The Houston Texans have needs all across their roster, but No. 3 overall is a selection that must capture the identity of the team moving forward. Houston’s selection must be one that provides playmaking ability on either side of the ball at any level.
According to Doug Farrar from the Touchdown Wire, the Texans use their No. 3 pick to select Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux in his pre-free agency mock draft.
When it comes to draft evaluation, there’s what we think we know, and what we can prove. What we can prove is that Thibodeaux put up his best collegiate season in 2021, with 48 total pressures and 29 stops. Even his comment about wanting to be “Jadeveon Clowney 2.0” was frequently misrepresented. Here’s what he actually said:
“Just be relentless. You look back at Clowney, he was great, but he didn’t have all the skills and the tools as far as pass rush skills. Me, I feel like I can build off of him — I’m like Jadeveon 2.0. I feel like I have the skills and I have a hunger to keep going. And I’m gonna steal pass rush moves. If I see something I like, I’m gonna add it to my tool box.”
Considering Clowney was in the same draft as defensive tackle Aaron Donald and edge rusher Khalil Mack, both of whom have scored NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors in their careers, the Texans are hopeful Clowney 2.0 truly is an upgrade.
The Jacksonville Jaguars start off the draft with tackle Ikem Ekwonu from North Carolina State. The Detroit Lions take Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton at No. 2 overall. The New York Jets select Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson after the Texans elect to pick Thibodeaux. The first quarterback doesn’t come off the board until No. 11 overall with Washington picking Liberty’s Malik Willis.
