Draft an Identity: The Run Stopping Texans

If the Houston Texans want to build a defense that shuts down the run, which is the bread and butter of the AFC South, here is the draft to do it.

This week, the Texans Wire has explored the very obvious fact that Houston has a chance to totally transform their roster with the amount of draft capital they have in the 2022 NFL draft.

They could run the ball more efficiently. The Houston Texans could create a No-Fly Zone. Houston could even build entirely around Davis Mills. 

However, no draft identity plays quite as well to the strengths of the AFC South and leans into a “Best Player Available” regimen than a purpose that hasn’t been explored yet. What if Houston sold out to stop the run in 2022?

The Texans play in a division with two of the most run-oriented teams in the entire NFL. The Tennessee Titans have created their entire identity around running back Derrick Henry the past few years and Jonathan Taylor is emerging as the best back in the NFL for the Indianapolis Colts. Any path to the playoffs for Houston, at least in the near future, will revolve around stopping these teams and their run heavy schematics.

Fortunately, this draft has excellent talent towards the attacking the run. Using picks Nos. 3, 13, 37 and 67, Houston could quickly make life difficult for Taylor and others while finding foundational building blocks for their defense.

Here’s how general manager Nick Caserio could start to force the mediocre AFC South quarterbacks to win games instead of their stud running backs.