Texans Target Offensive Line In NFL Network Mock Draft

The Kansas City Chiefs remain atop the NFL world once more after surging back in the second half and overtime to defeat the San Francisco 49ers in Supber Bowl LVIII.

Now comes the fun part for fans watching at home: draft season.

What do the Houston Texans do with the No. 23 pick on April 25? It all depends on who you ask heading into free agency next month.

For now, NFL Network has Houston bolstering its offensive line to keep C.J. Stroud upright with the addition of Oklahoma offensive tackle Tyler Guyton.

"If George Fant is not re-signed, the Texans will need an athletic right tackle like Guyton to play that spot so quarterback C.J. Stroud can continue his progression." - NFL Network

Guyton, a two-year starter for the Sooners at right tackle, dominated during his stay in Mobile, Ala., at the Senior Bowl. Projected to be an early-second round pick, Guyton's impressive performance in practice now has teams targeting him inside the top -25.

Houston's offensive line was plagued with a myriad of injuries, leading to constant shakeups in the starting five. Second-year guard Kenyon Green was ruled out for the season in August after undergoing knee surgery. Rookie Juice Scruggs wasn't cleared off the injured reserve until Week 12 while fellow rookie Jarrett Patterson played in only seven games.

Tytus Howard, who inked a three-year, $56 million extension before the start of training camp, suffered a knee injury in Week 12's loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars that required season-ending surgery. A tackle by trade, Howard shifted inside to guard after Green was ruled out prior to the start of the regular season.

Fant, who started every game opposite Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil, is set to hit the market. Houston could bring him back on a one-year deal to create competition between the tackle-guard spots with Howard, Patterson and Green. Should Howard move back outside, the 31-year-old fant would excel as a swing tackle given his experience.

With the addition of Guyton, Howard would likely take over permanently at left guard, thus ending the Green experiment. While the former top-15 pick remains a hopeful part of the Texans' long-term plans, his production has been underwhelming.

How Jerrod Johnson Instilled This Elite Trait In C.J. Stroud

The Texans could pivot to the defensive side with several essential names hitting the open market. Cornerback Steven Nelson, defensive end Jonathan Greenard, linebacker Blake Cashma and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins impressed in 2023 while helping Houston regroup for a seven-win turnaround and postseason berth and could be looking to cash in with a different franchise.

Early defensive prospects to monitor in the first round include Florida State defensive end Jared Verse, Penn State defensive end Chop Robinson, Illinois defensive tackle Jer'zhan Newton, Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy, Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid Mckinstry and Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell.

The first round of the draft will be held on April 25 in Detriot.