CJ Stroud was sacked 52 times last season. Is there any doubt what the Texans’ top need is? Of course, they need to protect their young QB…which is why it was so curious when they traded away left tackle Laremy Tunsil to the Washington Commanders. The Texans acquired a third and seventh-round pick in this year’s draft, as well as a second and fourth-rounder in 2026.
In many ways, the Texans and Commanders are similar, with a strong base of your players anchored by a young and exciting QB. It is strange that the Texans moved away from a solid left tackle, but it is a no-brainer that the Commanders traded for him. Although, Tunsil wasn’t able to prevent those 52 sacks last season.
As a replacement, the Texans acquired Cam Robinson in free agency for $12M. Robinson alone won’t be able to protect Stroud, and additional help will be needed in the draft. Including the two picks via Washington, the Texans have seven selections, with four in the top 100. They have the 25th, 58th, 79th, and 89th pick.
With that first pick at no.25, they will have three tackles to choose from. Or, if they want to get creative, possibly have two TE options that can help Stroud in the passing and blocking game. Tackles Gray Zabel from North Dakota St, Josh Conerly from Oregon, and Emery Jones from LSU are all projected to go in the last half of the first round.
The two TE options are Tyler Warren from Penn St. and Colston Loveland from Michigan. For versatility, it may be better to get the TE with that first pick and then come back to take an offensive lineman at no.58.
There are four intriguing options for them. They can consider tackles Caleb Rogers with Texas Tech or Anthony Belton with NC State. Or, they can pursue G Donovan Jackson with Ohio St. Or lastly, they can select versatile lineman Jonah Manheim with USC. For me, versatility is key, so I would lean toward Manheim, who can play every O-line position…tackle, guard, or center.
With their two picks in the third round, they can choose to snag another lineman and possibly a WR replacement for Stefon Diggs. Or combine their no.79 and 89 to move up. Wide receiver Jayden Higgins from Iowa St. is projected to go in the late 60s or early 70s. He is huge, at 6’4 and 215 lbs. Although he isn’t the fastest guy in the world, he is a fantastic route runner who has a knack for getting YAC. And due to his size advantage over most CBs, he turns 50/50 balls into 80/20 balls. Last season, he caught 87 passes for 1183 yards and nine TDs.
