The Deshaun Watson saga is finally over in Houston as the Texans have traded him to the Cleveland Browns for three first-round picks and a bunch of late Day 2 and Day 3 picks in upcoming drafts. Loaded with a ton of cap space and draft capital, the Texans can now begin their build and look forward to the future.
With two first-round picks in 2022, it's a massive draft for general manager Nick Caserio. If he can nail the first two picks, it will give the Texans a great start with their rebuild. But where should they go at No. 3 and No. 13? What positions might they try to fix and who could be a potential target? Here are their 2022 draft picks, along with their biggest needs. There is no outlet for legal Texas sports betting at this time.
Houston Texans 2022 NFL Draft Picks
- Round 1 (No. 3)
- Round 1 (No. 13)
- Round 2 (No. 37)
- Round 3 (No. 68)
- Round 3 (No. 80)
- Round 4 (No. 107)
- Round 4 (No. 108)
- Round 6 (No. 183)
- Round 6 (No. 206)
- Round 6 (No. 208)
- Round 7 (No. 246)
Houston Texans Biggest Needs in 2022 NFL Draft
- Defensive end
- Guard
- Cornerback
- Wide receiver
The Texans have a bunch of draft picks, including two first-round selections inside of the top 15 in 2022. However, they also have a bunch of needs. There isn't a position they don't need early, but the expectation is that they want to wait and see how Davis Mills develops before picking another quarterback.
So where could the Texans go in Round 1? It seems very likely that they will pick a pass rusher at No. 3. Aidan Hutchinson (Michigan) will likely be off the board, but Kayvon Thibodeaux (Oregon) and Travon Walker (Georgia) both would make a ton of sense.
Another spot the Texans could look to improve is wide receiver. They are bringing Brandin Cooks and Nico Collins back in 2022, but they could use another dynamic playmaker. Garrett Wilson (Ohio State) is the top receiver in the class and can play both in the slot and on the outside. But if the Texans want to add more speed to their offense, maybe they roll the dice on Jameson Williams (Alabama), who is coming off a torn ACL.
If the Texans don’t pick a receiver at No. 13, look for them to potentially upgrade their cornerback room. Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner (Cincinnati) is one of the top defenders in the class and profiles as a lock-down cornerback in the NFL. Derek Stingley (LSU) is the more gifted cornerback, but he has trouble staying healthy. Either would be great options for the Texans at No. 13, especially if they can fill their pass rush need earlier in the first round.
After Round 1, the Texans need to find players that can improve their depth and contribute right away. Look for them to use their top-100 selections to build up their secondary and their pass rush. With so many picks this year (and in 2023 and 2024), the Texans are finally in a great position to start their rebuilding process.
Houston Texans Super Bowl 57 Odds
As you would expect, the Super Bowl odds for the Texans in 2022 are low. They play in the AFC, which looks to be as competitive as ever. According to DraftKings Sportsbook, the Texans have the worst Super Bowl odds in the NFL (+20000), tied with the Jets. Even in the AFC South, the Texans are +2200 underdogs to win the division. The Texans are still several years away from competing, but they now have a war chest of assets to help them return to being a threat in the AFC.
