The Texans might not pick third, after all.
Houston currently owns the third overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. But during a Friday press conference at NRG Stadium, General Manager Nick Caserio hinted the Texans might be willing to deal that first-rounder.
"Whether or not we stay at three, that's a whole separate discussion," Caserio said. "But we'll talk about the draft a little bit later."
Caserio was answering questions mainly about the team's search for a new head coach, as well as why the club moved on from David Culley. But he reeled off a list of positives about Houston's future now versus this time a year ago, and in the process mentioned the idea of maneuvering in the Draft.
"From an asset allocation, from a salary cap structure, from resources," Caserio said. "Players in the building to externally, opportunities that might be available for us in free agency. To, right now we have the third overall pick, or whatever that is. Whether or not we stay at three, that's a whole separate discussion. But we'll talk about the draft a little bit later."
Caserio has been on the job a little over a year, and in that span has shown a willingness to make transactions. The 53-man roster for the final contest of the season featured 31 players who were acquired in the last year via free agency or the waiver wire. Add in the five drafted rookies, and that's 68 percent of the roster.
During the draft weekend last year, Caserio wasn't afraid to deal, as he completed trades up for WR Nico Collins and LB Garret Wallow.
Collectively, the Texans have nine picks in the 2022 NFL Draft. They have their own first, second and third round selections, as well as a third-rounder from New Orleans. The Saints pick came in exchange for CB Bradley Roby. Houston owns the Rams' fourth-rounder, their own sixth-rounder, as well as sixths from the Packers and Jets. They have a seventh-rounder from the Cowboys.
The first Mock Draft Survey saw the experts predicting an offensive or defensive lineman going to Houston at third overall.
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