Sure, free agency is still ongoing, but the Texans have among the least amount of cap space remaining and have mightily slowed down the number of frenzied moves since last week. Despite the media contentiousness, the team is in a strong position across the entire roster, except for the offensive line. Their 2024 achilles heel could be an unmitigated disaster heading into 2025. However, the Texans have seven picks in the draft to help solve this issue. If you havent been following or panicking along with us on the Free Agency Tracker, heres whats occurred in summary:Jettisoned three starting lineman: Laremy Tunsil, Shaq Mason, and Kenyon GreenBuilt defensive lineman depth: Darrell Taylor, Sheldon Rankins, Mario Edwards, Derek and BarnettTraded for several key players: Christian Kirk, Ed Ingram, and C. J Ka'dar Hollman Jersey. Gardner JohnsonConsidering most of their pre-free agency issues have been resolved, Houston is slated to expend significant draft capital to solve the offensive line concerns. Thismock draft illustrates not what I would do, but rather what I predict the Texans and GM Nick Caserio will do. Based on past history, Houston will be aggressive, move up in the draft and always go after their guys. Previous BRB Houston Texans Mock Draft Database: Seven Rounds Post-Senior BowlThree Round Mock Draft 1. 0Seven Rounds Pre-NFL CombineSeven Rounds Post-NFL Combine**The mock draft begins with a big trade!**TRADE: Texans receive: -Pick 21 - Pick 122 Steelers receive: - Pick 25 - Pick 89 Round 1, Pick 21: Josh Simmons, OT - Ohio StateAnalysis: Texans get antsy in this mock draft and take matters into their own hands. Reason being the teams in front of the Texans all have reason to move around or offensive line needs. Chargers have nine picks, Packers have eight, and the Vikings have four. The Vikings being a fantastic trade partner for a team behind the Texans who need an offensive lineman to jump them. Texans suffered from horrible line play all season; third most sacks allowed in the NFL. Adding a new stalwart at left tackle will solidify the offensive line and place Tytus Howard back either at left guard or right tackle. As for Simmons, he only played in six games before tearing his patellar tendon, but he started at left tackle in 2023 and right tackle in 2022 for full seasons. His recovery should put him in line to start in the beginning of the season - heck, he may even participate at his Ohio State Pro Day soon Justin Watson Jersey. His six opponents were Akron, Western Michigan, Marshall, Michigan State, Iowa, and Oregon , which leaves a lot of recent tape to be desired, but Simmons projected to be the top offensive lineman in the class before injury. Round 2, Pick 58: Marcus Mbow, OT - Purdue Analysis: The Texans double down on the offensive line, BIG 10 prospects, and three years of starting experience with offensive tackle Marcus Mbow. He is undersized and has limited length, which is why scouts and teams project him to be a CENTER at the next level. This almost-unprecedented switch would improve the Texans interior line problem by adding an elite athlete with foot speed unrivaled in the class. Mbow is certainly a developmental prospect with legitimate technical concerns, but his athleticism is unquestionable upon film review. He played right tackle and guard at Purdue where he only allowed four sacks in three seasons according to PFF. Marcus Mbow is emerging as one of my favorite OL prospectsExtremely fluid mover, very athletic, and technically advanced in a lot of ll have position flexibility in the NFL all over the line and hell fit in somewhere. Im a big four interceptions, but only logged one in 2024. Hill rated as the number one most athletic cornerback in the NFL Combine. Plus, his 60 frame is ideal for the Texans run-oriented cornerback goals. Hill is one of the best run-stopping corners in the nation, but is NOT a man-coverage corner. AKA - hes a perfect backup option in the Texans zone-heavy scheme. He can sit behind Kamari Lassiter and Derek Stingley Jr. for a year and contribute immediately on special teams. Hill could also rotate in at the slot position to primarily cover the slower tight ends and provide run stopping support. Adding Hill checks multiple boxes for the Texans and would be a rare roster maker for the Texans in the 7th round. Round 7, Pick 241: Kyren Lacy, WR - LSUI was compelled to draft another RB, which the Texans love to do with their late round picks, but theres one distinct prospect available at a position of need. Lacy is a scouts dream and coachs nightmare. Inconsistent film and effort elicit a questionable grade for the once-elite prospect. Look, PFF has him rated as the 254th WR, but some ridiculous team like the Raiders will select him in the fifth. In this mock, the upside for Lacy is unparalleled and his traits are first rate. Lacy sat behind Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. for two seasons and didnt get to shine in a weaker LSU offense Blake Fisher Jersey. Lacy has the 62 frame and athleticism to be a starting receiver and needs a full season as an understudy behind Nico Collins and Xavier Hutchinson.
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