NFL Draft 2022: 3 Running backs the Houston Texans can select to join Marlon Mack

The Houston Texans signed Marlon Mack, but they also need to draft another running back.

Fans of the Houston Texans wanted the team to improve at running back this offseason, and on Friday that was the case when the Texans signed former 1,000-yard rusher Marlon Mack.

Mack previously played for AFC South foe the Indianapolis Colts, but now as a member of the Texans he’s already an upgrade over the running back depth chart of last year. Mack had some excellent moments with the Colts, but he’s not enough for what the Texans need to be a successful rushing team.

With Mack most likely being the face of the running game for the ’22 season, the Houston Texans need to add a running back through the 2022 NFL Draft this month, and luckily for the Texans there are some solid running backs to choose from, whether that be in the second round, or with one of their later-round choices, as the Texans have two third-round picks and two fourth-round choices.

In all, the Texans have 11 choices in the ’22 draft, and they will (or should) use at least one of their draft choices on a running back.

There is no way the Texans will use one of their two first-round choices on a running back, but that still leaves nine other picks in their arsenal to find a player or two who will complement Mack in the new — and hopefully improved — rushing attack of the Texans.

Next are the three running backs the Texans can pick in the second, third or even fourth rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Round 2

This would be extremely exciting to see a running back of Kenneth Walker’s talent level with the Houston Texans, but it is kind of hard to believe the Texans will use their lone second-round pick (No. 37 overall) on a running back.

The Texans do need to add a running back to complement the newly signed Marlon Mack, and Walker is an intriguing choice here if it were to happen.

Walker should be on the radar of many NFL teams because who couldn’t use another running back on their roster, but if the Texans were to use their second-round pick – which is their third pick made in this draft – they would be gaining a player who would be an excellent addition with Marlon Mack.

Walker is described in a draft profile by Lance Zierlein of NFL.com as an “eventual plus starter” in the NFL, as he wrote the following about Walker:

"“He can handle RB1 workload in terms of carries but needs work as a third-down option. Walker would benefit from better rush-track discipline, but his explosiveness and unpredictable style should still lead to success as a future starter.”"

Again, who knows what general manager Nick Caserio is thinking right now when it comes to the second-round pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, but he does have a nice chance here to make a splash and possibly make a surprising choice if he decides on a running back with the Texans’ second-round pick.