NFL Draft guru cites prototype CB and top LB prospect as the perfect top picks for the Houston Texans.
Both of these 2024 NFL Draft selections will increase the physicality of the Texans defense.
Entering the 2024 NFL season, the Houston Texans are the “it” club in the NFL after a 10-7 season and a successful free agency class. Is general manager Nick Caserio able to discover additional diamonds in the draft without using a first-round pick as the 2024 NFL Draft approaches?
The Texans are effectively punting on the first round of this year’s draft by dealing the Minnesota Vikings the No. 23 overall pick. The strategy for the draft is to locate players who can further complement a young team that is rapidly improving because of the depth of skill and the defensive and offensive lineup Caserio has already assembled for head coach DeMeco Ryans.
The Texans are a team that isn’t content with finishing last in the AFC South; they are going all out, as evidenced by their acquisition of 4-time Pro Bowler Danielle Hunter via free agency or by the trade of Stefon Diggs.
With two physical prospects, NFL draft analyst believes the Houston Texans may strengthen their defense.
So, in the draft, whom should Caserio target? Chad Reuter, an NFL Draft analyst, has identified two intriguing prospects for the Texans to consider at Nos. 42 and 59 in the 2024 NFL Draft. It’s interesting to note that Texas A&M standout linebacker Edgerrin Cooper and Notre Dame’s Cam Hart are both defensive athletes.
Reuter states:
The Texans can use their two second-round picks to address other needs after trading for receiver Stefon Diggs. Hart is a good fit in Houston because of his stature (6-3, 202 pounds, 33-inch arms), speed (4.5 40), and combination of both, especially with free-agent signees Jeff Okudah and C.J. Henderson coming off seasons cut short by injuries. Due to his quickness (he ran a 4.51 40 at 230 pounds), Cooper might be selected in the second round, which would allow him to exploit defensive end DeMeco Ryans’ plays in the backfield and along the boundary.
It’s difficult to argue against Texas’ strategy of adding speed to their defense in order to compete with the likes of the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs for the AFC title, particularly if they can sign Cooper, the best linebacker prospect in a year when the linebacker position is thin on the ground.
Despite being listed as a top-20 talent by some publications, Cooper’s ceiling in this selection is late second round because of the necessity of teams selecting before the Texans and the depth at other skilled positions. As Reuter noted, Ryans, a former NFL linebacker who is now a head coach, will find motivation in the team’s quickness. In addition, his punishing hits and blitzing abilities are impressive. Cooper is a fierce young linebacker who will deliver the thunder, especially with Hunter and Will Anderson coming off the edge. The Texas A&M standout is a perfect fit for the Texans.
Regarding the top cornerbacks in the draft, Hart’s name isn’t often brought up, but his size and quickness will help the Texans secondary, which is led by safety Jalen Pitre and 2022 first-round pick Derek Stingley Jr. Ryans would be intrigued by Hart’s physicality, much like Cooper would be.
Caserio will continue to lead the Texans to great draft selections in the following drafts if the team successfully selects these two players, setting an example for rebuilt teams to follow.
