Solid Starter
Kenyon Green, G, Texas A&M – Round 1 
Texans general manager Nick Caserio used the first pick he got from the Deshaun Watson trade for a guard. Taking a guard in the first round is always questionable, and Caserio did it at No. 15 overall. The picks that Houston will get from Cleveland will probably be late first-rounders going forward, so having a guard to show for probably the highest of those picks is questionable thinking by Caserio. Still, Green was a very safe pick to turn into a solid pro.
As a pass blocker, Green (6-4, 325) has quality feet and smooth athleticism for such a big blocker. He has the ability to use his feet to wall off speed rushers and get depth in his drop. With his rare agility for a big, thick blocker, Green is able to handle speed rushers coming off the edge. His size also leads to Green having a good anchor to stonewall bull rushes and keep them from pushing him back into the pocket. Green’s pass-protection skills looked better at guard compared to when he was forced to play tackle. For the NFL, he should be an asset at guard and might be able to play some tackle in an emergency.
In the ground game, Green can generate movement, as he will lean on defenders, get within their frame and push, and manipulate them. Green has the strength to push defenders out of their gaps and open holes. As a run blocker, Green was packs a punch off the line, sustains his blocks with strength, and moves defenders the direction he wants them to go consistently.
The Texans hit on some early-round picks on the offensive line under former general manager Rick Smith, but then blew picks on interior lineman when Bill O’Brien was calling the shots. Thus, Green should be a plug-and-play starter who ends up having a long and solid career in the NFL.
2021: Brevin Jordan, TE
2020: Ross Blacklock, DT
2019: Max Scharping, OT
2018: Martinas Rankin, OT
2017: Zach Cunningham, LB
2016: Nick Martin, C
2015: Benardrick McKinney, LB
2014: Louis Nix, DT
2013: DeAndre Hopkins, WR
Most Likely To Bust
Jalen Pitre, S, Baylor – Round 2 
While Pitre (5-10, 196) received a lot of media hype, at least some NFL teams had not bought in, per scouts. Sources from three different franchises said their teams had Pitre with late-round grades and a projection of being a future backup and special teams player, but Pitre ended up rising into the second day and going to the Texans high in Round 2.
Pitre is limited for pass coverage because of his size. He does not have the speed or length to be a deep free safety who can play the single-high spot and lock down the deep part of the field. Along with being undersized, Pitre is stiff and not fluid in pass coverage. Hence, he is not a fit to play slot cornerback to run with slot receivers or cover tight ends in man coverage. Pitre is going to have problems running with pro wideouts and preventing separation.
In run defense, Pitre is willing to tackle, and he shows solid form to take legs out from underneath ball-carriers to get them on the ground. However, Pitre is too small to be a strong safety and serve as the eighth man in the box. Near the line of scrimmage, he will have problems defending downhill runs coming straight at him. Pitre does show good recognition skills and anticipates well, so he is valuable to chase down ball-carriers and make tackles in space. Pitre is a willing run defender, but his size presents significant limitations for the NFL.
Pitre could be a quick starter for the Texans because they lost Justin Reid in the offseason. His skill-set limitations are worrisome, however, and of Houston’s early-round picks, Pitre looks like he has the most bust potential.
2021: Davis Mills, QB
2020: Charlie Heck, OT
2019: Lonnie Johnson, CB
2018: Keke Coutee, WR
2017: Julie’n Davenport, OT
2016: Braxton Miller, WR
2015: Jaelen Strong, WR
2014: Xavier Su’a-Filo, G
2013: Sam Montgomery, DE
Potential Boom Pick
Derek Stingley, CB, LSU – Round 1 
The Texans have had a big hole at the cornerback position since veterans Jonathan Joseph and Kareem Jackson aged out. Stingley has the ability to be an elite cornerback in the passing-driven NFL, and he possesses the upside to be a perennial Pro Bowler. The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder has a great combination of size, speed and athleticism.
As a cover corner, there really isn’t anything that Stingley can’t do. He is fast, athletic, long and fluid. Stingley shows the speed and agility to run the route and prevent separation. He does an excellent job of staying in phase and not taking false steps that allow distance to develop. Stingley also can flip his hips and run along the sideline, plus his length and athleticism to close give him impressive recovery skills. Stingley can handle big receivers or speed receivers while showing the ability to play press-man, off-man, or zone.
Stingley has the No. 1-corner mentality where he is comfortable playing on the island and going one-on-one with receivers. He doesn’t need safety help and doesn’t panic when passes are coming his direction. With advanced composure and poise, Stingley stays calm to defend the ball and avoids penalties by not grabbing or getting too physical.
The ball skills that Stingley displayed as a freshman in 2019 were extraordinary. He did a super job of playing the ball and defending 50-50 passes. He timed his breakups perfectly and smacked away a lot of potential receptions. While he is adept at breaking up passes, Stingley has great hands and is dangerous to pick off passes. He high points the ball extremely well and is natural at tracking passes downfield.
If Stingley is even close to his 2019 form as a pro, he will immediately become the best player on Houston’s defense and could give Laremy Tunsil a run as the best player on the team. Stingley possesses huge boom-pick potentia,l and I believe Lovie Smith can help coach Stingley into being an All-Pro.
2021: None
2020: Jon Greenard, DE
2019: Tytus Howard, OT
2018: Justin Reid, S
2017: Deshaun Watson, QB
2016: Will Fuller, WR
2015: Kevin Johnson, CB
2014: Jadeveon Clowney, DE
2013: D.J. Swearinger, S
Future Depth Player
Dameon Pierce, RB, Florida – Round 4 
It would not be shocking if Pierce ends up becoming the starter for the Texans and exceeds backup status. Pierce slid in the 2022 NFL Draft because of a slow 40 time, but he was an excellent runner in the SEC, and at the Senior Bowl, he played faster than his timed speed. With his skill set, Pierce (5-9, 220) is a sleeper back who could have three-down starting potential.
Pierce is a hard-nosed runner who runs angry and will bring pain to defenders who try to tackle him. Coming downhill, Pierce shows serious aggression to run through defenders and power through them to continue to add yards. Even though Pierce is a powerful back, he is not a slow plodder, instead possessing some quickness. In the passing game, Pierce is a nice option as an outlet receiver. He is smooth in space and has soft, reliable hands. As a pro, Pierce could be a solid contributor as a receiver and should be a treasure as a blocker. At the Senior Bowl, Pierce put on display superb blocking ability. I think he could turn into a starter for the Texans and at least be a good backup. Pierce has the potential to be a massive steal as a fourth-round pick.
2021: Nico Collins, WR
2020: Isaiah Coulter, WR
2019: Kahale Warring, TE
2018: Jordan Aikens, TE
2017: Carlos Watkins, DT
2016: Tyler Ervin, RB
2015: Reshard Cliet, LB
2014: Andre Hal, S
2013: David Quessenberry, OL
Walt’s 2022 NFL Draft Grades:
3. Derek Stingley, CB, LSU – B+ Grade
I’m surprised the Texans are drafting a cornerback this early because the Buccaneers and Bears never drafted cornerbacks early when Lovie Smith was coaching them. Cornerbacks never call for a premium draft pick in Smith’s system. However, I can understand why the Texans wouldn’t pass on Stingley. He’s an amazing cornerback who looked like a generational player in his first season at LSU. He has been injured since, so there’s some major risk here, but the upside is through the roof. Though I didn’t have this pick in my mock draft, I certainly won’t criticize it because I think it’s a good selection.
15. Kenyon Green, G, Texas A&M – D Grade
At least the Texans moved back. This is pretty bad though. Kenyon Green is a guard who should have gone in the 24-40 range, so this is a reach. I wonder if the Texans don’t already regret not picking a tackle at three and then a cornerback like Trent McDuffie at No. 18. As usual, the Texans have no idea what they are doing.
37. Jalen Pitre, S, Baylor – B- Grade
The Texans addressed the secondary yet again, which isn’t a surprise because they had such a need in that area. Jalen Pitre is a solid pick here, as I thought he would possibly go in the middle of the second frame. He had a solid combine, and that really helped his draft stock.
44. John Metchie, WR, Alabama – D Grade
I like John Metchie just fine, but he should have gone about a round later than this. He’s an injured receiver, yet didn’t drop at all for some reason because this may have been his natural range. I don’t know why the Texans traded up for him with some talented receivers still on the board. It’s a typical Houston maneuver to not understand draft value at all.
75. Christian Harris, LB, Alabama – A- Grade
I could tell you that the Texans needed linebacker help, but the Texans need help everywhere. Their roster is barren, so just adding the best player available at every spot made sense. Christian Harris could qualify if Nakobe Dean is ignored. Harris is someone I’ve mocked in the second round, so I like this value.
107. Dameon Pierce, RB, Florida – A- Grade
The Texans needed a running back, and the Jets stole Breece Hall from them in the second round. Dameon Pierce, a tough runner, is a nice consolation prize here in the fourth round. I thought he’d go a round earlier, so I like this pick.
150. Thomas Booker, DE, Stanford – B+ Grade
This is a solid pick, as I had Thomas Booker in this area. Booker is a versatile defensive lineman who can play in any scheme. The Texans needed help up front, but then again, they need help everywhere.
170. Teagan Quitoriano, TE, Oregon State – D Grade
I never had Teagan Quitoriano on my radar at all. He’s just a blocking tight end, which can be found anywhere. This seems like a pick that could easily have been made in the seventh round.
205. Austin Deculus, OT/G, LSU – A- Grade
It’s no surprise that the Texans are addressing their offensive line again. They’re getting a solid third-day prospect I had in the fifth round. Austin Deculus is a versatile player who can be used at tackle or guard.
2022 NFL Draft Team Grade: C-. Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.
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