The 33rd Team names Texans CB Kamari Lassiter a 2025 breakout star in the AFC

USA Today

3 days ago

The 33rd Team names Texans CB Kamari Lassiter a 2025 breakout star in the AFC
Who is the next breakout star for the Houston Texans this fall? According to one anlayst, it's another defensive back.
The 33rd Team's Steve Palazzolo recently listed off his breakout star for all 16 AFC rosters entering 2025. While third-round pick Jaylin Noel was considered as an option, the longtime analyst said that second-year defensive back Kamari Lassiter has everything to become a staple in coverage as a No. 1 shutdown defender.
"As soon as the cornerback gets a reputation, they tend to get avoided. I'm not saying last year that people started realizing that Derek Stingley Jr. was good, but last year was the first time he really started to look like, for consistent periods of time, the No. 3 overall pick," Palazzolo said. "He was outstanding last year.
"More teams are going to be afraid of Stingley this year, which means Lassiter is going to get targeted a lot more...I think he'll get a lot of plays on the ball and he'll have a lot of opportunities. He's going to get targeted a lot this year but I like him a lot as a player. If he plays well, having the 1-2 punch of Stingley and Lassiter with that pass rush, does give the defense No. 1 defense type potential."
Drafted 42nd overall last season, Lassiter arguably was the best rookie defender in his class. According to The 33rd team, from Week 9 on, the former Georgia standout did not allow more than 50 yards in coverage in a game. He also forced two interceptions, a 50% completion rate and only gave up 21.7 yards per outing.
In 16 games, Lassiter totaled three interceptions, a safety, 10 pass breakups and only allowed a 54.4% completion rating. He and third-round pick Calen Bullock became staples in coverage, helping Houston win a second straight AFC South division title and wild-card round victory.
"It's a big year for Lassiter and if I'm right here and he does break out and he does have a productive season, we're talking about the Texans having one of the league's best defenses."
Lassiter, Stingley and the rest of the Texans' defense can prove that when they take the field in Week 1 at SoFi Stadium against the Los Angeles Rams.