Houston Texans ink former Baylor star defensive back Jalen Pitre to four-year rookie deal

On3 imageby:Steve Samra05/11/22

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The Texans have put pen to paper when it comes to one of their premier draft selections. According to Field Yates on ESPN, Houston has agreed to terms with former Baylor star defensive back Jalen Pitre, who the franchise selected No. 37 overall.

“The Texans have agreed to terms with second-round S Jalen Pitre on his four-year, $8.954M rookie contract,” tweeted Yates.

Along with Derek Stingley Jr. and Kenyon Green, Pitre makes up an impressive rookie class for the Texans. As the team looks to get back to the contending tier in the NFL, the trio will help lead the way, along with second-year quarterback Davis Mills.

Moreover, Pitre was a three-star recruit in the Class of 2017 out of Stafford, Texas, according to the On3 Consensus. Additionally, the former Baylor star was the No. 93 linebacker coming out of high school, the No. 122 recruit out of Texas and the No. 808 recruit in the nation.

Now, Jalen Pitre will be looking to have similar success in Houston that he had with Baylor. In being drafted by the Texans, Pitre stays in his home state, and can continue to grow and succeed in the sport of football.

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Earlier in the process prior to the 2022 NFL Draft, Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN explained his affinity for the former Baylor star.

“Jalen Pitre, production is where you have to go,” started Kiper. “If you’re looking for guys who weren’t productive in college you say ‘well they’re gonna be workout guys at the combine or pro day’ yeah, put a little red flag up. … Jalen Pitre, safety from Baylor, who’s a do it all guy. Spent a ton of time in opposing teams’ backfields, he’s intercepting passes, breaking up passes, doing it all.”

Moreover, Pitre’s numbers align with his production and his on the field and off the field work ethic, as the ESPN analyst went on to explain.

“The numbers speak for themselves,” explained Kiper. “I mean 75 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, couple interceptions, he’s forcing fumbles, he’s breaking up passes. Really emerged from Baylor the last two years of his career. You’re talking about a guy who could be no later than round two, I believe. Could he get into the late first? The pro day and combine that will determine that. But when you look at the versatility he brings a defense, I think he’s a solid second rounder. So, I really loved what he was able to do.”