'It'd Be a Blessing!' Texans Could Target Hometown NFL Draft Prospect Patrick Paul
The Houston Texans galvanized the city and reinvigorated a fanbase that had been waiting for a reason to return to NRG Stadium.
Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud set the league ablaze on his way to (presumably) winning Offensive Rookie of the Year, and head coach DeMeco Ryans quickly had a team and its fanbase bought in that Houston could truly be competitive.
The Texans weren’t just competitive. They were flat-out good. But they weren’t good enough to beat the Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional Round, which means they must get back to the drawing board and make the necessary improvements for next season. That may start with better protecting their franchise quarterback.
Sep 30, 2023; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars offensive tackle Patrick Paul (76) blocks Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive end Joseph Adedire (14) in the second half at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field.
Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Houston dealt with a plague of injuries to its offensive line all year long. While it overperformed for much of the season, Stroud was under pressure consistently in Baltimore. Left tackle Laremy Tunsil is a stalwart on the blindside, but a new face could be brought in at right tackle. One such option is Houston Cougars offensive lineman Patrick Paul.
Paul has been a riser in the NFL Draft process, working himself into the back half of the first round in mock drafts. He further helped himself out at the Senior Bowl in Mobile where he was able to meet with teams and put quality reps on practice film.
Paul offers the versatility to play either tackle spot. Pro Football Focus graded just one qualified lineman better than him in pass protection this season. He committed just three penalties all season.
Houston would have to target Paul early – it seems he’ll be long gone by pick 59. If he’s the pick at 23, where the Texans will select thanks to the Deshaun Watson trade, it would be a dream come true for the kid from nearby Jersey Village, Texas.
“It’d be a blessing,” Paul said to Cody Stoots. “And it’d be a funny story, so it’d be a great story.”
Paul spent his entire five-year college career at the University of Houston. He’s a Houston kid through and through, and while he didn’t come out and say he was a Texans fan, he did take notice of the noise Houston made this season.
“Hometown team, it was fun,” Paul said. “You could definitely feel the energy. The Texans went crazy this year.”
The Texans could opt to prioritize the defense come April, but the chance to bring one of Houston’s own on a ride to the playoffs is easy to rally around. With the playoffs now firmly the expectation, a new offensive tackle could play a pivotal role in helping Stroud return.
