The Texans made their first selection of the 2024 NFL draft as they stay firm at their pick at No. 42 overall. Houston went with cornerback Kamari Lassiter with their first pick. It's a position the Texans needed to add talent.
The Texans are getting a player who's at his best when dropping in off coverage. He sheds receivers' blocks in the run game to factor into the play. Lassiter will fly up and attack pass catchers underneath with the ability to blow them up at the mesh point.
Lassiter will come in and compete to start on the interior in nickel coverage. He lacks the keep-up speed needed to survive on the outside as well as the length. Lassiter has sub-31-inch arms. He can also be slow on comebacks and take poor angles. In press man coverage he tends to latch on too often.
Lassiter had impressive timings at the NFL combine with a 6.62 3-cone and 4.12 short shuttle. He has the movement skills and quickness needed versus slot receivers.
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Texans 2024 NFL draft grade for Kamari Lassiter
The Texans landed a talented player at a position of need but they didn't maximize the value or talent of the selection evaluated against the other players available.
In the two picks before the Texans, safety Cooper DeJean and cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry were selected. In the three picks following, cornerback Max Melton, center Jackson Powers-Johnson and linebacker Edgerrin Cooper all provided better value at the spot. The Texans would have been better to either move up a few spots in the round or either trading back and acquire a mid-round pick and still be able to land a player on par with Lassiter.
Grade: C minus
Kamari Lassiter stats
Here are Lassiter's career stats during his 44 collegiate games:
- Interceptions: 1
- Defended passes: 14
- Combined tackles: 86
- Tackles for a loss: 8.5
- Sacks: 1
Here is Lassiter's's height, weight and other measurables:
- Height: 5-foot-11.5
- Weight: 186 pounds
- Arms: 31-inch
- Hand size: 9-inch
TEXANS DRAFT PICKS 2024: Full list of NFL Draft selections for Texans
