Houston Texans must avoid drafting Kyle Hamilton with third overall pick

The Houston Texans may see that they need to fix the safety position, but they should resist the urge.

There has been much adoration over the chance that the Houston Texans go with the “‘sexy” pick at number three and select Notre Dame’s Kyle Hamilton. The 6’4″, 220-pound junior safety from Atlanta, Georgia, has impressed many scouts around the NFL.

To have that size and skill is rare, and it’s no wonder why Hamilton could be the first safety off the board in the upcoming 2022 NFL Draft. But, as tempting as Hamilton is, Houston must address its infrastructure. That is referring to the offensive and defensive lines, of course. Concerns about him being too tall and being slow out of his cuts are one thing, but the fact that Hamilton tends to deliver a big hit instead of wrapping up is another mark against him.

There are too many good candidates in the trenches to choose from that it really renders Hamilton out of the picture. Yes, Justin Reid is most likely leaving the team after the debacle that was the 2021 Houston Texans season. However, there are better ways to spend this pick.

The Houston Texans should draft with caution if they do choose Hamilton

If Hamilton is the guy, the hit or success rate on safeties recently taken in the first round lies right around 50 percent. Here are a few names:

• Keanu Neal- Started off great, not so much anymore
• Karl Joseph-Waived, currently a free agent
• Jabrill Peppers-Middle of the road
• Malik Hooker- Eight interceptions in five years
• Jamal Adams- Only good at blitzing
• Terrell Edmunds-Misses tackles
• Derwin James- Great when he can stay healthy
• Minkah Fitzpatrick- Great as long Brian Flores doesn’t annoy him
• Johnathan Abram- Middle of the road
• Darnell Savage- Fantastic

Of course, there are exponential variables that change things for each and every player in the NFL. If the defensive line is bad, then one safety, in theory, might give up more yards. There’s no way to predict precisely how good or bad one player will be with a specific team.

Although taking a lineman has a much higher chance of turning into a good pick, and it will do wonders for your quarterback and run game. There’s only so much a safety can contribute to rush defense when his main help is in the passing game.

Weigh the pros and cons, Houston, and make the right choice.