2022 NFL Draft: Offensive line dominates top five in 2022 NFL Mock Draft
By Kyle Edmond
3. Houston Texans: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
Scouting Report. Oregon. player. 10. Pick Analysis. EDGE. Kayvon Thibodeaux. 3
The Houston Texans are in full rebuild mode, especially if they officially move on from Deshaun Watson this offseason. Where this franchise is at the moment should result in them taking the best player available with nearly every pick they hold in the 2022 NFL Draft. If the Jaguars go with a tackle at number one, that guarantees the Texans one of the class’s best pass rushers here in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft.
The race between Hutchinson and Kayvon Thibodeaux for the top edge rusher in this draft class is tight. The two are very similar in skill set and it could simply come down to the organizational fit. I think Hutchinson fits Detroit better, meaning Thibodeaux falls down to the Texans.
Not only are the Texans rebuilding, but they could nearly wipe their defense clean this offseason. Of the 11 defensive starters currently listed for Houston on ourlads.com, seven are set to become free agents and that doesn’t include any depth players that could depart as well.
Houston’s defense was a bit of an anomaly a season ago. They finished eighth in tackles for loss, but only 28th in sacks. If they want to start consistently getting to the quarterback, then Thibodeaux is the best available player here. Thibodeaux totaled 19 sacks for Oregon over his three seasons there, playing in 30 games. He also added 35.5 tackles for loss.
There’s other needs for Houston, but they can’t address all of them this offseason. At this point, Thibodeaux is the best player on the board, so that’s the direction the Texans should take.