Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio will need to take risks at some point to truly push the team back into the competitive class of the AFC.
Why not take those chances with the initial set of twin first-round picks that the Texans will have over the next three drafts, including the 2022 NFL draft starting April 28?
According to Luke Easterling from the Draft Wire, the Texans use their No. 3 overall pick to take former LSU cornerback Derek Stingley after defensive ends Aidan Hutchinson and Kayvon Thibodeaux go off the board to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Detroit Lions.
Start getting used to this one. Cincinnati’s “Sauce” Gardner is the favorite to be the first corner off the board (and with good reason), but don’t be surprised if the Texans throw a curveball here. Stingley was absolutely projected this high before injuries derailed his 2021 season, and he’s still an elite prospect.
Stingley’s college career was cut short due to a Linsfranc injury in his foot, which makes taking him that high ahead of Gardner risky. However, Stingley does have high upside and shares some traits with a familiar former New England Patriots cornerback.
The New York Jets nab Gardner with the very next selection. The New York Giants grab guard-tackle Ikem Ekwonu at No. 5 overall.
The Minnesota Vikings select safety Kyle Hamilton the pick ahead of the Texans. At No. 13 overall, the Texans give another injured player a shot in the first round with the selection of Alabama receiver Jameson Williams.
Another surprise pick for the Texans here, as they roll the dice on another dynamic playmaker with some injury concerns. Williams tore his ACL in the national title game, but at full strength, he’s an explosive weapon who could take the Houston offense to another level.
Taking injured players in the first round would be quite the risk. If neither Stingley nor Williams lived up to their pre-injury potential, Houston sports fans would never let Caserio forget it.
