There are two good things to come out of the Houston Texans’ 2021 season: it will be over in four weeks, and it should net the club a top-5 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft.
According to Todd McShay of ESPN, who released his first mock draft, the Texans go with Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux with the No. 2 overall pick.
The debate between Hutchinson and Thibodeaux will continue over the four months of lead-up to the draft, and the Texans would be happy with whichever player the Lions don’t take here. Thibodeaux actually has the better skill set, but Hutchinson is just a consistent force on Michigan’s defense and plays with more fire. Thibodeaux had just one sack and one tackle for loss in a pair of ugly losses to Utah this season. But he is scheme versatile, rushes the passer with power and speed and can make plays in the backfield against the run. The Texans still need to replace J.J. Watt on the edge, and Thibodeaux can be a gamebreaker for them. It’d be the first time since 2000 that a pair of DE/OLB prospects went 1-2 in a draft (Courtney Brown and LaVar Arrington).
In McShay’s mock draft, the Detroit Lions use their No. 1 overall pick to take Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. Either way, it appears pass rushers are going to be the top picks in the 2022 class.
What will ensure the Texans go with a pass rusher is if rookie quarterback Davis Mills can demonstrate growth over the final four games. If Mills can give the Texans a reason to believe they can shore up other areas in the 2022 offseason and not have to take a quarterback, it will help in the long-term process of putting the franchise back together. It will also help them avoid criticism of passing on a quarterback in the draft.
