The Houston Texans need help everywhere heading into 2022.
One area where the Texans could instantly upgrade with two picks in the 2022 NFL draft is in the secondary. Some mocks have the Texans taking Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton with the No. 3 overall pick.
While much attention is given to the fact Houston’s 4-13 record scored them a top-5 pick in the draft, it also provided them with a top-5 pick in the second round. At pick No. 37, Houston has as close to another first-round pick as you can get.
Who can Houston take in that range to complete the overhaul of their secondary?
Enter Auburn cornerback Roger McCreary. Although the 6-0, 190-pound defensive back is projected to go in the bottom portion of the first round, if McCreary gets passed over for other needs, he could be available for the Texans.
Luke Easterling from the Draft Wire was able to visit with McCreary, and the former Auburn product gave a glimpse into how he plays as a cornerback.
Pre-snap, I look at down and distance. When I do that, I see what situation I’m in. After that, I look at the receiver alignment; do they own the hash on the outside? Because that can eliminate a lot of routes just by looking at the alignment on the field. When I do that pre-snap, I look at the play, and I’m set on my techniques and what I’m going to do on that play. I got to know my cutback, so that’s another thing, too; my technique. When the receiver comes off the line, depending on the receiver; is he a quick guy, is he a strong guy? Sometimes I’ll be more physical and try to interrupt them at the line of scrimmage. I look at the heels, that’s the main thing. I always look at the heels. If you get beat, that’s the main thing, so I don’t look up. I try my best to look at the heels, and I’d say I do great at that.
It might take Houston using one of their third-round picks to package with their second-rounder to move up to McCreary. However, as general manager Nick Caserio showed in his first draft last season, if there is a player they believe can help, they will make the move to get him.