Texans traded up with the Broncos to select Alabama LB Christian Harris with the No. 75 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The Broncos acquired pick No. 80 and 162. Harris (6’0/226) was a three-year starter at Alabama who posted 79 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and 12.5 TFLs in 2021. He tended to have his best games when the lights were brightest, with five of 10 career sacks coming in the SEC title game or the CFP. Harris confirmed his play speed with a 4.44 forty at the Combine. He’s a physical gap-plugging linebacker with the range to clean up messes to both sidelines who uses his long arms to keep offensive linemen at bay. The question is his utility on passing downs. Harris was lit up for a 92-1174-7 receiving line on 122 targets over the past three seasons in coverage. He lacks instincts and can be shaken in man coverage. He also needs to clean up his tackling form after missing 34 attempts between 2019 and 2021. If everything breaks right, he could have a De’Vondre Campbell-like career.