Texans face a draft dilemma: address tackle need at 28 or trade, seeking impact players amidst uncertainty.
The Houston Texans have a big draft ahead with little margin for error. While some would view their situation as advantageous given how good a season they had, the Texans need a tackle, and they won't be able to draft the position until the No. 28 pick unless they trade up to draft.
The Texans franchise is holding their cards close, insisting that it could be business as usual with the upcoming draft. That said, it's hard to say that the team will pass on a borderline first rounder with the No. 28 pick, or even trade one of their early mid-round picks to move higher in the draft.
Kirstie Rieken of AP News previewed the Texans' draft. It does not appear the Texans want to share any more than they have to share.
"The Houston Texans haven’t drafted a player in the first round since taking quarterback C.J. Stroud and defensive end Will Anderson Jr. with the second and third overall picks in the 2023 draft.
Their drought of first-round selections could end this year with the team holding the 28th pick. But they could also end up not picking anyone in the first round for a third straight season with general manager Nick Caserio saying they are open to dealing out of the opening round. ...
While Caserio insists that they won’t draft for need there are some areas where the team could clearly use an upgrade. The most important area is on the interior offensive line where they have veterans Wyatt Teller and Ed Ingram at the guard positions but could find more long-term solutions for the position in this draft. They could also use some help on the interior defensive line where their defensive tackles Sheldon Rankins and Tommy Togiai aren’t the future at the position."
Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz (86) runs after the catch against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn ImagesThe draft need is clear for the Texans, but it's uncertain if Houston believes the need is pressing enough to pass on an elite player that could fall to them at No. 28. It's also within reason that Houston could look for another impact player that could mask the need it has at tackle, perhaps adding a talented guard that could fortify the interior.
The Texans will have several chances to raise their ceiling with high second, third and fourth round picks. They might opt to raise their floor with a true difference making offensive lineman in the first round.