The Houston Texans visited Southern California for a while, but not to take advantage of the nice weather. During their stay at USC, the Texans scouted potential players. Consequently, they took two former Trojans with them as they left the 2024 NFL Draft.
On the second draft day, Houston selected safety Calen Bullock with their last pick (78th overall). Solomon Byrd was selected by the Texans in the seventh round (No. 238) before Day 3 came to an end on Saturday night.
Coach DeMeco Ryans is eager to bring USC prospects to Houston’s squad because he thinks each one of them has the SWARM attitude.
“Starting with Bullock, you see just his ball skills, his range back there in the deep half of the field — it just stood out,” Ryans stated. “He’s an exceptional playmaker who attacks the ball. That’s what we are about on defence. That’s what Bullock does. That’s what we’re looking for him to do for us.”
When it comes to passing defence at the end of the 2023 season, the Texans were in the lower half of the league. The 2023 season saw them give up 234.1 passing yards, largely due to the poor performance of the team’s safety unit.
Bullock was one of the team’s top defensive playmakers going into the draft. He recorded nine interceptions and fifteen pass deflections in his three years at USC.
Given the kind of quarterbacks the Texans will encounter on their path to the championship, Ryans underlined the need for Houston’s defence to improve. After their horrible January playoff defeat to Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens, he sought to strengthen the defensive backfield while bolstering the front four.
“When it came to [Solomon] Byrd, just looking at a guy that has the traits to play our style up front,” Ryans stated. “We’re excited about him. At that stage in the draft, adding a guy who had the skill set that we like, length, and he can pressure the quarterback.” “He plays hard, relentlessly. He’s a tough player.
Byrd strengthens what is perhaps the Texans’ strongest position, which is led by All-Pro Danielle Hunter and reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year winner Will Anderson Jr.
Byrd, who finished his college career with 20.0 sacks and a pass rush grade of 81.7 in 2023, is a dependable pass-rusher who can help the Texans consistently pressure the quarterback of the opposition. But aside from his ability to pressure the quarterback, Byrd can also cause disruptions against the run.
According to Pro Football Focus, he lined up against the run in 285 defensive snaps and received a grade of 74.8.
The Texans are hoping that the nine players selected in the 2024 NFL Draft will help the team improve next year. Bullock and Byrd may be key players in helping Ryans realize his goals for the defence, demonstrating that the team’s time in Southern California was well worth it.
“I appreciate every pick we made, and I think we’ve added great players on offence and great players on defence,” Ryans remarked. I can’t wait to collaborate with each of them. Every one of our coaches is revved up and eager to work with the players we selected.”
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