The Houston Texans defense can use playmakers at every level, but secondary may be where they find the best value in the 2022 NFL draft.
According to Luke Easterling from the Draft Wire, who released his latest mock ahead of the NFL Scouting Combine, the Texans choose to bolster the secondary by taking Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton with the No. 3 overall pick.
The Lovie Smith era starts with a defensive stud here, though passing on Kayvon Thibodeaux might raise some eyebrows. Yes, pass rushers tend to be valued more highly than safeties, but Hamilton is simply the better overall prospect, and has the skill set to impact the game in just as many ways.
Not only do the Texans get a playmaker at safety, but they pick up one of the better cornerbacks in the draft with Auburn’s Roger McCreary at No. 37 overall in Round 2. Adding McCreary would give the Texans two impact players in the secondary as they attempt to finish the rebuild on defense.
In Round 3, the Texans use their first selection at No. 68 overall to take LSU linebacker Damone Clark. With their second selection of the round at No. 80 overall, Houston goes with Boston College offensive lineman Alec Lindstrom.
The Jacksonville Jaguars lead off the draft taking Alabama tackle Evan Neal. The Detroit Lions follow up with the selection of Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. While the Texans take Hamilton, the New York Jets immediately grab Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux. The first quarterback off the board is Liberty’s Malik Willis at No. 6 overall to the Carolina Panthers.