODAY NETWORK
Byrd is an intriguing player. While he is considered marginal as a run defender, he possesses the ability to win off the edge. That’s a precious commodity in NFL circles.
Byrd collected seven sacks with 41 total pressures for the Trojans last year. And he will get to learn from one of the league’s best as the Texans bagged super-rusher Danielle Hunter to a two-year, $49 million contract.
Also, Byrd hasn’t been moaning about being picked late. In fact, he said he’ tickled to be in Texas.
“I’m extremely excited,” he said. “I’ve seen what they did last year with the d-line. They’ve got something cooking, for sure.”
And Byrd said he wants to get in the kitchen with the other fellas.
“I’m a dynamic pass rusher and I think I can add that,” Byrd said. “I think I have a plethora of moves. The thing for me is, I need to get really, really good at one of them.”
He’s third on the depth chart at left defensive end, so there’s plenty of room to grow.
DL Harris fits DeMeco Ryans’ scheme
Marcus Harris is considered a player with a non-stop motor and an aggressive, even violent, on-field nature. That makes him a good puzzle piece for Ryans, the Texans’ head coach.
As a prospect, Harris was noted for being a disruptor who blows up plays. His tremendous balance keeps him upright. And he blends the balance with strength to make him effective.
His size isn’t ideal for an NFL defensive end, but the Texans seems to visualize him as a potential starter down the road.
Harris told houstontexans.com he is basically a lunch-pail guy.
“I’m a physical, hard-working defensive lineman that likes to make plays behind the line of scrimmage,” Harris said.
Also, Harris’ success against Southeastern Conference competition bodes well.
“That just shows me that I can do it at the next level,” he said. “I feel like the SEC is the hardest division in college. I think playing in the SEC was huge for me.”
Certianly Texans fans are excited about first-round draft pick Kamari Lassiter, a cornerback out of Georgia. They are also high on second-round pick Blake Fisher, and offensive tackle from Notre Dame.
But even though Houston grabbed those guys — along with Caden Bullock, Cade Stover, Jamal Hill and Jawhar Jordan — before getting Byrd and Harris, there’s plenty of optimism left over.
This could be a special season in Houston. Byrd and Harris could go a long way toward helping that happen.
