Category: 2022 NFL draft

Houston Texans 2022 NFL draft target: Ohio State DT Haskell Garrett

If the Houston Texans are looking for a long-term solution at defensive tackle, Ohio State DT Haskell Garrett could be the solution.

The Houston Texans have immediate solutions at defensive tackle with Maliek Collins and Brandon Dunn. They may even have long-term solutions on the roster with Auzoyah Alufohai, Ross Blacklock, and Charles Omenihu, who has versatility both inside and outside.

However, if the 2021 season reveals the Texans need more help at the three-technique defensive tackle in defensive coordinator Lovie Smith’s Tampa 2 scheme, Ohio State’s Haskell Garrett is a player they need to consider.

According to Michael Renner of Pro Football Focus, Garrett is the fifth-best interior defensive lineman in the 2022 NFL draft.

With the depth along the Ohio State defensive line in recent years, there’s no shame in the fact that it took until Garrett’s redshirt junior year in 2020 to crack into the starting lineup. It was most certainly worth the wait because Garrett was one of the most impactful defensive tackles in America last season. He’s a slightly undersized defensive tackle at 6-foot-2, 299 pounds, and looks likely to be a 3-technique at the next level. With his quicks and the way he uses his hands, Garrett can succeed in such a role.

While we don’t have too many questions about him impacting the passer after putting up an 88.9 pass-rushing grade in 2020, the question will be how he holds up in the run game. He cedes ground far too frequently, even in one-on-one situations. It’s why, even at Ohio State, he only took six snaps at the nose all last season. That will scare off some teams who covet more versatile linemen.

Garrett is a redshirt senior who has provided the Buckeyes with 40 combined tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, an interception, which was returned for a touchdown, and two pass breakups through 21 career games.

Smith has also seen Garrett up close as the Texans’ defensive coordinator was the University of Illinois’ head football coach from 2016-20.

Is Treylon Burks the next A.J. Brown?

NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah sees plenty of comparisons between the former and current SEC pass-catchers

The Tennessee Titans got a huge steal when they landed wide receiver A.J. Brown in the second round of the 2019 NFL draft, and any other team in the league would love to grab a pass-catching prospect with a similar skill set.

That being the case, those teams should have their sights set on Arkansas’ Treylon Burks heading into the 2021 college football season.

In his early scouting report, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah drew the comparison between the two SEC receivers:

I remember watching Brown torch the SEC from the slot. Brown is a little more explosive than Burks, but both guys play with tremendous physicality and toughness. They aren’t afraid to work in traffic and they become special once the ball is in their hands. Brown has already established himself as a premier player at his position in the NFL. I don’t believe Burks has quite the same upside, but I see him developing into a solid No. 2 target at the next level.

Burks could cement himself as a first-round lock in the 2022 NFL draft with a strong campaign this fall, and if he ends up being anything like Brown in the pros, he’ll be a bargain if he falls beyond that range like AJB did back in 2019.

To check out Jeremiah’s full breakdown of Burks at NFL.com, click here.

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Steelers go defense over QB in new 2022 mock draft

Would the Steelers draft a cornerback in the first round in 2022?

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By the time the 2022 NFL draft gets here, we will already know the future of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and with him the quarterback position in Pittsburgh. It feels highly unlikely the future Hall of Famer is going to come back in 2022 which would put quarterback squarely on their radar for the 2022 NFL draft.

However, this new mock draft by Sports Illustrated goes in a completely different direction for the Steelers. Despite multiple top-tier quarterbacks on the board, SI opts for Clemson cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. in the first round.

If the Steelers are to continue having one of the best defenses in the NFL, they’ll need to address the cornerback position. Joe Haden turned 36 in April and Pittsburgh doesn’t have much depth. Booth could fix the problems the Steelers currently have. He is a great athlete who improved a tremendous amount as a sophomore. With more playing time next season, he should solidify himself as a first-round pick. 

While I cannot speak on Booth as a player the choice of position is interesting for the Steelers. Based on their history, drafting any cornerback in the first round is a long shot. They’ve done it just once in the last two decades. That pick, Artie Burns turned out to be a horrible fit and a bust for Pittsburgh.

Does this mean there is no way the Steelers draft a cornerback in 2022? I suppose not. However, given the choice of positions, trends would indicate an offensive tackle or even an edge rusher before cornerback if Pittsburgh doesn’t roll the dice on a starting quarterback.

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2022 NFL draft: The case for and against QB1 candidates

Breaking down the pros and cons on some of the top quarterbacks prospects in the 2022 NFL draft class

There doesn’t seem to be a Trevor Lawrence-caliber quarterback prospect in the 2022 NFL draft, but a lot can change between now and next April.

Around this time last year, the likes of Jamie Newman and Brock Purdy were being mocked in the first round of 2021 mock drafts. Zach Wilson was merely a blip on the radar, and Mac Jones had yet to prove himself as a first-round talent. Lawrence, Justin Fields and Trey Lance were all still seen as Round 1 passers, but the overall dynamic of the quarterback class was much different from how the class would actually be selected.

The general consensus leans slightly towards Oklahoma’s Spencer Rattler as the QB1 in the 2022 draft, but he has far from run away with that top spot at this point. There are a handful of other quarterbacks who could project as the top player at his position, and each of them stake a reasonable claim to that title.

Here is the case for and against some of the top QB1 candidates in the 2022 NFL draft:

2022 NFL draft: 3 QB prospects with breakout potential

Breaking down a trio of quarterback prospects who could improve their stock for the 2022 NFL draft with a strong showing in 2021

The 2021 NFL draft is only two months in the rearview mirror, but that doesn’t mean it’s too early to prepare for next year’s draft.

Five quarterbacks were taken in the first round, marking just the second time the feat has been accomplished in the 21st century. While the 2022 draft may not be as highly-touted at the position heading into the upcoming season, there is not shortage of quarterback talent.

The likes of Spencer Rattler and Sam Howell have been consistently ranked among the top returning quarterbacks in college football. Kedon Slovis, JT Daniels and Matt Corral have also seen plenty of hype as gifted, Power 5 signal-callers. Outside of the Power 5, Malik Willis, Carson Strong and Desmond Ridder have made their fair shares of appearances in the first rounds of early 2022 mock drafts.

However, there’s always a quarterback or two that breaks out with a stellar season and shoots up draft boards. While it’s difficult to predict said breakout candidates with incredible precision, there are a handful of quarterbacks with major sleeper potential.

Here are three quarterbacks who could shoot up boards in the 2022 NFL draft:

Houston Texans 2022 NFL draft target: Arkansas WR Treylon Burks

If the Houston Texans want to make their receiving corps younger, they need to look to Arkansas Razorbacks wideout Treylon Burks.

The Houston Texans will have some decisions to make at the end of the 2021 season.

Wideouts Brandin Cooks and Randall Cobb will have potential outs in their contracts. Cooks can be designated a post-June 1 cut, but will have to pay $2.5 million in dead money against the salary cap. Cobb can be cut sooner, but Houston will have to pay a comparable $2.5 million in dead money.

Former 2018 fourth-round pick Keke Coutee will be out of a contract by that point. Chris Conley will also be out of a contract.

The openings for a rookie wideout will be there. What general manager Nick Caserio will have to consider is how much the Texans want to give up to provide a younger complement to 2021 third-round pick Nico Collins.

If the Texans are looking for a playmaker, they ought to keep in mind Arkansas Razorbacks receiver Treylon Burks.

According to NFL.com draft expert Daniel Jeremiah, Burks reminds him of Tennessee Titans receiver A.J. Brown.

He reminds me of: A.J. Brown. I remember watching Brown torch the SEC from the slot. Brown is a little more explosive than Burks, but both guys play with tremendous physicality and toughness. They aren’t afraid to work in traffic and they become special once the ball is in their hands. Brown has already established himself as a premier player at his position in the NFL. I don’t believe Burks has quite the same upside, but I see him developing into a solid No. 2 target at the next level.

Jeremiah also says that Burks has the ability at 6-3, 232 pounds to still be athletic enough to function in jet sweeps and reverses — a la Deebo Samuel with the San Francisco 49ers.

Burks will be tested every week as the Hogs play in the SEC West, which means they will see the likes of Alabama, LSU, and Texas A&M. Arkansas also plays Georgia, which gives Burks another opportunity to go against the best in the conference.

Summer Scouting: Boston College QB Phil Jurokvec

Diving into the play of Boston College quarterback Phil Jurkovec, who could surprise next draft season.

With the 2021 college football season fast approaching the race is on to find the next Joe Burrow. The next Zach Wilson. The next “quarterback riser” to come from virtually nowhere and shock the football world as they rise to the top of the draft board.

Allow me to nominate Boston College quarterback Phil Jurkovec.

The Notre Dame transfer took over as the starting quarterback for the Eagles and flashed some NFL traits in his first year as a starter. In ten games Jurkovec completed 61% of his passes for 2,558 yards and 17 touchdowns against just five interceptions, but beyond the numbers are the traits he showed on film. We’ll dive into those in this video examining plays against Pittsburgh and Clemson:

https://youtu.be/M1vccTXnkBQ

Now, it might not be time to go “all in” on Jurkovec as that QB riser, especially with other talented quarterbacks in this class such as Malik Willis, Carson Strong and more. But on that betting board it might be wise to at least put a chip or two on that maroon “5” on the board. Jurkovec’s pocket management and competitive toughness are two traits that will serve him well next year…and beyond.

Draft Wire has Texans taking edge defender, receiver in latest 2-round mock

The Houston Texans address defensive end and receiver in the latest two-round mock from the Draft Wire.

The Houston Texans go with an edge defender and a receiver in the latest two-round mock from the Draft Wire.

According to Luke Easterling, who used the latest Super Bowl odds as a basis to generate the draft order, the Texans take Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux with the No. 1 overall pick and then Clemson receiver Justyn Ross at No. 33 overall, the first selection in Round 2.

If reality were to play out as the mock draft, it would indicate the organization believes they have solved quarterback. Otherwise, they would have used a pick at the position. In the mock, Liberty quarterback Malik Willis goes No. 2 overall, North Carolina signal caller Sam Howell No. 7 overall, and Oklahoma’s Spencer Rattler No. 9 overall.

Houston drafted Stanford quarterback Davis Mills with their first selection in the 2021 NFL draft at No. 67 overall in Round 3. Mills is working behind former Pro Bowler Tyrod Taylor and former San Francisco 49ers 2016 sixth-round pick Jeff Driskel. It would take tremendous growth throughout the season and a supplanting of Taylor as the starter for Houston to feel comfortable enough to go with an edge defender as the first pick in the draft.

Kayvon Thibodeaux
University of Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

Taking Ross that early in the second round would also be the result of the organization parting ways with either Brandin Cooks, who is a post-June 1 cut dead money hit of $2.5 million, or Randall Cobb, who is a $2 million dead money hit. Receiver Keke Coutee is also entering the final year of his contract in 2021.

Ross at 6-4, 205 pounds would provide the Texans with another big target for the future opposite of Nico Collins, who the club took in the 2021 NFL draft from Michigan.

The fall will ultimately reveal where the Texans pick in April 2022 and whether the players they are projected to take now are worth such draft slots.

East-West Shrine Bowl moved, now part of Pro Bowl week

East-West Shrine Bowl moved, now part of Pro Bowl week:

The East-West Shrine Bowl, the annual college football all-star game, has been moved.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the game has teamed up with the NFL and the date and location of the yearly contest has been switched up.

The game will be moved to Las Vegas and will now be part of the 2022 Pro Bowl week, which is the NFL’s yearly all-star game:

The East-West Shrine Bowl has traditionally been an opportunity for college players to showcase themselves to NFL teams prior to each year’s draft. The most recent one was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the game dates back to 1925.

With the moving of the Shrine Bowl game, the contest is now slated to be played three days prior to the 2022 Pro Bowl. Both games will be played at Allegiant Stadium, home of the Raiders.

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Houston Texans 2022 NFL draft target: South Carolina DE Kingsley Enagbare

If the Houston Texans are looking for an edge defender, South Carolina DE Kingsley Enagbare is a name they should keep in mind.

Edge defense is a long-term question mark for the Houston Texans, and it would have been that way even if the club elected to retain three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt.

With the club shifting to a Tampa 2 scheme with a 4-3 front, the Texans have to change up what they are looking for in an edge defender. For 2021, outside linebackers Whitney Mercilus, Jonathan Greenard, and Jacob Martin will line up in three-point stances along with Shaq Lawson.

However, the Texans may need to find better answers at defensive end going forward.

Enter South Carolina defensive end Kingsley Enagbare. The senior from Atlanta, Georgia, earned all-SEC first-team last season with 6.0 sacks, 7.0 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles through eight games. Enagbare is the second-best edge defender in Pro Football Focus’ early 2022 NFL draft rankings.

Enagbare is a violent 6-foot-4, 260-pound edge rusher who can win with quicks or pure power. He was one of the biggest breakout performers in the SEC last season, going from a 68.4 pass-rushing grade in 2019 to 89.2 in 2020.

Aside from the obvious physical tools Enagbare possesses, his biggest selling point is simply the way he plays the game. The defensive end plays with his hair on fire snap after snap, and it’s not uncommon to see him tracking down quarterbacks outside the pocket or downfield.

We only got to see eight games out of him in 2020, so he’s a player we need to see more of to be truly sold. Enagbare is only scratching the surface of what he can be with more consistency.

The Texans could find themselves in a position where they take a quarterback with a top-5 pick, and still have a top-5 pick in the second round. If Enagbare slips that far, the Texans should consider taking him to provide youth and talent to their defensive line.