NFL insider Peter Schrager makes bold claim on Texans' draft plan
What will the Houston Texans do when on the board at pick No. 28?
Well, what if the two-time AFC South champions elect to go against the grain and trade up for the premier talent long-term?
As analysts continue to send out their final mock drafts ahead of Thursday's draft, it's becoming clear what direction each team is headed with its first-round pick. For Houston, the argument has come between either shoring up the interior pass rush at defensive tackle or bolstering the trenches by going after another offensive lineman.
In the lone mock draft from ESPN's Peter Schrager, Houston goes bold and moves up to establish long-term stability on the offensive line. The Carolina Panthers are reportedly interested in trading down, thus creating an opportunity for Houston to move up and select its highest-graded lineman.
By giving up picks No. 28 and No. 69, the Texans secure a long-term right prospect and the heir to newly signed Braden Smith in Clemson's Blake Miller.
"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."
Houston has swung and missed on nearly every linemen in the Nick Caserio era , but most were forced to start Week 1. Miller could be the option that in time ends up becoming a staple of the trench warfare opposite Tay Ersery.
Adding Miller would present a solid run blocker with plug-and-play experience on the right side, which could be considered an upgrade over Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor or Oregon offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon, two names likely to play on the left side. Shoring up the right side of the line would also allow the Texans to perhaps target a guard in the later rounds, while adding in a name via free agency.
There's not a lot of flash to his game, but Miller's expected to be a stable option that should be an NFL starter for years to come. It's not the only move Houston can make to fix the offensive line, but it's a step in a direction that should give more promise entering 2026.
There's not a lot of flash to his game, but Miller's expected to be a stable option that should be an NFL starter for years to come. It's not the only move Houston can make to fix the offensive line, but it's a step in a direction that should give more promise entering 2026.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans go bold and against the norm in Peter Schrager final mock draft
