Houston Texans NFL Mock Draft Roundup 1.0

The Texans remade their offensive line this offseason and drafted Minnesota's Aireontae Ersery in the second round, but nobody should consider their work done in that regard. World needs to get stronger, but as Geoff Schwartz says, "he's an All-World pass protector" due to length and movement skills.

Houston identified its offensive line as a point of weakness and made changes this offseason. Those issues will likely continue into next year based on the current construction of the unit. Pritchett is an unfinished product that teams have been trying to get in the transfer portal from Alabama for the past two years.

The Texans have massively overturned their line after a disappointing 2024, and there's a good chance that overhaul will continue into 2026. I liked the Aireontae Ersery pick last week, but Houston has a lot of work to do in improving C.J. Stroud's protection. Mauigoa significantly improved at right tackle last season, not giving up a sack. The 6-6 315-pounder can control blockers at the point of attack. And while there is considerable debate among scouts about whether Mauigoa is a tackle or guard in the NFL, Houston needs a boost at both spots.

PSU certainly knows how to churn out impact edge rushers such as Abdul Carter, Adisa Isaac and Micah Parsons. Dennis-Sutton (6-5, 266 pounds) is no exception after logging 45 pressures with 15.0 havoc plays and will give the Texans another devastating outside pass rushing threat opposite Will Anderson Jr.

Lawson has NFL size, impressive instincts and had a notable impact on the Tide's defense when he was in the lineup. His injury history will count against him, but he's a real impact player on the field given what he can do in all phases. Still, he should allow DeMeco Ryans to have a little more flexibility with his linebacking corps.

The Clemson defensive coaches would line up the 315-pound Woods at defensive end last season to get the best four linemen on the field — and Woods didn't look out of place. He will move inside to defensive tackle in 2025 and is on a first-round trajectory.

The Texans addressed their offensive line in the second round of the 2025 draft with Aireontae Ersery, but protecting CJ Stroud means constant reinforcements. With experience at both left and right tackle, Fano engages defenders with excellent knee bend and light feet, showing the ability to block on an island.

He's not on Ashton Jeanty's level yet, but Love looks prepared to seize the title of college football's most dynamic back — he's already mastered the art of hurdling defenders — and a ball carrier worthy of a first-round pick. After averaging 7.0 yards per carry last season, the 6-0, 206-pounder can take some strain off C.J. Stroud and serve as a successor to Joe Mixon, who doesn't have any guaranteed money for the final year of his contract in 2026.