The Houston Texans are in a rebuilding mode and possess plenty of team needs. Here’s how Texans general manager Nick Caserio can improve the team in the NFL Draft.
Houston Texans team needs in the 2022 NFL Draft
The Texans can improve dramatically at multiple spots considering they have 11 overall selections, a pair of first-round draft picks — including the third and 13th overall picks — and five selections in the top 80.
Defensive End
Jonathan Greenard led the Texans with a career-high 8 sacks last season. He’s a dynamic rusher, but they need help to go with him to bolster a group that includes Jordan Jenkins, Derek Rivers, Demone Harris, and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo. It doesn’t help they lost Jacob Martin in free agency to the New York Jets.
The Texans ranked fifth-worst in the league last season with 32 sacks. Clearly, they need a real pass rusher to go with Greenard to spark a 4-3 defense that rarely blitzes.
The Texans are looking at pass rushers in the draft, including Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux and Georgia’s Travon Walker — both of whom visited with the team –, as well as Florida State’s Jermaine Johnson II.
Offensive Line
The Texans have Laremy Tunsil and Tytus Howard under contract, but they haven’t decided if they’ll secure Howard with a fifth-year option or if Tunsil will remain on the roster after next season.
With this in mind, Houston has evaluated multiple players across the offensive line, including North Carolina State’s Ikem Ekwonu and Alabama’s Evan Neal.
Cornerback
The Texans lack talent at cornerback with the exception of new starting corner Steven Nelson. While they have Lonnie Johnson Jr. back, he does struggle with penalties. Nickel back Tavierre Thomas and cornerback Desmond King are coming off solid seasons.
Houston has thoroughly evaluated the cornerback position in the draft, including meeting with Cincinnati’s Ahmad Gardner and LSU’s Derek Stingley Jr.
Wide Receiver
Houston could use a reliable wide receiver to go with speedster Brandin Cooks and possession wideout Nico Collins.
The Texans could upgrade the position by drafting Georgia’s George Pickens, USC’s Drake London, one of Ohio State’s duo of Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, or Arkansas’ Treylon Burks.
Safety
The Texans lost Justin Reid in free agency to the Kansas City Chiefs. They return Eric Murray, Jonathan Owens, Terrence Brooks, and Grayland Arnold, as well as signed M.J. Stewart in free agency.
Even with Reid on the roster last season, Houston still ranked last in the NFL in the secondary. They brought in Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton, a potential first-round draft pick, for a visit. Additionally, they could look at Daxton Hill at the top of Round 2.