Kenyon Green was drafted by the Houston Texans as the 15th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Green was the only Aggie to be drafted in the first round, and he could help improve the play of the Texans’ interior offensive line. Houston ranked 29th according to PFF’s offensive line rankings in 2021; Texans’ center Justin Britt was really the only somewhat dependable lineman. Expect Green to be an instant starter and make an impact when the season starts. Here’s more about Green and his potential to be one of the top offensive linemen in the NFL.
What Makes Kenyon Green Different?
Green was the top recruit in the state of Texas from the class of 2019 for good reason. His incredible size at 6’4″ and 328 pounds establishes him as a capable force on the offensive front. Green’s versatility shows in the running game, for he frequently helped both Isaiah Spiller and Devon Achane have big running plays by blocking in the open field on counters.
Moreover, Green was often willing to adapt himself to play different positions on the offensive line while at Texas A&M. Although he clearly plays best at guard, Texans’ head coach Lovie Smith can put him at different spots and see what best fits for him.
Green was fortunate enough to go against the best of the best in the SEC. On film, Green rarely allowed any pressure on Zach Calzada from his side, and some could argue he was the best player for the Aggies. His locker room presence can carry over to Houston, and he will certainly be one of the leaders on the team even as a rookie.
How Can Kenyon Green Help Houston?
Green will obviously contribute to improving the Texans’ power running game scheme. If Green can become a reliable lineman, Houston offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton will direct running plays towards the left side.
Unfortunately, the Texans just need more talent to even have a chance to win the AFC South. Houston has a decent running back in Royce Freeman, but the passing game will probably not be effective with either Davis Mills or Kyle Allen at quarterback.
One area where Green can still improve is pass blocking. Offensive line coach George Warhop should spent a good amount of time with Green to help him understand new blitz packages, learn to block agile defenders, and study techniques in the NFL relative to college. Green has the talent to be one of the best linemen in the NFL, but it takes time to earn that reputation.
Concluding Thoughts
This was a safe and efficient pick by the Houston Texans in drafting Kenyon Green. Coach Smith got a talented guard with high character and potential to have a long career in the league. Now, Green just has to prove to the world that he’s capable of establishing his presence on the offensive front in the NFL and make Texas A&M fans proud.
