Open Rants by kkunert327

2022 Draft Grades: Houston Texans

1 (3) - Derek Stingley CB LSU -  A

• I feel like a genius for predicting this pick, but the rest of my mocks didn’t go as planned so I’m not sure how much of a genius I really am. Either way this pick makes a lot of sense. They just need talent across the board so why not swing for one of the best talents in the draft. I know it’s been awhile since Stingley has shown that play, but a lot of outside forces played into it from the pandemic to trying to play through a foot injury. If you ask me he was always the top corner in this class and might be the only one I truly expect to turn into a perennial All-Pro type talent. I also get not going after a tackle here since Laremy Tunsil will still be on the roster for one more season. 

1 (15) - Kenyon Green OL Texas A&M -  C+

• Like the player, but I don’t like where they took him. The only plus is that they moved down a bit and gained an extra few picks that were used to move around more later in the draft. He does fit a big need and I do think he should be a solid player at the next level. I’m just not sure if they should’ve taken him over guys like Trevor Penning, Zion Johnson, or Tyler Linderbaum if they were totally sold on bringing in a blocker here. 

2 (5) - Jalen Pitre DB Baylor -  A+

• Unlike the Green pick I think this pick has plenty of value. He could have easily gone in the first round, but more than likely fell due to his size limitations. I doubt he will ever be a true outside shutdown corner. However, he should be a unique defensive back who can float from the nickel spot to safety if need be. He has a ton of tenacity in the run game as well. For a team with not much talent on any unit have certainly turned their secondary into a possible strength taking Pitre and Stingley in the first two rounds. 

2 (12) - John Metchie WR Alabama -  B- 

• Love the player, but again the value isn’t there for me. I also wouldn’t have thought they needed to trade up to land him. Had they stayed at the 68th pick instead of moving up they could have still possibly landed him. However, I do think he was a huge under the radar prospect in this class and was way too overshadowed by his teammate Jameson Williams. Metchie can probably carve out a role on any roster thanks to his speed, shiftiness, and ability to work the middle of the field. He also possesses high awareness and was often Alabama’s go to option to make a first down prior to his injury. Hell if he had never gotten hurt would Williams ever really breakout? My only concern with the Texans is his game is very similar to Brandin Cooks so it will be interesting to see how they integrate both into the offense. 

3 (11) - Christian Harris LB Alabama -  A

• Seems like Nick Casserio took notes learning from his mentor Bill Belichick on what schools to draft from. Bill fall back in the draft has often been taking players from Alabama and it looks like Nick will be doing the same. It usually works out too if you ask me. Harris to me was also very underrated throughout the entire draft process. He played well again this season and was just overshadowed due to the fact that he didn’t do more than his previous great seasons. On a bad Texans defense he should be a quick starter in the middle of Lovie Smith’s defense. My only downside is the fact they traded up to get him, but the Texans had a lot of draft capital to work with after trading away a ton of veterans throughout the season. 

4 (2) - Dameon Pierce RB Florida -  B+ 

• Again not a huge fan of moving up in the draft and more so on Day 3 where I think you’re just splitting hairs when you determine one player being better than another. Especially at running back where it seems to be getting easier every season to find a solid one on Day 3. Pierce however, could’ve been a first round talent had Florida used him properly. I know the Texans roster isn’t the best, but Pierce would probably be a quick starter on most teams and for the Texans to get possibly four possibly good to great starters with their first four picks is plenty impressive here. 

5 (7) - Thomas Booker DT Stanford -   B

• ….Again trading up on Day 3 to me seems tedious and unnecessary, but what do I know. Especially for a team that should be looking to fill the roster with just talent in general. However, again this is another possible solid Day One starter for them to land here. Booker was pegged by many as a possible steal on Day 3 type of talent who can provide nice pass rushing ability in the middle of the defense. It’s also necessary in a division with Jonathan Taylor and Derrick Henry to have a stout tackle or two to slow them down up front. 

5 (27) - Teagan Quitoriano TE Oregon St - D

• I’ll never really give a failing grade on a player on Day 3, but this was close. There were still other tight ends like James Mitchell, Grant Calcaterra, Nick Muse, and Chase Allen who many had higher on their boards. I also don’t see how tight end is a huge need for a roster that is just barren of talent. To me tight ends are pretty low on the positional value rankings. If anything he will at least be a special teamer, but to me they took him too high in general even just for that role. 

6 (27) - Austin Deculus OT LSU -  A 

• Solid value pick here on a player who could’ve gone much higher. He lacks overall strength, but has the length and enough talent to maybe stick on the roster out of Training Camp. I’m not sure if he has enough upside to be a true starter down the line, but it wouldn’t be surprising since we see Day 3 blockers turn out to be solid picks all the time. 

Overall: A 

If you would’ve asked me what the goal for the Texans in this draft was, it would've been just to find solid potential building blocks going forward. I would have preferred if they would’ve been more offensive prospects to help out Davis Mills, but to be honest I don’t think their offense is that bad overall. In any case, from what I have seen from this draft class they did come away with four to five quick immediate starters who can help out their team right away. It would also be great value if Stingley can turn into that shutdown type corner many thought he would be in 2019. If he does turn out to be that then I wouldn’t be surprised if the Lions were kicking themselves for passing up on him. I also think guys like Dameon Pierce, Kenyon Green, Jalen Pitre, and Christian Harris to be quick immediate impact players for this roster. 

All in all this was a pretty good haul for Nick Casserio who had learned at the feet of Bill Belichick. If you ask me he might have been pulling more strings up in New England than expected. Since his departure the Patriots draft classes have taken a nosedive in recent years. My only concern is what they didn’t do on Day 3 due to moving up so often. They need more bodies here and they sapped their ability to go after the quantity method to do so. I do like who they got overall and can see possible great gems out Thomas Booker and Chrisitan Harris. Maybe they are prepared for a long term rebuild, I’m just not sure their coach Lovie Smith will be apart of their long term plans at his age.