Houston Texans select Kamari Lassiter in second round of 2024 NFL Draft
The Houston Texans selected Georgia cornerback Kamari Lassiter in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Lassiter spent the last three seasons at Georgia and helped the program win national championships in 2021 and 2022.
Lassiter was one of the top cornerbacks in the SEC. He was selected to the All-SEC Second Team in 2023 after leading the team with eight pass breakups. Lassiter also tallied 37 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss. He had three games in 2023 where he recorded at least five tackles.
“You kind of always balance the timeline in terms of how much it matters relative to the tape,” ESPN insider Field Yates said about Lassiter. “But when the tape is awesome, as it was in the case of Kamari Lassiter, that matches what you saw at the combine, which was the on-field workout where it kind of felt like he was operating at a different speed than almost any other cornerback that was playing there – the acceleration specifically for Kamari Lassiter – that made me feel even better about his prospects going forward.”
Lassiter played high school football at American Christian in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where he was a four-star prospect. He ranked as the No. 232 overall prospect and the No. 21 cornerback in the 2021 class, according to the On3 Industry Rating.
What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Kamari Lassiter
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com shared his analysis of Lassiter in his scouting report. He competed Lassiter to Deandre Baker a former Geoergia cornerback who is currnetly playing for the DC Defenders of the Untied Football League.
Zierlein likes Lassiter’s instincts and his ability to defend the run. But he has concerns with Lassiter’s playmaking abilities and overall speed.
“Spunky but slender with the mentality to sift through the highs and lows that come with the position,” Zierlein wrote. “Lassiter has the athleticism and dog to play press-man coverage and all forms of zone. His instincts and play recognition are getting better to help shadow routes and pester catch points, but he hasn’t yet flashed as a corner looking to play the football and flip the field.
“Lassiter could see flags early in his career, as he struggles to keep up with deep throws and doesn’t always trust his technique. He’s physical and well-coached with the potential to play as a nickel back or roving safety.”