The Houston Texans have decisions to make with their linebacking corps for 2022.
Kamu Grugier-Hill, who is slated to be a free agent once the new league year kicks off March 16 at 3:00 p.m. Central Time, led the Texans with 108 combined tackles through 14 games. Houston also drafted Garret Wallow in the fifth-round last season from TCU, and the former Horned Frog has sideline-to-sideline ability.
Does Houston go young starting in 2022, or do they keep adding veterans on prove-it deals?
If the Texans were to look to the draft to bolster their linebacking corps, Wisconsin’s Leo Chenal is a name to consider.
According to Michael Renner from Pro Football Focus, Chenal was one of the “winners” from the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
If you were a top linebacker in this class heading in, chances are you won the combine. Almost every top guy ticked boxes left and right. Chenal, however, ticked every box at a hefty 250 pounds. His 4.53-second 40-yard dash, 40.5-inch vertical and 10-foot-8 broad jump are ideal for the blitz-heavy usage he’s likely to have in the NFL.
General manager Nick Caserio told reporters on March 1 that the goal of the combine was to get a hold of as many prospects as possible, especially the underclassmen as this was their first opportunity to interact with them.
“I don’t think there’s anything that happens or takes place here relative to what players do on or off the field or what happens in a 20-minute interview is going to change what your philosophy is on it, on moving back or making trades or those types of things,” Caserio said. “I think the most important thing for us is to kind of know as many players as possible.”
In 2021 at Wisconsin, Chenal provided the Badgers defense with 115 combined tackles, 18.5 taackles for loss, 8.0 sacks, and two forced fumbles through 11 games.