Texans Wire's Cole Thompson reports that second-round rookie CB Kamari Lassiter "was the talk of OTAs." Thompson says the team drafted Lassiter -- 42nd overall, Houston's first pick of the draft -- with hopes he'd compete for the nickel CB role. But Lassiter "held his own working first-team reps on the boundary" against a strong group of Texans WRs. If Lassiter continues his strong play through training camp, he could compete for the starting gig opposite Derek Stingley Jr. His primary competition for that spot will be Jeff Okudah, a former first-round pick of the Lions who's now with his third team. Okudah signed a one-year, $4.75 million deal with the Texans this offseason.
Thompson on the rookie: "Lassiter looked fluid when breaking out of his backpedal and seemed eager to improve after a bad rep."
DC Matt Burke said in late May that he would let the summer help sort out exactly where Lassiter fits in the defense: "A little bit is going to be how much he can absorb. He’s just a really smart football player and grasps things pretty well.”
Pro Football Focus' Gordon McGuinness on Lassiter's competition: "Okudah has yet to live up to his billing as the third-overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft, with his below-average career-high PFF coverage grade (54.4) coming in 2022. It’s a similar story for [C.J.] Henderson, who was the ninth-overall pick in that same draft. His 48.9 career-high PFF grade is even lower than Okudah’s."
Lassiter didn't most big numbers across three seasons at Georgia. He topped out at 38 total tackles and 30 solos as a 2022 sophomore. He totaled 14 passes defensed, with a single-season high of 8. And Lassiter snagged just 1 INT.
But playing across from Stingley could be a sneaky-positive spot. Stingley tied for sixth among all CBs in PFF coverage grade last season. And an exciting Houston pass offense could score enough to drive up opponent passing volume.
And if Lassiter does move inside to nickel in sets of 3+ DBs, that would position him well for tackle upside.
Lassiter makes for an enticing end-of-draft option in IDP leagues with CB requirements. More likely, though, he'll be a guy to watch on early waivers.
If Lassiter does carry over his strong coverage play from that final Georgia season, he'd obviously help the Houston team D. We'll see, though, if he presents any big-play ability at this level.
CB presents low value in most IDP formats. But part of the reason for that is you can generally pick up contributors along the way -- like Lassiter. He's a solid stash in CB-required dynasty leagues. But he's also not a "can't miss" by any means.
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