The Houston Texans loaded up on SEC Football talent to fill a roster devoid of talent. The Texans began this rebuild in full swing while other teams in the AFC South took a big step backwards.
Recapping the AFC South’s SEC Football picks from the 2022 NFL Draft
Houston Texans
- Round 1 Pick 3: LSU CB Derek Stingley Jr.
- Round 1 Pick 15: Texas A&M IOL Kenyon Green
- Round 2 Pick 44: Alabama WR John Metchie III
- Round 3 Pick 75: Alabama LB Christian Harris
- Round 4 Pick 107: Florida RB Dameon Pierce
- Round 6 Pick 205: LSU OT Austin Deculus
The Houston Texans stocked up with SEC Football talent during the 2022 NFL Draft. As the draft approached, more and more smoke connected LSU CB Derek Stingley Jr. and the Houston Texans. The pairing became a reality when the Texans took the stalwart defensive back 3rd overall. The Texans traded down and compiled several draft picks while still drafting Texas A&M IOL Kenyon Green. Green is a mauling tone-setter up front that will immediately improve the Texans’ running game. The Texans continued the additions by selecting Alabama teammates John Metchie and Christian Harris in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. Metchie is an ideal complement for Brandin Cooks. Harris can quickly develop into the leader of the Texans’ front seven. In the 4th round the Texans added bruising back Dameon Pierce out of Florida. Pierce was one of my favorite players entering the draft and will bring a physical style that the Texans desperately need in their backfield.
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Round 1 Pick 1: Georgia DE Travon Walker
- Round 3 Pick 65: Kentucky C Luke Fortner
- Round 5 Pick 154: Ole Miss RB Snoop Conner
- Round 7 Pick 222: Arkansas CB Montaric Brown
The success of the Jacksonville Jaguars draft class will be determined by whether they were right to bet on the physical gifts of Travon Walker out of Georgia. I still believe it is a risky call, but if Walker becomes a perennial force on the Jaguars’ defensive line, this draft class will be a smashing success. New Head Coach Doug Pederson came from Philadelphia, where he had an All-Pro Center in Jason Kelce anchoring the offensive line. I believe that is the origin of the emphasis on the Luke Fortner selection in the 3rd round. The Jaguars thought highly enough of RB Snoop Conner to trade up for him. I am interested to see what they have in mind for Snoop. 7th round selection Montaric Brown has a sneaky chance to make this roster.
Tennessee Titans
- Round 1 Pick 18: Arkansas WR Treylon Burks
- Round 2 Pick 35: Auburn CB Roger McCreary
- Round 6 Pick 204: Tennessee S Theo Jackson
- Round 6 Pick 219: Ole Miss LB Chance Campbell
The Tennessee Titans shocked the football universe when they traded former Ole Miss superstar A.J. Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles. With the 1st round pick acquired in the Brown trade, the Titans took who they believe to be the heir-apparent in Treylon Burks out of Arkansas. Anytime you trade a young, known quantity like A.J. Brown for a prospect whose future is truly a mystery, it leaves us scratching our heads. Burks is an incredibly gifted athlete with a unique skill set, but A.J. Brown he is not. I loved the film on Roger McCreary of Auburn. Unfortunately, measuring in undersized at the Scouting Combine will limit him to slot duty at the next level. The Titans selected Theo Jackson out of Tennessee and Chance Campbell out of Ole Miss will their final two selections in the 6th round. Both prospects have the look of future core special teamers.