2022 NFL Draft: Texans Losses Mean They’re Moving Up The Board

Last week, the Texans were locked in to the fifth pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. This week, their fortunes have improved as their record got worse. With their fifth straight loss, your Houston Texans have moved one step closer to securing a high draft pick in next year’s all-important NFL Draft.

Houston currently sits at 1-5, sharing that dismal record with the New York Giants, Jacksonville Jaguars and Miami Dolphins. The New York Jets are one bye week out of the loop at 1-4 and the Detroit Lions lead the race at 0-6.

The current consensus has the Texans picking between 2nd and 4th. Here are a few updated draft order predictions from various sources:

NFL.com

1. Detroit Lions
2. Houston Texans
3. Philadelphia Eagles (from Miami Dolphins)
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
5. New York Giants
6. New York Jets
7. New England Patriots
8. Philadelphia Eagles (from Indianapolis Colts)
9. Washington Whatevers
10. New York Jets (from Seattle Seahawks)

ESPN

1. Detroit Lions
2. Houston Texans
3. Jacksonville Jaguars
4. New York Jets
5. New York Giants
6. Philadelphia Eagles (from Miami Dolphins)
7. Atlanta Falcons
8. Washington Whatevers
9. New England Patriots
10. Philadelphia Eagles (from Indianapolis Colts)

NBCSports

1. Jacksonville Jaguars
2. Detroit Lions
3. Houston Texans
4. New York Jets
5. Philadelphia Eagles (from Miami Dolphins)
6. Philadelphia Eagles (from Indianapolis Colts)
7. New York Giants
8. Atlanta Falcons
9. New England Patriots
10. Philadelphia Eagles

Bleacher Report

1. Detroit (0-6)
2. Jacksonville (1-5)
3. Philadelphia (via Miami: 1-5)
4. Houston (1-5)
5. New York Giants (1-5)
6. New York Jets (1-4)
7. New England (2-4)
8. Philadelphia (2-4)
9. Philadelphia (via Indianapolis: 2-4)
10. New York Jets (via Seattle: 2-4)

Can the Houston Texans Trade Deshaun Watson for Massive Draft Capital?

Many have reported the asking price for the embattled Pro Bowl quarterback is three 1st round picks and multiple 2nds. If Nick Caserio can pull that off, and it sure seems that he will if Watson’s legal storm clears up, the Texans could easily package a few picks to secure the #1 spot IF there’s a player Caserio deems worthy of that investment.

With Their First Pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans Select...

The current favorite for Houston’s first pick is Liberty University dual threat QB Malik Willis. Willis is a player in the Lamar Jackson mold and also fits the culture concepts Jack McEasterby insists the Texans must have in new players. While he hasn’t had much of chance to face NFL level competition, Willis is currently the top ranked QB in the NCAA.

Another option is Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal. The massive 6’7”, 350 pounder can slow down defenders simply by standing between them and the quarterback. The fact that Neal has polished technique and plays for the Crimson Tide, where he faces elite defenders in practice every day, and the Texans’ o-line is still a total train wreck, makes this a solid potential pick.

If that doesn’t work, we could see a repeat of H-Town history (they Texans have drafted just one quarterback and two EDGE defenders with the first overall pick) in Kayvon Thibodeaux. The 6’5”, 258 pounder is almost as much of a force of nature as Jadeveon Clowney and Mario Williams were when Houston selected them. Thibodeaux hasn’t yet hit his ceiling, which means he should continue to grow at the next level.

An outlier pick Houston could target is LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. With 4.3 speed and elite skills, Stingley would instantly be the best cornerback on the roster and a player they could build around for years to come. While the superstar corner is currently sidelined with a foot injury, don’t expect that to scare off potential suitors come draft day.

There’s still a lot of football to play between now and 2022. Thankfully, the Houston Texans are keeping on the wrong side of the W/L column; it’s painful to watch, but can only help the future of the team.