Houston Texans 7-Round 2022 Mock Draft: Beefing Up The Defense

Round 3, 68th Overall: Kerby Joseph, S, Illinois

The barrage on defense continues for the Houston Texans here early in this Texans mock draft, this time at the safety position. Losing Reid really hurts the back end, so finding a player who can replace the production and impact is important. The class is good at safety, and the Texans land a gem here in Kerby Joseph.

Funny enough, Joseph’s time at Illinois overlapped with Smith, and his growth in 2021 could see the two reunite in Houston. Joseph took advantage of opportunities, picking off five passes and breaking up two more in 2021. His range is impressive to play on the back end, and he will be able to handle a deep half in Smith’s defense.

Round 3, 80th Overall: Isaiah Spiller, RB, Texas A&M

It’s unclear as to when the running back run starts in the 2022 NFL Draft, but it’s possible that a top guy is available in the third round, based on the perceived depth at the position and the shift to committee rooms.

Isaiah Spiller would be a home run pick here. He might get docked in some circles due to athletic testing, but his short area burst, contact balance, and improved receiving ability in 2021 make him a potential three-down back in the NFL. As his vision improves, so will another dimension to this Texans offense.