The Houston Texans picked up an extra first-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft as part of their compensation package for trading Deshaun Watson to the Cleveland Browns.
As a result, there will be a bevy of new mock drafts rolling out reflecting the Texans’ dual first-round selections.
According to Trevor Sikkema from Pro Football Focus, the Texans bolster their edge defense with the selection of Georgia’s Travon Walker at No. 3 overall.
Walker made Combine history with his 4.51-second 40-yard dash at 272 pounds. And that’s on top of his 6-foot-5 height and has 35.5-inch arms. It truly feels like he was built in a lab. Though he doesn’t have the pass-rush production that usually warrants a pick this high, we know the league loves him.
What compelled Houston to take Walker was the fact the Jacksonville Jaguars took Aidan Hutchinson No. 1 overall, and the Detroit Lions selected safety Kayle Hamilton immediately thereafter. Defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux, who has previously been linked to Houston, went No. 9 overall to the Seattle Seahawks.
With the Texans’ second selection in Round 1 at No. 13 overall, Houston addresses their cornerback situation with Washington’s Trent McDuffie.
The Texans have a glaring need at cornerback. McDuffie may be a tad undersized, but it’s so easy to love his game. His inside-out versatility and his style of play has been compared to Ronde Barber. Lovie Smith knows that kind of player very well.
In the four picks after Houston takes McDuffie, the Baltimore Ravens select Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis. Another Georgia defensive tackle goes off the board the very next pick with Devonte Wyatt to the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles also pick up Arkansas receiver Treylon Burks on the next pick. At No. 17 overall, the Los Angeles Chargers take Northern Iowa tackle Trevor Penning.
With Houston having two selections in the top-15 of the draft, it does allow general manager Nick Caserio to make selections that could bolster one side of the ball.