The Houston Texans did a good job yesterday in the first round, but there are still big names to draft.
The Houston Texans took two of the biggest draft prospects yesterday in Derek Stingley Jr. and Kenyon Green. Whatever grade you give the Texans for those decisions is certainly up for debate, the second and third rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft are tonight.
With Houston’s picks so early in each round, these carry extra importance. Houston has first-round talent to choose from as the early second round is an extension of the one before it.
So who would Houston keep an eye out for tonight? We’ll start with the player in the picture above:
Nakobe Dean is somehow still on the board
Arguably the draft’s most talented linebacker and the main leader of the Bulldogs’ defense, Nakobe Dean was one of the top targets from Georgia’s defense that didn’t get picked in the first round.
Apparently, Dean’s fall is linked to his injury history, including an incident that happened in a pre-draft workout where he did sustain a tear of some sort. So that’s a development that explains why Dean is falling.
But it would be par for the course, as Houston’s first draft pick (Stingley) has an injury history as well. But there could be a great pairing of Dean and Stingley if and when they are both healthy.
Houston Texans need to get an offensive skill player, preferably Kenneth Walker III
I’ve been on the Kenneth Walker III bandwagon from Week 1 of the 2021 College Season. I was in attendance at Ryan Field when I watched Northwestern take on Walker’s Spartans. Walker had just transferred from Wake Forest and lit up the stat sheet with over 270 yards and four touchdowns.
It was a near Heisman-clinching season for Walker, and with the wide receiver well being drying up faster than anyone thought it would, it makes sense to get the best running back in the draft (not sorry, Breece Hall).
Walker’s ability to put the team on his shoulders was proven at the highest level. A threat to take a four-yard run to the house at a moment’s notice is why I’m pleading with the Texans to land Walker tonight.
It would do wonders for Davis Mills and a rushing attack in Houston that was dead last in the league when it came to rushing yards.
Christian Watson can upgrade the depth at the wide receiver position
For the Houston Texans, the offense is solely Brandin Cooks. There need to be more diversification of targets and play design. That’s what Houston is going to get with Christian Watson. Watson is the best wide receiver left on the board.
Some can advocate for Western Michigan’s Skyy Moore, and that’s fine. However, Western Michigan wide receivers have a tendency not to work out (D’wayne Eskridge, Corey Davis).
Watson’s route running, coupled with Cooks’ streamline speeds, will open up passing lanes and the playbook for Pep Hamilton. Watson will most likely be targeted by the Green Bay Packers, who passed on the glaring need for a wide receiver in the first round,
Should Watson fall, Houston should look to select him in the third round. It may be wishful thinking, but that’s what the draft is all about from a fan’s perspective.