[3rd round #80] Martinas Rankin, OL, Mississippi State

ESPN: Rankin, who made 19 starts at left tackle the past two seasons, has good initial quickness and enough short-area agility to mirror-and-slide as an interior lineman in the NFL. The more space he is in, the less effective he becomes, and his arms (33 3/4 inches is a red flag at tackle) mean Rankin might have to move inside to guard or center in the NFL.

The Texans have a pressing need at tackle, where they could play Rankin as he started 19 games at left tackle over the past two seasons. However, he doesn't have ideal length for a tackle and projects better on the inside. -- Steve Muench

Rotoworld: Texans selected Mississippi State OL Martina Rankin with the No. 80 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft. Rankin (6’4/308) spent two years as a Bulldog after transferring from JUCO, mainly manning left tackle and earning first-team All-SEC from the conference’s coaches as a senior. Old-ish for a rookie (24 in October) but exceptionally bright, Rankin twice earned SEC Academic Honor Roll and has dabbled at all five positions on the line. Most NFL scouts viewed Rankin as a guard or even center before the draft. NFL.com O-Line guru Lance Zierlein compared Rankin to underrated Seahawks C Justin Britt. The Texans needed offensive line help, and that's where they went with their first selection in the draft.

CBS Sports: (B+) They have a major need at tackle and he can play either side. I think he needs to be better against speed rushers. | Techician at the left tackle spot at Mississippi State. Sinks his hips and strikes first from a wide base in pass protection, which almost always led to him stymieing different types of rushers. Needs to add weight to play on tackle in the NFL. Impressive leg churn and grip. Rarely caught off balance. Could kick inside to guard. Doesn't wow athletically but NFL-ready from fundamental standpoint.

SI: (B+) Martinas Rankin | T | MISSISSIPPI STATE
The Texans HAD to find some offensive tackles to protect the franchise quarterback for whom they traded away this year’s first-round pick last spring. Rankin has a chance to play in Week 1.

Scouting Report: A late-September ankle injury derailed his senior season, but Rankin showed a solid all-around skill set when healthy. He’s technically sound and has enough athleticism to hold up pass-protecting on an island, one of the higher-floor tackle prospects in this class.