The Houston Texans still have the image of a team without direction, but perhaps this 2022 NFL Mock Draft can help change things. There’s still a lot of work to do on the Texans’ roster, but another NFL Draft of adding building blocks could start to shift momentum in the right direction.
Houston Texans 2022 7-Round Mock Draft
Contrary to the 2021 NFL Draft, the Texans aren’t short on picks this year. Houston has 10 total picks in the 2022 NFL Draft. Five of those picks — two each in Rounds 1 and 3, and another one in Round 2 — reside in the early rounds. They have one pick in Rounds 4 and 7, and Round 6 contains the three final selections.
With the season long finalized, the official NFL Draft order is set and has the Texans selecting at third overall. They also have the 13th overall pick, acquired from the Browns in a blockbuster trade for Deshaun Watson. We used the free PFN Mock Draft Simulator to conduct this Houston Texans 2022 NFL Mock Draft.
Round 1, Pick 3: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
The Texans are in an interesting spot at third overall. Most 2022 NFL mock drafts have them picking an edge rusher, but if Evan Neal falls, you seriously have to consider picking him to help protect Davis Mills in a crucial development year. Marcus Cannon, the team’s starting right tackle for a short spell, was cut at the start of free agency. Neal can slide in at right tackle and lock down that side while allowing Tytus Howard to stay inside at guard.
Round 1, Pick 13: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
With their first-round pick acquired from the Cleveland Browns in the trade for Watson, the Texans get a player who might be the best prospect on the board. Devin Lloyd could be a great fit in Lovie Smith’s linebacker-friendly scheme. He’s a stellar athlete with the length and explosiveness to make plays in the middle of the field. He’s also incredibly instinctive, with great reaction quickness, recognition, and adaptability mid-rep.
Round 2, Pick 37: Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota
It’s tough passing on Kayvon Thibodeaux, but there’s enough depth in the 2021 EDGE class where the Texans can feasibly wait until Day 2 to address that position. Boye Mafe isn’t quite the prospect that Thibodeaux is, but he has a comparably high upside. At 6’4″, 261 pounds, Mafe logged a 4.53 40-yard dash, a 38-inch vertical, and a 125-inch broad jump at the NFL Combine. He’s explosive, bendy, has good functional strength, and is trending up with his hand usage.
Round 3, Pick 68: Jalen Tolbert, WR, South Alabama
The Texans have had trouble acquiring and developing talent in recent years, and the wide receiver position hasn’t been spared from that stagnation. Aside from Brandin Cooks and the unproven Nico Collins, Houston’s WR corps is mainly filled with journeymen. The 2022 NFL Draft is a great opportunity to put the wheels of change in motion. Jalen Tolbert has enough size for the Texans, and he’s also a good athlete with natural separation ability and instincts at the catch point.
Round 3, Pick 80: Cam Taylor-Britt, CB, Nebraska
It feels like the Texans’ secondary has been a major problem for years on end, dating back almost a half-decade. It would be wise for the Texans to pick at least two defensive backs from the strong 2022 NFL Draft. In this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, the Houston Texans get started with Nebraska’s Cam Taylor-Britt. Taylor-Britt’s versatility alone would be a major asset for Lovie Smith. But Taylor-Britt is also fast, explosive, physical, and an able playmaker when the ball is in the air.
Round 4, Pick 136: Nick Cross, S, Maryland
The Houston Texans can’t afford to get selective in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. The secondary is essentially starting from square one, especially with Justin Reid joining the Chiefs. Thus, neither cornerback nor safety can be ignored. Cam Taylor-Britt is more of a developmental pick. The former Maryland standout still struggles with angles and instincts at times, but Nick Cross‘ upside is unrivaled. He’s 6’0″, 212 pounds, with 4.34 speed, a 37-inch vertical, and a 130-inch broad. He has great range and could grow into a star.
Round 6, Pick 182: Vincent Gray, CB, Michigan
Not only is the 2022 NFL Draft strong up top at the cornerback position, but it’s also incredibly deep. In fact, it may be one of the deepest positions. If you can get a player like Vincent Gray on Day 3, you leap to the podium. Gray falls under the radar at times, and some bad plays in big moments deflated his stock. But his tape is littered with higher-quality reps. He’s reasonably fluid at 6’2″, 192 pounds, and he’s physical and proactive at the catch point.
Round 6, Pick 204: Christopher Allen, EDGE, Alabama
Doubling up at EDGE, the Houston Texans take Alabama’s Christopher Allen in Round 6 of this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. Allen is another player falling under the radar in the 2022 NFL Draft. He missed most of the 2021 season after suffering a foot injury in the first game, but he ultimately declared anyway. Allen wasn’t able to test at the Combine, but his athleticism shows up on tape. At 6’3 1/2″, 241 pounds, he’s fairly explosive and flexible, with great lateral agility.
Round 6, Pick 206: D’Vonte Price, RB, FIU
Staying on-brand for the Texans, Houston’s running back room is also filled with journeymen, and it’s due for an overhaul. Now, I get it — Round 6 doesn’t scream “overhaul.” But D’Vonte Price could go on to be one of the better value deals in the 2022 NFL Draft. The FIU product is 6’1″, 210 pounds, with blazing 4.38 speed. He hits the hole quickly and has dynamic ability as a north-and-south runner.
Round 7, Pick 243: Ty Fryfogle, WR, Indiana
The Houston Texans close out this 2022 NFL Mock Draft by taking a second wide receiver. This time, it’s Ty Fryfogle from Indiana. Fryfogle is a better match for the size preferences that the Texans have shown to have in recent years. The former Hoosier is 6’1″, 204 pounds, with outstanding vertical explosiveness. He’s fairly stiff as a route runner, but on simple routes, he can haul in passes amidst contact. And he’s a solid contested-catch threat.
