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2022 NFL Mock Draft: Jets Defense Rebuilt In 3-Round Projection

By Christopher Thomas

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 18: Derek Stingley Jr. #7 of the LSU Tigers warms up prior to a game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Tiger Stadium on September 18, 2021 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 18: Derek Stingley Jr. #7 of the LSU Tigers warms up prior to a game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Tiger Stadium on September 18, 2021 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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2022 NFL Mock Draft, Aidan Hutchinson. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
2022 NFL Mock Draft, Aidan Hutchinson. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Houston Texans: Aidan Hutchinson, Edge Rusher, Michigan

The Houston Texans could find themselves in an interesting situation if they do not land the first overall pick in the upcoming draft, which is the case in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. Last offseason the Texans essentially blew up their roster and put band-aids over all the holes on their roster. So this offseason the Texans could potentially look completely different from how they look right now.

Earlier in the season taking a quarterback in the first round seemed like a possibility. However, since this quarterback class has not looked super impressive, Houston may try to wait another season before potentially addressing that position in the first round. Their actions this season have shown where Houston may look to invest their first round pick.

After Week 6 the Houston Texans released one of the greatest players in the franchise’s history. They released former Second-Team All-Pro veteran pass rusher Whitney Mercilus. Then at the trade deadline, Houston shockingly traded impressive young defensive end Charles Omenihu to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2023 sixth-round pick. Houston had taken Omenihu in the fifth round of 2019 and appeared to be one of the few players on their defense that could be on this roster towards the end of their rebuild. This leaves edge rushers Jonathan Greenard, Jordan Jenkins, and Jacob Martin as the only defensive ends on the team roster past this season.

Houston appears to be positioning themselves to take one of the top edge rushers in this year’s draft class. At pick two in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, Houston missed out on Kayvon Thibodeaux but landed Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson who is not a consolation prize by any means. This season Hutchinson has been dominant along Michigan’s defensive line turning him from a top-20 prospect into a lock to be drafted in the top 10. If not for Thibodeaux, Hutchinson would be a near-lock to go first overall. It would be hard to imagine Nick Caserio and David Culley passing up on a prospect like Hutchinson who could be the difference-maker the Texans need on defense.

Expectations will be unfairly high for Hutchinson since he is essentially filling the role of future Hall of Famer J.J. Watt. But Houston could be drafting a foundational piece for their defense in Hutchinson. Defensive Coordinator Lovie Smith has gotten this defense to play tough at times this season and now will have young players like Aidan Hutchinson, Jonathan Greenard, Ross Blacklock, Justin Reid, and Lonnie Johnson Jr. to develop into stars for his defense going forward.

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