Texans add San Jose St running back Ervin in fourth round
HOUSTON (AP) -- The Houston Texans have selected offensive players in each of the first four rounds of the draft, adding receivers Will Fuller and Braxton Miller, center Nick Martin and running back Tyler Ervin.
They boosted their offense when they signed quarterback Brock Osweiler and running back Lamar Miller in free agency. But they wanted more playmakers alongside Pro Bowl receiver DeAndre Hopkins last season.
They did that in the first round with the speedy Fuller, who ran a 4.32 40-yard dash at the combine, and Miller, a former Ohio State quarterback who converted to receiver. Martin, a second-round pick, could start after Houston lost center Ben Jones in free agency.
They stayed with offense in the fourth round, adding San Jose State's Ervin with the 119th pick. Ervin ran for 1,601 yards with 13 touchdowns last season after rushing for 888 yards and four scores in 2014. He's also a threat out of the backfield after grabbing 74 receptions for 640 yards combined in the last two years.
Ervin, who also saw limited action at cornerback, could find a place in Houston's return game after finishing his college career with 2,374 return yards and three touchdowns. He left San Jose State as the school's career leader in all-purpose yards with 6,146 yards.
"People that are able to do a couple more things than their natural position are always going to be valuable," he said. "So I've always prided myself of trying to do as much as I can on the field so it's paid off and hopefully I can continue to contribute."
The Texans have placed a premium on speed in this draft. Ervin ran a 4.41 40-yard dash, to become the third player they've drafted this season to run a 4.5 or faster. Miller, who was a two-time Big Ten player of the year at quarterback, was clocked at 4.5 in the 40.
