Houston Texans’ best round two draft fits: Georgia cornerback Kamari Lassiter
The Houston Texans should be pursuing a cornerback in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, that is, unless something crazy happens and there is a player at a different position available that they simply cannot pass on. Trading for Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs pretty much exiles any idea of the Texans […]
The Houston Texans should be pursuing a cornerback in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, that is, unless something crazy happens and there is a player at a different position available that they simply cannot pass on. Trading for Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs pretty much exiles any idea of the Texans going with a wide receiver with their first pick.
They have other needs, and most of them are on the defensive side of the ball. The biggest one, in my opinion, is cornerback, where they need another guy who can lock up his opponent. They have Derek Stingley Jr., a top-five cornerback in the league, but their supporting cast in that department can come off as underwhelming.
The Texans signed Jeff Okudah, a former top-10 pick in the draft, and C.J. Henderson, a veteran with some juice. However, drafting a cornerback high would be an extremely smart idea. And, when you look at who could be available at pick No. 42, the Texans' first pick, you may see that one cornerback in particular fits exactly what the Texans need. On A to Z Sports' Big Board, Georgia cornerback Kamari Lassiter should be available, as he is our No. 42 prospect and the sixth-ranked cornerback prospect.
Texans should look at Georgia CB Kamari Lassiter
The Texans need a guy that fits the culture. After last season, it's important to keep players on the team who fall into the culture it took so long to build and the culture that DeMeco Ryans has installed. Their culture is to SWARM, as Ryans would say. They play fast, aggressively, mean, and fly to the ball. It just so happens that Lassiter does all of those things.
One of the best things about Lassiter is the fact he played in the SEC. That means he played against the best possible talent every single week. He played in Georgia, so he knows how to win, as he has two National Championship rings. The Texans are in the stage where they transition from a playoff team to a Super Bowl winner, so adding young guys who know how to win is key.
Lassiter has the skill set to be a day-one starter, too. Now, it won't just be handed to him, but he can battle Henderson and Okudah for that spot. His size and length will be extremely helpful and will make him fun to watch in one-on-ones when training camp rolls around. Here are Lassiter's strengths and weaknesses:
STRENGTHS
- An unwavering presence patrolling the flats
- Disruptive at the catch-point. Plays through the hands & attacks the ball
- Impactful jam at the LOS. Forces WRs to fight through contact
- Quality route anticipation & response time from single coverage
- Crowds outside releases to the sideline
- Good play strength to absorb contact at the top of the route
- Balanced open-field tackler
- Flashes quick closing burst from off-coverage
- Stays in a phase when playing trail-technique
- Physicality keeps WRs out of their comfort zone
WEAKNESSES
- Overly physical & grabby in man coverage
- Struggles to identify match coverage responsibilities. Leaves deep crossers unattended in cover 3
- Commits to the first break & gets beat vs. double moves/blaze-outs
- Delayed & segmented transitions out of press
- Stops his feet at the LOS & reaches
- Poor recovery speed, has to tug at the jersey if he gets stacked
- Plays with inconsistent depth vs. high-low concepts
- Gets confused by switch releases/rub routes in short-yardage situations
- Undisciplined hips when WRs attack his blind spot
- Will cheat inside & lose contain vs. outside runs
The Texans have been hitting on everything so far in the offseason, and if they take Lassiter in round two of the draft, you can add that move to the list as well.
An updated look at the Houston Texans’ 2024 draft picks after the Stefon Diggs trade
The Texans gained an extra draft pick after the trade.
