Houston Texans: 4 Players to draft at 13th overall in ’22 NFL Draft

The Houston Texans have a huge opportunity with a first round pick gained from the Deshaun Watson trade.

It seems there is negative press with former Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson and his new team the Cleveland Browns following the blockbuster trade just over a week ago. That same will also change the Texans franchise forever but in a positive way.

The Texans with the Watson trade gained three first-round picks and other draft choices as well over the next three drafts, but in the 2022 NFL Draft the Houston Texans gained the 13th overall pick from the Browns, which gives the Texans two first round picks this year.

The last time the Texans had a first round pick in their possession on draft day was 2019 when they selected Tytus Howard to play on the offensive line for them, and that has been an excellent choice, maybe the last great choice by former head coach/general manager Bill O’Brien when he ran the show.

Now moving forward to the ’22 NFL Draft the Texans not only have the No. 13 pick from Cleveland, but they have the No. 3 pick with the Texans gaining that pick for their 4-13 season in ’21.

Concerning the 13th overall pick a lot could happen with that choice, but it all depends the direction the Texans go with the No. 3 overall pick, and this is where the fun starts for Day 1 of the draft.

The Texans have a need for a lot of various positions on their roster that could use some improvement. They have a need to draft the best player available no matter the position because they to build some superstars from this draft, as consecutive four-win seasons and hiring a new head coach for two straight years is getting a bit old.

Next are four players the Texans could select with the 13th overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft depending on who the Texans select with the third overall pick.

The 13th pick will be scrutinized and watched under a microscope for years to come due to the nature of the blockbuster trade by general manager Nick Caserio and the player involved in the trade to the Browns, that being Deshaun Watson.

For the sake of this scenario, let’s assume the Texans will be picking an EDGE player (Aidan Hutchinson, George Karlaftis, or Kayvon Thibodeaux) with the third overall selection. Here are the four players who could help change the Texans forever:

There is a chance the Texans can land a defensive tackle with this pick and if so, imagine if the Texans take one of the “Big 3” EDGE players with the third overall pick, then adding a powerhouse defensive tackle to play next to him.

That could spell DOOM for new Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Ryan, or force Jacksonville Jaguars second-year quarterback Trevor Lawrence to regress this upcoming season,at least when playing the Texans.

A big-time defensive tackle could also help the Texans to slow down the opposing offense’s rushing attack (which the Texans struggled with last season), and that includes the Titans and Derrick Henry as well.

Davis would be an excellent pick here if still on the board as playing for Lovie Smith would only make the rookie defensive tackle that much better down the line. He would be learning the NFL level of play at the same time as a fellow EDGE rusher that the Texans would “potentially” be selecting at third overall.

Having Davis added with the likes of Aidan Hutchinson, George Karlaftis or Kayvon Thibodeaux (who could be selected third overall) that changes the way the Texans play defense in not only ’22, but possibly for the next decade if things go in the right direction.