2022 NFL Draft: Houston Texans: 7-round mock

Houston Texans Mock Draft – Fourth Round

Great name, even better player. While Auburn has not been as good as it has been in recent years, safety Smoke Monday had long been one of their better defensive backs. He has gone up against elite receiving corps for years in SEC play. Not only that but playing at Auburn means you play in the toughest division in football and draw Georgia as your cross-divisional opponent annually.

Though Auburn’s frustrating 6-7 first season under Bryan Harsin will inevitably ding players’ draft capital, Monday should be coming off the board sometime relatively early in day two. Had the Tigers had a better season and just decided to not impatiently get off the Gus Bus, Monday is probably a third-round pick. Regardless, this would be a tremendous value pickup for Houston.

Besides being a versatile playmaker in the back-end of Auburn’s defense for years, Monday was coached up by excellent defensive minds. Though he may have only worked with Derek Mason for a year down on The Plains, his defensive coordinator before that was Kevin Steele, one of the best defensive coordinators and recruiters in the entire Power Five. Smith will love him some Smoke.

Despite this being a very heavy offensive draft for Houston, taking Monday at No. 136 will work.