Tag: Houston Texans draft

Watch: Highlights of new Texans CB Kamari Lassiter

The Houston Texans made Georgia defensive back Kamari Lassiter the 42 overall pick, addressing an area of need in the secondary for the upcoming 2024 season.

The Houston Texans made sure to hit a home run with their first pick of the 2024 NFL draft. One could say the Texans landed an “Alpha Dawg.”

Houston selected Georgia defensive back Kamari Lassiter with the No. 42 overall pick in the second round Friday evening. Lassiter was one of several cornerbacks linked to the Texans from the jump given his play style and demeanor. 

Lassiter, 21, started the previous two seasons for the Bulldogs and was a factor during his freshman campaign en route to winning a national title over Alabama. He his draft stock took a tumble after running a 4.65 40-time at his pro day.

While the speed was a concern, his on-field play left little for teams to complain about. According to Pro Football Focus, opponents targeted Lassiter 39 times, in which he allowed 15 receptions.

Lassiter only allowed 136 receiving yards and zero touchdowns during his final season in Athens. Opposing quarterbacks had a 48.7 passer rating when going after the 6-foot corner in coverage.

Lassiter was a part of a four-pick run on defensive backs. Philadelphia and New Orleans moved ahead of Houston and selected Cooper DeJean and Kool-Aid McKinstry. The Texans picked Lassiter, and the Cardinals followed with Rutgers DB Max Melton.

The Texans needed a cornerback, and free agent signings Jeff Okudah and CJ Henderson expect to compete for the starting role opposite third-year star Derek Stingley Jr. Both signings are for one year, so Lassiter may sit for a year or move to nickel or safety.

“I feel like I can play anywhere. Texans fans you’re getting the ultimate competitor,” Lassiter said to KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson. “I look forward to playing for coach Ryans.”

VIDEO: What should the Houston Texans do with their two first-round picks?

Doug Farrar and Kyle Madson put on their GM hats, and determine what the Houston Texans should do with their two first-round picks in the 2023 NFL draft.

The Houston Texans have the second-overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, and they also have the 12th overall pick from the Cleveland Browns as part of the Deshaun Watson trade. Here, Doug Farrar and Kyle Madson put on their GM hats for Houston general manager Nick Caserio, and determine what the Texans should do with that draft capital.

Doug: The first thing the Texans need to do is to avail themselves of the best quarterback available. I think C.J. Stroud goes first overall to the Panthers, who traded up with the Bears for that top pick, and the Texans get Bryce Young. Young is far from a consolation prize – he has all the attributes you want in a franchise quarterback, and I don’t think his size is as much a problem as some might. 

Then, you go get Young the best receiver possible with that 12th pick. Houston also has the 33rd, 65th, and 73rd picks in this draft, so I wouldn’t be opposed to them moving up to get that receiver if there’s one they really love. I like Ohio State’s Jaxson Smith-Njigba best in this draft class, and I have him going 10th overall to the Eagles in my latest mock draft, and I have Houston taking TCU’s Quentin Johnston 12th overall. If there’s one thing Young struggles with at times, it’s throwing deep over the middle, so let’s give him a huge target with massive after-catch potential. 

Kyle: Yeah, they’re a QB at No. 2 team for sure and Young is the player I’m going with as well. He’s a culture-changer, I think and his ability to create outside of his first read should make him a quickly impactful player for the Texans. Guys like Will Levis and Anthony Richardson have the crazy tools, but man, Young is definitely gonna be a dude in the NFL. 

At 12 I feel less strongly about the need for a receiver. At the rate WRs develop and produce in the NFL now, I think you can afford to just take the best available player here regardless of position. Maybe Georgia DL Jalen Carter or Christian Gonzalez the CB from Oregon slide. Maybe it’s CB Devon Witherspoon from Illinois or Georgia DE Nolan Smith. I’m not super picky here for the Texans. They need help at every level on both sides of the ball. I totally understand the need to get Young some help, but that’s something I think they can accomplish with their glut of picks on Day 2. 

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4-Down Territory: What should the four teams with two first-round picks do with them?

In this week’s “4-Down Territory,” Doug Farrar and Kyle Madson play GM for the four teams with two first-round picks in the 2023 NFL draft.

In this week’s “4-Down Territory,” Kyle Madson of Niners Wire and Doug Farrar of Touchdown Wire put on their general manager hats for the Houston Texans, the Seattle Seahawks, the Detroit Lions, and the Philadelphia Eagles — the four teams currently with two first-round picks in the 2023 NFL draft.

00:00 – Intro

01:35 – How do you think the Houston Texans should spend their assets?

06:32 – How should the Seattle Seahawks spend the kind of draft capital?

13:51 – What would be the best course of action for the Detroit Lions?

22:51 – How should the Philadelphia Eagles use these picks to set its course for another Super Bowl?

Doug often refers to his latest mock draft in this video. You can find that link below…

2023 NFL Mock draft: Lamar Jackson, Aaron Rodgers traded in latest three-round projection

…and you can watch this week’s “4-Down Territory” right here:

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