Houston leverages ample draft capital, eyeing a crucial offensive tackle upgrade. A significant trade-up looms to secure a top prospect before the tackle talent dries up.
The Houston Texans are one of the teams that can control a lot of the first portion of the 2026 NFL Draft. Houston holds a lot of capital near the top of the event, with the team's first pick currently being the 28th overall selection on Thursday night. One of the franchise's clear needs is on the offensive line, as Houston needs an offensive tackle. The organization signed Braden Smith in free agency, but there has been talk about him moving inside to guard, plus he is older and only signed a two-year deal.
The issue with the Texans wanting to go after a tackle is that the position drops off of a cliff after the first group of names fly off the board. If Houston wants to ensure that it can lead a top talent at tackle, it might need to trade up. There is expected to be a large run on offensive lineman in the first round, and the Texans may miss out if they sit at 28.
If the Texans want to make sure the franchise can add to the tackle position on Thursday night, moving up the draft board has to happen. Thankfully, Houston has plenty of valuable draft capital to make a potential trade work.
ESPN analyst Peter Schrager dropped his final mock draft on Wednesday, and he predicts that the Texans will complete a trade with the Carolina Panthers. He believes the Texans could acquire the 19th overall pick for the 28th and 69th pick in the draft, and he would think the Texans would draft Blake Miller with the 19th pick, "With three offensive tackles already off the board and a few OT-needy teams coming up, Houston can flip its early Round 3 pick to move up nine spots in Round 1 and get an experienced, reliable right tackle. Miller is steady. And after another OL remake for the Texans, that's what they need. Miller is an immediate starter who can help open run lanes and keep C.J. Stroud clean."
Miller has been flying up some draft boards, and that is due to his college career, but it is also due to the fact that the tackle position is in high demand and low supply. After the first round there aren't many tackles who could crack a starting lineup, which is why a trade like this should be a priority for Houston. The Texans have the capital to make this happen, and the organization hasn't been shy about making trades on draft night in the past.