Indiana Offensive Tackle Selected to Texans in Recent Fansided Mock Draft

The Houston Texans' greatest weakness recently has been their subpar offensive line. This problem has been evident in both the pass and run games and is likely to persist into 2026. As a result, they will likely need reinforcements next offseason, particularly in the 2027 NFL Draft. If they do, Indiana offensive tackle Carter Smith is an enticing option. This pairing is already gaining traction, as Fansided’s Cody Williams projected it in his recent mock draft.

“The secret sauce for Indiana beyond Mendoza at QB was the improvement that this team has made in the trenches. Smith is at the top of that list as he's a terrific mover with good length and size,” Williams wrote. “It feels like the Houston Texans are forever working on the offensive line, and this is simply another instance of that.”

As Williams eluded to, the six-foot-five, 313-pound prospect has the makings of an elite prospect. He has incredible play strength and has a fantastic anchor that mitigates bull rushes. Additionally, he’s fundamentally sound, particularly with his hand usage. Smith has impeccable punch timing and accuracy, allowing him to disrupt the defender’s pass rush. 

This is largely due to Smith’s vast experience. He’s a three-year starter for Indiana and has seen nearly 3,000 snaps before 2026. Because of this, he’s seen many different archetypes of edge rushers and understands how to counter them. This will help ease the transition between college and the NFL.

The Texans are arguably an offensive line away from competing for the Super Bowl. Last year, their offense was tanked by an average run game and Stroud being constantly pressured, both stemming from defensive penetration in the backfield. In 2025, they averaged 108.9 rushing yards per game, ranking 22nd in the NFL. This made their offense one-dimensional and put them in plenty of third and longs, allowing the defense to fully focus on rushing the passer.

When that happened, Stroud’s efficiency plummeted. When under pressure, he had a passer rating of 54.2 and threw eight interceptions compared to five touchdowns, according to PFF. Ultimately, this is what ended their season. Stroud was constantly pressured and forced into bad decisions in the divisional round against the New England Patriots, leading to four interceptions. They must improve the blocking so this doesn’t happen again, which is why adding Smith would be wise.

Obviously, it’s way too early to name Carter Smith as a perfect fit for the Texans. However, it’s already looking like an intriguing offense. They have a desperate need for the offensive line; plus, Smith’s experience, play strength, and fundamentals make him a top prospect. Don’t be surprised to hear his name floating around the Texans next offseason.