The Houston Texans have 12 picks in the 2023 NFL draft. They may not use all of them as general manager Nick Caserio has shown over the past two drafts he prefers to build packages to take specific players.
The Texans have also shown in the past two drafts with Caserio that the club is willing to take the best player available, regardless of whether it fills a specific need on the roster.
If the Texans are in the market for a young, versatile defensive lineman, Keion White from Georgia Tech has to be considered.
According to Doug Farrar from the Touchdown Wire, White played 80% of his snaps outside the guards, 17% inside, and two percent at nose tackle. However, White elaborated on how up and down the defensive line techniques he can actually play.
“That’s cool with me,” White said of a main 5-tech role via Farrar. “I’ve shown throughout my career that I can go wherever I need to go. Personally, I like playing the 5. Anywhere from 3 to 9 I think it’s reasonable for me to play. And I like being able to play anywhere from 3 to 9, and that versatility. That only makes you more valuable as a player.”
White said at the NFL combine media availability he was 285 pounds and likes the weight he is playing at. Strength is the biggest asset White provides.
“I’ve been playing end, and I’m reasonably quick enough to play the outside as well,” said White. “I like the weight I’m at. If teams need me to, obviously they’re paying money, I’ll go anywhere if they give me money for it. That’s how I feel about it.”
According to Pro Football Focus, White ranks as the 53rd-best player on their big board. Houston would need to spend a second- or a third-round pick if they felt White could help new coach DeMeco Ryans’ defense.
