The Houston Texans completed their second draft in the Nick Caserio era.
The former New England Patriots director of player personnel finally had a full complement of draft choices to work with — a whopping 13, the most entering the weekend. Caserio parlayed those picks into packages to take nine players to improve the roster.
According to Luke Easterling from the Draft Wire, the biggest steal for the Texans was the selection of former Alabama linebacker Christian Harris at No. 75 overall in Round 3. The biggest reach was his teammate, receiver John Metchie, who went No. 44 overall in Round 2 via a trade.
The early rounds were a bit up-and-down for Houston, as they landed an elite shutdown defender in CB Derek Stingley Jr., but OL Kenyon Green felt like a bit of a reach at No. 15 overall. DB Jalen Pitre brings versatility and playmaking ability to the secondary, but trading up for Metchie was questionable, considering his knee injury and the other receivers who were available. Harris was a huge steal, and should make an immediate impact.
Day 3 started with back-to-back home-run picks, as RB Dameon Pierce should immediately be the best back on the roster, and DL Thomas Booker has everything necessary to be an instant starter.
The Texans took targeted players who could help the roster, not only in the future, but immediately. If Stingley is able to stay healthy, he can instantly becomes Houston’s shutdown cornerback. Green provides the Texans with a solution along the offensive line’s interior, and also keeps Tytus Howard at right tackle.
Taking Pitre to start off the second round at No. 37 overall was a great way to compensate for the lost chance at picking former Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton. Even though Houston missed on Hamilton, coach Lovie Smith still has an exemplary safety to man the backend of his Tampa 2.
