The Houston Texans are entering the 2022 NFL draft with great expectations — and that was before they picked up an extra selection in Round 1.
The Texans proprietary selection at No. 3 overall warrants them an opportunity to add a dynamic player to their roster. Some mock drafts have had the Texans going with Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux, others have Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad Gardner going to Houston.
According to Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus, who released his latest mock draft, the Texans use their first of two selections to take Georgia defensive end Travon Walker.
Walker is a rare athlete in a sport of rare athletes. Of the 12 primary physical and athletic measurables, Walker doesn’t rank lower than the 72nd percentile in any while ranking in the 94th percentile or better in at least half of them. He is an NFL edge rusher drawn up in a laboratory who hasn’t had the production of one at the college level. Georgia’s defense lined him up inside a lot more than other prospects, and it certainly explains some of Walker’s lack of production, but it doesn’t get you all the way there. A team such as Houston will be banking that it can help him reach his sky-high potential because 60 pressures in three years won’t cut it.
PFF’s mock draft simulator gives the Texans a B- grade for taking Walker.
Here is the interesting part about the Walker selection. The very next spot, the New York Jets are on the clock and take Gardner, which earns them an A- grade according to the mock draft simulator.
Why wouldn’t general manager Nick Caserio go with the better pick in Gardner? On the basis of need, the Texans presumably have a No. 1 edge rusher on the roster in Jonathan Greenard as the defensive end plays out his rookie contract. The Texans’ defense lacks a dominant cornerback, and Gardner would immediately fill that need.
Adding an edge rusher such as Walker to the roster would help Houston, but they may not do it early at No. 3 overall if they have a chance to take a gamebreaking defensive back like Gardner.
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