The Houston Texans saw their playoff road derailed due to injuries, issues along the offensive line and poor quarterback play.
While a big storyline in the offseason will be on the regression of C.J. Stroud, Texans executive vice present and general manager Nick Caserio has some needs to address on the offensive side of the ball. As proven throughout the season, the defense is legit and needs some minor tweaks, but the Texans must get better offensively.
It starts with the mindset and confidence of Stroud, but adding a reliable ground attack and stabilizing the offensive line will be obvious targets for Caserio and the Texans in the 2026 NFL Draft. After losing in the divisional round of the players, Mock drafts have that O-line as the top area of need for H-Town.
CBS NFL Mock Draft: Texans beef up offensive line with versatile tackle
The biggest problem in the AFC Divisional round loss was the poor quarterback play of Stroud, but that was compounded by the Texans’ inability to run the ball with any consistency, especially given the weather conditions. In his latest Mock Draft, CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards has the Texans selecting Alabama tackle Kadyn Proctor to help secure the offensive line.
Edwards writes:
“Houston began the season with a 3-5 record and an injured C.J. Stroud. To go on a run to the AFC Divisional Round was quite the accomplishment, all things considered. The Texans got the most out of last season's offensive line additions, but they need to continue investing in that group to stave off regression. Kadyn Proctor could play tackle or move inside to guard.”
Proctor demonstrated his versatility at Alabama, most notably his ability to contribute to other areas on offense. He caught a screen pass and has lined up at fullback. But where the Texans will benefit from the selection of Proctor is him as replacement for Trent Brown at right tackle. Proctor helps with both run blocking and pass protection.
Fansided NFL Mock Draft: Texans add beef with Oregon star
Sticking with the offensive line, our hub site Fansided has the Texans adding a player who has been surging up the draft board of offensive lineman. Fansided’s Justin Carter has linked the Texans to Oregon’s Emmanuel Pregnon, an interior force who would bring stability to the O-line.
Carter writes:
“An unheralded recruit at the beginning of his college career, Pregnon has built himself into a late first-round prospect thanks to his size and ability to plant himself in place and hold up interior rushers. Maybe he's not the greatest athlete, but Pregnon makes up for that with his pure strength.”
It’s hard to argue with Carter or Edwards in their choices for the Texans. In fact, NFL Mocks fully agrees with the position of need. As evidenced above, there are a few prospects who meet the needs of the Texans.
What is NFL Mocks’ selection for the Houston Texas?
Offensive line has been the main draft need for the Texans in most of our NFL Mock Drafts. In his first full round mock draft, NFL Mocks’ contributor John Blair has the Texans selecting Penn State’s Olaivavega Ioane with the No. 28 overall pick.
At 6-foot-4, 330 pounds, Ioane is a physical interior lineman with great balance and pure strength who would solve the Texans’ need for interior blocking and protection. Other choices in previous mock drafts for the Texans are Utah’s Spencer Fano and Proctor has also been linked to the Texans.
The variance here has been where the Texans were selecting. Due to their late-season surge, the Texans went from selecting near the top 10 to mid-teens to now ending the season with the No. 28 overall pick. In that draft area, Proctor, Pregnon or Ioane makes perfect sense for a team hungry to improve the offensive line.