NFL Draft 2022: Final 32-pick Round 1 mock with trades

NFL Draft Pick No. 3: Houston Texans – Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon

The Houston Texans were expected to consider trading left tackle Laremy Tunsil in the offseason but despite that, Houston has elected to hang onto its franchise left tackle despite missing most of the season due to thumb surgery.

This is relevant because people for the longest time were mocking a tackle to the Jaguars for this reason as both Evan Neal, Ikem Ekwonu and Charles Cross are top-tier tackles who are potentially poised to go in the top 10.

But unless the Texans want to draft a right tackle in the top 10 of the draft, which isn’t impossible but not likely, the best pick would be to take another elite EDGE still on the board.

Kayvon Thibodeaux was once seen as the favorite for the No. 1 pick but concerns over his lack of intensity on some plays as well as the rises of Aidan Hutchinson and Travon Walker this season have seen him slip down the board slightly in an NFL Draft class that has a lot of talented defensive linemen.

Those concerns aside, there’s no doubting that at his best Thibodeaux is a beast at the EDGE position. His ability to play multiple positions along the defensive line and his strong performance during the season and at the combine should still make him a strong candidate to be a top-five pick.

Thibodeaux had seven sacks and 12 tackles for a loss this season. While the questions about whether or not he’ll give 100 percent every snap remain, his talent at the most important position on defense will convince someone to take him sooner rather than later.