Texans 2022 Draft Grades: Big Impact, Better Value

Texans 2022 Draft Grades

After firing Head Coach David Culley after just one year and then trading away who some may view as a top-five quarterback in Deshaun Watson, the Houston Texans have earned their current title of dysfunctional. Entering the 2022 NFL Draft, the Texans had one of the worst rosters and needed to fill holes at every position. It was of key importance that they drafted good football players who can immediately contribute in their first season and these are my Texans 2022 draft grades for each selection.

Texans 2022 Draft Grades:

Round 1 (No. 3 overall): Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU

The Texans sat at the number three position and were the wild card team of the draft in the first round. Ultimately, they decided to draft cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. out of LSU. Stingley is a great athlete that has great ball skills. Even though he had a questionable last two years, marred with injury, the upside for Stingley is an All-Pro corner and in Head Coach Lovie Smith’s scheme, he should be able to thrive and use his instincts to make game-changing plays.

Round 1 (No. 15 overall): Kenyon Green, OL, Texas A&M

With their second pick in the first round, the Texans decided to go with the local talent in Texas A&M offensive lineman Kenyon Green. The Texans needed protection upfront to protect their second-year quarterback Davis Mills. Green is one of the more underrated prospects and has played every position along the offensive line during his time at A&M. I think this is a high-floor and high-ceiling player that should be a huge upgrade to the offensive line.

Round 2 (No. 37 overall): Jalen Pitre, S, Baylor

In the second round, the Texans drafted the versatile Baylor safety Jalen Pitre. At Baylor, Pitre spent time lining up at safety, linebacker and outside linebacker. He was able to make impact plays from every position. Pitre is a tone setter on defense with his motor and can help Smith turn this defense around with the effort and intensity Pitre plays with.

Round 2 (No. 44 overall): John Metchie III, WR, Alabama.

Metchie is one of the most explosive receivers in this draft class. Unfortunately, right as Metchie was starting to emerge as a true number one option, he tore his ACL. I believe that if Metchie can continue to develop the little nuances of being a receiver, he can turn into one of the best in this class because of his great athletic traits and ability to flat out separate from defenders.

Round 3 (No. 75 overall): Christian Harris, LB, Alabama

In the third round the Texans went defense again but this time, with Alabama linebacker Christian Harris. During his time at Alabama, Harris was known as an athletic linebacker that can cover tight ends down the field, while having the athleticism to flow sideline to sideline. In this Houston scheme, I see Harris as a guy that can thrive in a zone system and be able to make plays on the football.

Round 4 (No. 107 overall): Dameon Pierce, RB, Florida

Pierce is a running back that became popular after the Senior Bowl once he was able to showcase his skills both running the football and in pass protection. The Texans are still searching for a bell cow running back to take over that number one position and with Pierce’s natural ability to break tackles, he is a dark horse candidate to take over as the lead back for this team. I thought this was a great value pick for the Texans.

Round 5 (No. 150 overall): Thomas Booker, DT, Stanford

In the fifth round, the Texans addressed the interior defensive line position and drafted Thomas Booker. Booker is a good run defender but also has the athleticism to get the penetration necessary for this Texans’ defense to function properly. Even though he was selected in the fifth round, Booker should be viewed as a player that can be a key contributor early on next year. This was another steal by the Texans with this selection.

Round 5 (No. 170 overall): Teagan Quitoriano, TE, Oregon State

The Texans showed that they are committed to Mills for at least this year but they needed to give him more receiving options to see if he can take the next step in his progression. Historically, tight ends have served as a security blanket for quarterbacks when there is nothing open down the field or if they are under an immense amount of pressure and need to get the ball out quick. And Quitoriano can do just that. Quitoriano can add good depth to the tight end room and give Mills more underneath options to throw the football.

Round 6 (No. 105 overall): Austin Deculus, OT, LSU

With their last pick in the draft, the Texans went back to the offensive line position and drafted Austin Deculus. Deculus is a four-year starter and has plenty of big-time games in the SEC under his belt. While Deculus hasn’t shown to be the most technically sound offensive tackle, he has shown the ability to just get the job done. And if in the sixth round the Texans can manage to get at least a serviceable blocker, they’ve done a great job with this pick.

Overall, the Texans did a good job of drafting players at premium positions, while also drafting players that are great scheme fits, plus have a winning pedigree.

Overall Grade: A-