With the NFL draft hours away, the league is buzzing. Teams have finalized their big boards and are making exploratory calls to other teams if an opportunity to trade up or down in the draft presents itself. The Falcons currently own the eighth overall pick but could be a candidate to trade down. According to Adam Schefter, the Texans, who own the third and thirteenth overall picks, have been exploring a trade back into the top ten.
Houston picks No. 3, but Texans also have been exploring a trade back up for a second top-10 pick, per league sources. If the right player is there, the Texans are trying to position themselves to move their second first-round pick at No. 13 to go get him.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 28, 2022
How I see it: Houston will likely target Evan Neal or Ikem Ekwonu with their third overall pick. Even though the Texans are solid at left tackle with Laremy Tunsil, both prospects are versatile players. Neal can play left guard and right tackle, while Ekwonu should be able to kick inside to left guard with ease. Selecting a guard with the third pick is rich, but Ekwonu has All-Pro potential on the inside.
I think the reason the Texans might be interested in trading back into the first round is the case where an elite-caliber defensive back falls. Derek Stingley Jr., Ahmad Gardner, and Kyle Hamilton should all be attractive prospects for Houston. However, those three prospects won’t make it past Seattle, New York, Washington, or Minnesota. Therefore, the Texans would have to leap those teams to grab one of the aforementioned defensive backs.
Atlanta could be in a fortuitous position to trade back with Houston and land an additional second-rounder. Given the roster’s desperate need for upgrading, loading up on picks could be an avenue that interests Terry Fontenot. Even though it’d be nice, the Falcons don’t need one elite prospect; they need to upgrade a dozen positions. This could be the opportunity to do so.
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