What a difference a year makes for the Texans — in the NFL draft, at least.
This time a year ago, Houston did not have its first- or second-round picks, having traded them as part of a gaudy package to land offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil and receiver Kenny Stills. In all, the Texans made just five picks in the 2021 NFL Draft. Now, they have among the most of any team in the draft — 10 — including two in the top-13.
And they'll need all the help they can get.
Houston was finally able to unload disgruntled quarterback Deshaun Watson to Cleveland following news he won't face criminal charges in the wake of sexual assault and unwanted touching allegations from 22 massage therapists. That includes the Browns' first- and fourth-round selections (13th and 107th overall) this year, 2023 first- and third-round selections and 2024 first- and fourth-round selections.
That gives GM Nick Caserio plenty of wiggle room to improve on a team that went 4-13 with quarterback Davis Mills (for what it's worth, the Texans went 4-12 with Watson the year prior). There's work to be done, but Houston has cleared its 2019 trade with Miami and moved Watson off its books.
The only thing left to do is draft. Here's a look at how the Texans might do that ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft:
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Texans draft picks 2022: Who did Houston take?
- Round 1, Pick No. 3: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
- Round 1, Pick No. 15: Kenyon Green, OL, Texas A&M
- Round 2, Pick No. 37: Jalen Pitre, S, Baylor
- Round 2, Pick No. 44: John Metchie III, WR, Alabama
- Round 3, Pick No. 75: Christian Harris, LB, Alabama
- Round 4, Pick No. 107: Dameon Pierce, RB, Florida
- Round 5, Pick No. 150: Thomas Booker, DT, Stanford
- Round 5, Pick No. 170: Teagan Quitoriano, TE, Oregon State
- Round 6, Pick No. 205: Austin Deculus, OT, LSU
Click here for live analysis and grades on every pick.
Texans 2022 NFL Draft order
| Round | Pick | Overall | Notes |
| 1 | 3 | 3 | |
| 1 | 15 | 15 | From Dolphins, via Eagles |
| 2 | 5 | 37 | |
| 2 | 15 | 44 | From Browns |
| 3 | 11 | 75 | From Broncos |
| 4 | 2 | 107 | From Lions, via Browns |
| 5 | 23 | 166 | From Cardinals, via Eagles |
| 5 | 27 | 170 | From Buccaneers, via Patriots |
| 6 | 25 | 205 | From Packers |
| 6 | 27 | 207 | From 49ers, via Jets |
MORE: Texans draft picks: Ranking 5 best combinations for Houston's two Round 1 selections
Texans NFL Draft needs
- Offensive tackle: Caserio and first-year coach Lovie Smith will want to build around Mills, who showed enough in 2021 to earn the starting position at the start of the 2022 season. To that end, Houston will have its pick of offensive tackles (assuming the Jaguars and Lions draft Aidan Hutchinson and Travon Walker, respectively). Whether the Texans draft Alabama's Evan Neal or N.C. State's Ikem Ekwonu remains to be seen, but either would provide a bookend right tackle opposite Tunsil.
- Wide receiver: Brandin Cooks (1,036 yards, six touchdowns in 2021) needs considerable help in the receiving corps. Nico Collins and Chris Conley had 446 and 232 yards last year, respectively; that's simply not good enough. Chris Olave, Drake London and Jameson Williams could all be available at 13, but the Texans may consider waiting till the second round to draft here, considering how deep this class is.
- Running back: Are you beginning to notice a pattern? The Texans have had among one of the worst NFL rushing attacks each of the last two seasons, with Rex Burkhead, a complementary back at best, leading the team with 427 yards. This position has been devalued of late, particularly in the NFL draft, so look for the Texans to take one of Breece Hall, Kenneth Murray III or Jamal Cook as early as No. 37 — or as late pick 80.
- EDGE: The Texans need to revamp a unit that ranked 26th in pressure rate last season. Here, Houston has a conundrum; take Kayvon Thibodeaux — a high-ceiling player who has drawn concerns about his motor — at No. 3 overall, but lose out on Neal and Ekwonu. Wait till 13, however, and Hutchinson, Walker and Thibodeaux will all be off the board. Jermaine Johnson II would be a huge pickup there, but there's no guarantee he'll be available, either.
Houston Texans mock draft 2022
Here are the latest 2022 NFL Draft projections for the Texans, according to Vinnie Iyer's seven-round mock draft:
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
| 1 | 3 | Evan Neal | OT | Alabama |
| 1 | 13 | Jermaine Johnson II | EDGE | Florida State |
| 2 | 37 | Kaiir Elam | CB | Florida |
| 3 | 68 | James Cook | RB | Georgia |
| 3 | 80 | David Bell | WR | Purdue |
| 4 | 107 | Thayer Munford Jr. | OG | Ohio State |
| 4 | 108 | Darrian Beavers | LB | Cincinnati |
| 5 | 170 | Chris Paul | G | Tulsa |
| 6 | 205 | LaBryan Ray | DT/DE | Alabama |
| 6 | 207 | Dontario Drummond | WR | Ole Miss |
