By: Jack Brentnall

As a result of the Deshaun Watson trade, the Texans now find themselves with two first-round picks in the 2022 Draft. They have acquired the Browns’ pick at No. 13 overall and have a number of potential options at that spot. Here are three players they should consider.

Garrett Wilson – WR, Ohio State

There is no guarantee that Wilson will still be on the board at No. 13, but if he is the Texans should sprint the card in. They have signaled their intent to build around second-year quarterback Davis Mills, and there is no better way to do that than surrounding him with talented receivers. As things stand, their leading receivers are Brandin Cooks, and last year’s third-round pick Nico Collins.

Wilson would be an immediate starter and offers a true WR1 skillset. His release package is amongst the best in this year’s class and he has shown the ability to win consistently against press coverage. He is also one of the most refined route running prospects you will find, with the ability to routinely create separation at the top of his routes. Both of these traits are vital to translate collegiate success to the NFL level.

Wilson also offers some of the best hands in this years draft class. He is comfortable working outside his frame and showcases excellent body control near the sidelines, logging just 11 drops on 154 career catchable targets. All of this makes him an easy projection to the NFL level and he can be an impact player as a rookie.

Derek Stingley – CB, LSU

The Texans defense was a mess in 2021, particularly in coverage. They ranked 22nd in passing DVOA and 25th in EPA allowed per dropback. Their two starting boundary corners allowed over 1,200 combined yards and eight touchdowns and ranked 117th and 122nd in PFF coverage grade. Getting more talent at the position is an obvious priority, and Stingley would give them just that.

Whilst he might be a riskier pick than Wilson, Stingley potentially offers a much higher reward. A former five-star recruit, Stingley earned All-American honors in his true freshman season at LSU, establishing a reputation as the best cornerback in college football. Injuries have limited his impact since, playing less than 300 coverage snaps over the past two seasons.

Concerns about his durability have seen him drop from a consensus top five player to a prospect who could realistically be in play at No. 13. If he is able to get healthy, Stingley offers everything the Texans could want at the position. He is an elite athlete, running a 4.3 40-yard dash and recording a 42″ vertical. He is comfortable in man and zone, and excelled playing in press coverage. Stingley is also a ball hawk, with 26 forced incompletions throughout his college career.

Nakobe Dean – LB, Georgia

Linebacker might not be the flashiest position on defense, but it is a big need for the Texans. Benardrick McKinney and Zach Cunningham both moved on in 2021, leaving a huge void at the position waiting to be filled. Houston got by with the combination of Christian Kirksey and Kamu Grugier-Hill, who ranked 61st and 74th in PFF grade amongst linebackers respectively. With only Kirksey returning for 2022, they really need added reinforcements.

Dean can be a difference maker on this defense from day one. Whilst he might not be the biggest or quickest linebacker in this class, his combination of quick feet and instincts give him legitimately impressive play speed. He was an integral part of Georgia’s title-winning defense thanks to his excellent run defense and reliable open-field tackling.

Dean is also one of the best blitzers at the position, with 31 pressures and eight sacks in 2021. His ability in coverage also projects well to the next level and he allowed a passer rating of just 43.3 in 2021. This ranked second amongst all Power Five linebackers. Dean can be a solid contributor for the Texans as a rookie and a tone-setter on a defense that needs substantial improvement.

The post Best 3 draft options for the Texans in the first round appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Tom Rodriguez

The NFL season is coming to a close and most franchises will begin looking towards the players that they need to lead their franchise to future prominence. The 2022 NFL draft is unlike one we have seen in quite some time. It has gotten much less talk than in past classes. The main reason for that is the quarterbacks. They’re bad. We have been spoiled by talented passers for years and now it’s time for a much less “sexy” draft. This is an overwhelming “eat your vegetables” draft. Many of the better players play in the trenches, which is where many teams believe you should start building your roster from. On the outside, there are a nice crop of defensive backs and wide receivers as well. It may be weak at quarterback and running back, but the 2022 class featured plenty of elite prospects. With that being said, the top five of this draft is sure to be exciting. Here’s a quick mock of the top five!

Disclaimer

This order is the current NFL draft order (before the final week of the regular season has been played). Also, this mock draft is predictive, not what I would do.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan

As stated previously, this mock is predictive, not opinionated. Aidan Hutchinson would not be my “EDGE1” as of right now (Hell, he may not even be my EDGE2 right now). However, the NFL seems to be big fans of the Wolverines’ pass rusher. With fourteen sacks and two forced fumbles in 2021, Hutchinson was one of the most dominant players in the country. Jacksonville already has Josh Allen coming off the edge, but have yet to find him a true partner. With a big swing and a miss on 2020 first round pick K’Lavon Chaisson so far.

Detroit Lions: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon

Billed as the consensus best player in the class back in the Summer, Oregon pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux did not have the dominant season that many expected him to. Most of that was because of an early season injury that caused him to miss some time. With the best traits of the entire EDGE class, he’s the perfect pick for a rebuilding team that is looking to add some high level talent on defense. Detroit showed some signs of life this season, and Thibodeaux turning into the player we all expect him to be would go a long way in expediting their timeline.

Houston Texans: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama

The wisest thing for the Houston Texans to do with Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal is to do what was done to Laremy Tunsil as a rookie. Who better to help Neal come along than Tunsil himself. With the Miami Dolphins in 2016, Tunsil played guard while Miami was waiting for Brandon Albert’s contract to finish. In 2017, Tunsil was then moved back to his natural position of left tackle. Neal has guard experience and can form a formidable left side in 2022 with Tunsil. The Texans may be heading into full rebuild mode and move off of some veterans soon. Deshaun Watson will be traded soon for a cavalcade of draft picks. The high priced Tunsil may be on the move after that. Neal, a towering mauler at left tackle brings more natural strength to this franchise than they currently have. A little raw in pass protection, Neal is not a perfect prospect. However, he has the traits and position versatility to warrant a top three selection.

New York Jets: Derek Stingley, CB, LSU

It’s high time to address the cornerback room in the Big Apple. The Jets corner room is about as uninspiring as any in the league. There are some encouraging youngsters in Bryce Hall and Brandon Echols. However, the AFC East currently runs through Buffalo and that means two things: 1. You have to deal with Stefon Diggs and 2. You have to deal with as many four and five wide receiver sets as anyone else. Derek Stingley, a high caliber athlete and potential lockdown corner is the best option to deal with those realities. Stingley burst onto the scene in the Tigers undefeated 2019 season with six interceptions as a true freshman. However, injuries and game cancellations limited him to just ten starts in the last two years. Stingley has been on the NFL radar for some time and should expect to be picked rather high.

New York Giants: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame

Pick good football players. Many people will have Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton as their top rated player in the class. That billing would be entirely justified. Hamilton does it all and that isn’t hyperbole. Coverage, run fits, tackling, athleticism; there’s nothing he can’t do. Now, would current Giants general manager Dave Gettleman make this pick? Unlikely. However, the Giants are likely to have a new man in charge very soon! If that’s the case, you would hope it is someone young whose football mind is adapting with the times, or in simpler terms, the antithesis of Gettleman. How likely is that hire to be made? From the owner who is in heavy support of the new taunting rule, it also feels unlikely. We can always dream.

The post NFL Mock Draft: Top 5 selections appeared first on Pro Football Mania.