The Houston Texans have themselves an alpha “dawg” cornerback.
The Texans made sure to snag a cornerback early before it was too late, drafting Georgia’s Kamari Lassiter with the 42nd overall pick. Lassiter was a fan favorite leading up to the draft to end up in Houston after dominating during his three seasons in Athens.
A two-year starter, Lassiter was essential in helping Georgia win back-to-back national championships under Kirby Smart. Last season, the 6-foot, 186-pounder posted his best numbers, totaling 37 tackles and eight pass breakups.
According to Pro Football Focus, Lassiter did not allow a touchdown in coverage last season while posting a coverage grade of 85.4. On 39 targets, the Georgia native allowed 15 catches for 135 yards.
In Houston, Lassiter should fill the void lost by Steven Nelson long-term. He also could begin his career as a slot defender while competing for first-team reps with Jeff Okudah. The Texans knew they needed to upgrade their secondary and now have found a game-changer in coverage.
Here is how social media reacted to the selection.