Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio said the club may not be able to move out of No. 3 overall in Round 1 of the 2022 NFL draft.
According to Josh Edwards from CBS Sports, the Texans aren’t able to find a trade partner for their first of two Round 1 selections and are forced to use it. Houston fortifies the offensive line with NC State’s Ikem Ekwonu.
Despite the extension for Laremy Tunsil, it does not necessarily solidify his stance with the organization long-term. It is not only conceivable, but likely that they would move on from him next off-season. Tunsil is slated to carry a cap hit of $35.2 million whereas cutting him would save $19 million towards the salary cap. Ekwonu raises the floor of the starting five this season while also allowing them some flexibility into the future.
In the meantime, Houston could kick Ekwonu inside to play guard as they keep former 2019 first-round pick Tytus Howard at right tackle.
Houston is able to move off from No. 13 overall as they convince the Pittsburgh Steelers to move up and pick Liberty quarterback Malik Willis, who Edwards says Pittsburgh gave up a future second-round pick in the process to get their heir apparent to Ben Roethlisberger.
The Texans slide down to No. 20 overall and address a need a cornerback in Clemson’s Andrew Booth.
After trading back with Pittsburgh, Houston picks up future draft compensation while adding a quality player in the form of Booth. He has played a lot of zone coverage at Clemson but has the size and speed to handle more man coverage responsibilities.
Michigan safety Daxton Hill, Arkansas receiver Treylon Burks, Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum, and Texas A&M guard Kenyon Green are all still on the board. The selection of Booth would be addressing a need and not so much going with the best player available.
The added capital would allow Caserio to wheel and deal and target the players he feels add competition to the roster. The Steelers would also get a decent quarterback to at least make a qualified attempt to move on from Roethlisberger.
