The Houston Texans have a variety of ways they can go with their twin first-round picks in the 2022 NFL draft.
Houston could take a dynamic defensive back and a receiver with their Round 1, Nos. 3 and 13 selections. They could also take such a defensive back along with an edge rusher. They could go full offense with an offensive lineman at No. 3 overall and then a wideout at No. 13.
According to Kyle Stackpole from CBS Sports, the Texans decide to beef up their trenches on both sides of the ball by taking Georgia defensive end Travon Walker first and then nabbing Mississippi State tackle Charles Cross later in the first round.
The run on edge rushers continues as the Texans add Walker to new head coach Lovie Smith’s defense. Houston needs to do a better job of getting after the quarterback, as the team ranked 26th in the NFL in pressure rate a year ago. Walker is capable of disrupting the quarterback from basically anywhere along the defensive line, and he’ll pair with second-year breakout Jonathan Greenard (8.5 sacks in 2021) to form a formidable pass-rush duo.
The Texans aren’t drafting a defensive lineman at No. 3 and expecting a top offensive lineman to be here, but that’s the case in this scenario. Houston needs to protect second-year quarterback Davis Mills so it can accurately evaluate whether he’s a viable long-term option, and adding Cross would go a long way toward accomplishing that.
It makes sense for Houston to go with Walker and bolster the pass rush. However, the addition of Cross creates a logjam at tackle. Two-time Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil will retain left tackle, but Tytus Howard, who played his first two years at right tackle until 2021 when he was shuffled around at guard, would have to stay inside while Cross took over right tackle. Or the Texans could keep Howard at where he plays best and kick the rookie first-rounder inside.
In a draft where the Texans are expected to take the best players available, going with Cross may be a decent option.
