Could the Houston Texans be building a defense for the ages?
A CBS Sports mock draft has the Houston Texans beginning to build what could be a very scary and intense defense with the No. 3 and No. 13 picks of the 2022 NFL Draft, and it is tough to be disappointed with these two choices.
On Thursday, Josh Edwards of CBSSports.com released his two-round mock draft and it is one where fans of the Texans could be excited for in the first round with their two first round picks focusing on the defensive side of the ball.
Edwards has the Texans picking Ahmad Gardner (better known as Sauce Gardner) with the third pick of the ’22 NFL Draft, and with the 13th overall selection the pick is Georgia’s Jordan Davis.
With the Texans taking a cornerback and defensive tackle with their two first round picks that’s exciting in a way, because if there is one thing many know it is the old saying “Defense Wins Championships.”
The the ultimate end game for the Houston Texans with this current rebuild of the roster — led by general manager Nick Caserio — is for the Houston Texans become champions one day, and a first round like this in a draft is a huge step towards that goal.
As for the mock draft, here is what Edwards wrote about the No. 3 pick being Sauce Gardner of Cincinnati:
"“He is a productive, lockdown man coverage cornerback that does not lack confidence.”"
Edwards also said at the third pick of the draft Gardner will be the best player available at this point of the draft, and to be honest the more we know about Sauce Gardner the more that statement seems true.
Texans Draft: Jordan Davis at 13th overall is a solid decision that could happen
Then there is the No. 13 pick for the Texans, and the first of three first round choices traded to Houston by the Cleveland Browns for Deshaun Watson.
This choice of Davis, a defensive tackle from Georgia, isn’t a bad decision either because the Texans drafted a player to help stop the passing game of opponents earlier in the same mock draft, so why not draft Davis to help stuff the run game of the opposition?
Edwards wrote this about Davis in his mock draft:
"“The NFL has never seen a player test as well as Davis did at the NFL Combine. The Texans need to add talented players with strong resolve and both fit the profile.”"
This CBS Sports mock draft is one that brings some excitement to the defense of the Texans, and one that would have to make Texans head coach Lovie Smith off-the-charts excited to coach in 2022.
Both Gardner and Davis would fit in well with the Houston Texans as their head coach is defensive-minded. The unit needs lots of improvement, and being in a rebuild situation Gardner and Davis would be given a good amount of time to keep improving on their skills at the highest level of football.