The Houston Texans have a myriad of directions they can go with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft. As such, that means the rest of the Texans’ draft, the second with general manager Nick Caserio, has a variety of paths it can take.
If the Texans choose to use their first-round pick to address edge rusher or even take an offensive lineman, they still may be able to pick up a decent safety.
According to Daniel Jeremiah from NFL.com, one player who had an outstanding week at the Senior Bowl was Baylor safety Jalen Pitre.
I was impressed with what Pitre did in coverage this week, especially when matched up against tight ends, who have a big size advantage over him (Pitre measured 5-10, 196). He’s instinctive and was able to get his hands on some footballs. He looked like a starting NFL safety, and his production last season stood out. He was the only player in the Big 12 with 10-plus tackles for loss and two-plus interceptions.
Pitre provided Baylor with 75 combined tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two interceptions, seven pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries through 14 games in 2021.
Pro Football Focus has Pitre rated as their 57th-best player on their big board — at least, that was their ranking before the Senior Bowl. If Pitre improved his draft stock over the course of Senior Bowl week, that would be enough to sneak him closer to the first round. As long as Pitre is an early second-round selection, the Texans have a shot at him with their No. 37 overall pick in Round 2.
The next event in the “underwear Olympics” of the predraft process is the NFL combine. If Pitre’s stock continues to rise, or other highly valued targets taken on a few red marks, it could push him further into the first round and out of the Texans’ reach, presuming they try to use their second-round pick to grab him.