The Houston Texans possess the No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft. Some mock drafts have the Texans in position to grab either Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson or Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux. Others have the Texans missing out on both of them and having to go address the offensive line or the secondary with their third overall pick.
According to Luke Easterling from the Draft Wire, the Texans are in position to take one of the two best pass rushers in the draft and bolster their edge defense.
The Texans are in prime position to land a blue-chip prospect no matter how the first two picks go, and this scenario gives them a player many thought would be the consensus No. 1 overall pick for much of the year. Thibodeaux was banged up a bit this season, and still needs some development, but his ceiling is through the roof.
If the Texans get Thibodeaux, where do they go from there?
In Round 2 (No. 37 overall), the Texans go young at running back and grab Texas A&M’s Isaiah Spiller.
With their first Round 3 selection (No. 68 overall), Houston addresses cornerback with Alabama’s Josh Jobe.
With Houston’s second Round 3 pick (No. 80 overall), which was gained through the Bradley Roby trade with the New Orleans Saints, the Texans take Illinois safety Kerby Joseph.
At this point in the draft, the Texans would have enough of a young defensive core to build around. With Thibodeaux, paired with Jonathan Greenard in his third season, the Texans would have a pass rush tandem to strike fear into the heart of opposing coordinators. Houston would need Jobe and Joseph to develop quickly to allow them a chance to play stiff defense on the back end and not give up big plays.
The draft is April 28-30 in Las Vegas.