Caserio’s first draft class has potential
General manager had more hits than he did misses with limited picks in 2021
The performance of the Texans’ 2021 draft class bodes well for general manager Nick Caserio’s second draft in April.
Caserio entered his first draft with one hand tied behind his back because the Texans didn’t have picks in the first two rounds.
As it stands now, the Texans have nine draft choices in 2022, including their picks in the first three rounds as well as a third-rounder from New Orleans via the trade for cornerback Bradley Roby.
We know from watching Caserio operate that he’ll wheel and deal before making his first pick — possibly first overall on April 28 if the Texans keep playing the way they did in Sunday’s 21-14 loss to the Jets.
Caserio should have multiple first-round picks if he’s finally able to trade quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Caserio’s first draft didn’t begin until the third round, but the players he selected have shown signs of encouragement.
The Texans had five picks — quarterback Davis Mills (third round), receiver Nico Collins (third), tight end Brevin Jordan (fifth), linebacker Garret Wallow (fifth) and defensive tackle Roy Lopez (sixth).
The draft choices have combined for 21 starts. All but Wallow, whose contributions have been on special teams, have started at least two games, with more to come over the last six games.
“Regardless of what their role is, those guys are getting better,” coach David Culley said Monday. “They’re doing a good job of getting better each week. They’re doing a good job of progressing, and I think that’s a credit to the veteran guys on this team.
“They (draft choices) see how (veterans) are being professional about going through a tough year and still going out there every day and doing things the right way. Those guys are falling right into that, and they’re getting better because of it.”
It’s interesting that Lopez, who was Caserio’s last pick, has been the most productive. He has started the last 10 games and become a fixture on Lovie Smith’s defensive line.
Mills played in seven games and started six while Tyrod Taylor was recovering from a hamstring injury. Culley said as long as Taylor’s healthy, he’s the starter, which means Mills might not take another snap this season.
Mills was forced to play before the Texans wanted him to. With the exception of the New England defeat, he struggled against tough competition and went 0-6 as a starter.
Culley was asked if the Texans have seen enough of Mills in games, practice and meetings to believe he can be the starter in 2022.
“I believe he could be a quarterback in this league for a long time,” Culley said.
Losing to the Jets almost assures the Texans of having an opportunity to make one of the first three or four selections. They’re 2-9 and tied with Jacksonville for the NFL’s second-worst record behind Detroit (0-10-1).
At this point in the scouting process, there doesn’t appear to be a quarterback worthy of a top-five pick. That won’t prevent Caserio from taking a quarterback, but if the Texans are willing to go into next season with Mills and a veteran — maybe a resigned Taylor — they can use the draft to build around the most important position on the team.
The last draft choice the Texans placed on the All-Rookie Team was right tackle Tytus Howard in 2019. Howard was their last first-round pick. He was moved to left guard this season and played left tackle against the Jets.
Mills has completed 140 of 209 passes (67 percent) for 1,357 yards and seven touchdowns. He has thrown eight interceptions, averaged 6.5 yards per attempt and posted an 80.2 rating. Among rookie quarterbacks with multiple starts, Mills’ rating is second to New England’s Mac Jones.
Collins has played in eight games, including three starts. He has 18 catches for 228 yards (12.7 average).
Jordan is coming on strong. After being inactive for the first seven games, he has played in four, including two starts. He has nine catches for 80 yards (8.9) and two touchdowns.
Lopez, whose primary job is to tie up blockers, has 19 tackles (two for loss), one sack, one fumble recovery and two quarterback knockdowns. With six games left, he’s assured of having more tackles than any rookie defensive tackle in team history if he stays healthy.
Pro Football Focus gives Lopez a 65.5 grade, which is second among the league’s 11 rookies who play in the interior defensive line.
At some point, the coaches might want to see Wallow on defense and not just on special teams.
“I think we’ve done a tremendous job so far,” Jordan said about the draft class. “Being professionals, learning (from) the vets and trying to do our jobs to the best of our abilities and just be contributors to our team.
“I think the future for our rookie class is very bright. I think we’re going to continue to get better.”
Coaches and veterans have a lot to do with a rookie’s maturation. Some develop faster than others. Jordan gave a lot of credit for the rookies’ progress to Dylan Thompson, who’s in his first season as the Texans’ director of team development.
Thompson played quarterback at South Carolina, and part of his duties is to oversee the rookies.
“That’s my guy,” Jordan said about Thompson, who came to the Texans from the Lions. “We have meetings with him. He’s always making sure we’re good emotionally, physically, mentally — everything. His job is huge, and it’s definitely helped me keep a positive mindset.
”Dylan played football, so (he) knows his football. We look up to him. His job is to be there for us, and he does a tremendous job at it.”
Draft choices have to develop mentally and physically. Jordan also gave credit to Mike Eubanks, the team’s head strength and conditioning coach.
“Coach Mike (and) his staff, that’s what they’re doing right now to the rookie class,” Jordan said. “We lift more than everybody, so it’s about getting bigger (and) stronger.”
And getting better. Caserio will always have an affinity for his first draft class, but if the players don’t produce, he won’t hesitate to send them through that revolving door at NRG Stadium.