Tytus Howard is a rare breed.
The former Alabama State tackle is currently the most recent Houston Texans first-round pick despite entering the fourth year of his career. Such is life when a coach doubles up as general manager and makes “Childhood’s End” type deals to fix roster holes.
However, unlike the Arthur C. Clarke science fiction novel, the children are returning. Following the first day of the 2022 NFL draft starting April 28, Howard won’t be the most current Texans first-round pick. That honor will go to both Houston’s Nos. 3 and 13 overall picks.
Although Howard may be losing a title, he hasn’t lost his message, and underscores the rookies need to be ready to build a competitor.
“I would tell them just come in and get as much knowledge as they can from the guys like me, or the guys who have already been here and just be yourself,” Howard said. “When I came here, I would get a whole bunch of knowledge from all the guys who were around. But I prided (myself) on being myself and just learning from the older guys and trying to find a way to learn from them, but kind of create my own style of how I want to be, what type of player I wanted to be and the type of things I wanted to go about.”
Howard had a talented veteran to learn from in Laremy Tunsil, himself a first-round pick for the Miami Dolphins in 2016. Howard also learned from two former offensive line coaches on the staff in Mike Devlin and James Campen.
Ultimately, the rookies will need to be themselves and not try to play outside of their knowledge and skill base.
Said Howard: “Like I said, it’s a high expectation. When you come in here, you’ve got to perform, especially as a first round pick. I would just tell those guys just come in, be themselves, stay focused. It’s going to be a grind, but they’re going to be okay.”
Howard could get reinforcements along the offensive line if the Texans decide to take NC State guard-tackle Ikem Ekwonu, Alabama tackle Evan Neal, or Mississippi State tackle Charles Cross in the first round.
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