Sure, free agency is still ongoing, but the Texans have among the least amount of cap space remaining and have mightily slowed down the number of frenzied moves since last week. Despite the media contentiousness, the team is in a strong position across the entire roster, except for the offensive line. Their 2024 achilles heel could be an unmitigated disaster heading into 2025. However, the Texans have seven picks in the draft to help solve this issue.
If you haven’t been following or panicking along with us on the Free Agency Tracker, here’s what’s occurred in summary:
Jettisoned three starting lineman: Laremy Tunsil, Shaq Mason, and Kenyon Green
Built defensive lineman depth: Darrell Taylor, Sheldon Rankins, Mario Edwards, Derek and Barnett
Traded for several key players: Christian Kirk, Ed Ingram, and C.J. Gardner Johnson
Considering most of their pre-free agency issues have been resolved, Houston is slated to expend significant draft capital to solve the offensive line concerns.
This mock draft illustrates not what I would do, but rather what I predict the Texans and GM Nick Caserio will do. Based on past history, Houston will be aggressive, move up in the draft and always go after “their guys”.
Previous BRB Houston Texans Mock Draft Database:
Seven Rounds Post-Senior Bowl
Three Round Mock Draft 1.0
Seven Rounds Pre-NFL Combine
Seven Rounds Post-NFL Combine
**The mock draft begins with a big trade!**
TRADE:
Texans receive:
Pick 21
Pick 122
Steelers receive:
Pick 25
Pick 89
Round 1, Pick 21: Josh Simmons, OT - Ohio State
Analysis: Texans get antsy in this mock draft and take matters into their own hands. Reason being the teams in front of the Texans all have reason to move around or offensive line needs. Chargers have nine picks, Packers have eight, and the Vikings have four. The Vikings being a fantastic trade partner for a team behind the Texans who need an offensive lineman to jump them.
Texans suffered from horrible line play all season; third most sacks allowed in the NFL. Adding a new stalwart at left tackle will solidify the offensive line and place Tytus Howard back either at left guard or right tackle.
As for Simmons, he only played in six games before tearing his patellar tendon, but he started at left tackle in 2023 and right tackle in 2022 for full seasons. His recovery should put him in line to start in the beginning of the season - heck, he may even participate at his Ohio State Pro Day soon. His six opponents were Akron, Western Michigan, Marshall, Michigan State, Iowa, and Oregon (left injured), which leaves a lot of recent tape to be desired, but Simmons projected to be the top offensive lineman in the class before injury.
Round 2, Pick 58: Marcus Mbow, OT - Purdue
Analysis: The Texans double down on the offensive line, BIG 10 prospects, and three years of starting experience with offensive tackle Marcus Mbow. He is undersized and has limited length, which is why scouts and teams project him to be a CENTER at the next level. This almost-unprecedented switch would improve the Texans interior line problem by adding an elite athlete with foot speed unrivaled in the class.
Mbow is certainly a developmental prospect with legitimate technical concerns, but his athleticism is unquestionable upon film review. He played right tackle and guard at Purdue where he only allowed four sacks in three seasons according to PFF.
Marcus Mbow is emerging as one of my favorite OL prospects
Extremely fluid mover, very athletic, and technically advanced in a lot of areas.
He’ll have position flexibility in the NFL all over the line and he’ll fit in somewhere. I’m a big fan. pic.twitter.com/DXJIWbap5i
— Andy (@CUandyy) March 6, 2025
Mbow is better in space; using his size and speed than when forced to get dirty in the trenches. He’s a big high wasted in his stance, which allowed shorter, stout defensive tackles to get under his weight and push him backwards.
Mbow should fit in well into the play action zone offense the Texans should debut. Is this a reach? Yes; PFF has Mbow rated as the 85th player on their board. However, this is a scheme fit for the Texans over players such as Cameron Williams and Ozzy Trapillo who are higher rated prospects.
TRADE
Texans receive:
Pick 69
Patriots receive:
Pick 79
Pick 166
Round 3, Pick 69: Terrance Ferguson, TE - Oregon
Nice. The Texans move up 10 spots to secure their ideal tight end prospect, Ferguson enhances Houston’s blocking and giving QB C.J. Stroud another receiving weapon. While Ferguson excels more as a pass catcher than a blocker, his 6’5” frame gives him the potential to develop as an in-line tight end.
Over two seasons as a starter, Ferguson played slightly more snaps in the slot than in-line. In 2024, his yards per reception surged from 9.9 to 13.7, though his touchdowns were cut in half. He brings to mind Kyle Pitts—an elite athlete with great size but more of a projection than a plug-and-play contributor at the next level.
Ferguson needs to work on his explosion off the line, but he is great at finding work downfield and finding openings in zone coverage. Ferguson caught 27 of his 35 regular season catches in 2024 either behind the line of scrimmage or within 10 yards down the field. His size should allow him to expand his workload, but that is yet to be seen in the Ducks’ offense. His yards after the catch were fifth in the nation and is a key calling card to his athleticism he could bring to the Texans offense.
Round 4, Pick 123: Rylie Mills, DT - Notre Dame
The Texans finally address the defensive line, selecting Mills in the fourth round. At 6’5” and 291 pounds, he’s essentially a power forward playing defensive tackle. Mills boasts one of the highest PFF pass-rush grades in the class and will make an immediate impact on third downs. Though an older prospect at 23—turning 24 midseason—he’s as NFL-ready as any fourth-rounder. Mills’ calling card is his hand usage and length; he combines both to shed blockers in their upright stance and fend off their grip in their pass set.
Mills did tear his ACL in the 2024 CFP Playoffs, which is why he is available so late in the draft. His recovery time is uncertain and he will most likely start the year on IR. With the Texans acquired depth and veteran age, that isn’t as significant an issue.
Mills’ lack of bulk limits his effectiveness on early downs, which could be an issue given DeMeco Ryans’ preference for full-possession rotations over situational substitutions. However, his toughness and finesse stand out in key moments. Expect Mills to slide due to run defense concerns but thrive in a Texans defense loaded with talent.
Round 7, Pick 236: Tommi Hill, CB - Nebraska
Hill missed six games due to a foot injury in 2024, but his long-term potential He is another older prospect, turning 23 later this week. He started his career at Arizona State before moving to Nebraska and starting for three seasons. He peaked in 2023 with four interceptions, but only logged one in 2024. Hill rated as the number one most athletic cornerback in the NFL Combine. Plus, his 6’0 frame is ideal for the Texans run-oriented cornerback goals.
Hill is one of the best run-stopping corners in the nation, but is NOT a man-coverage corner. AKA - he’s a perfect backup option in the Texans’ zone-heavy scheme. He can sit behind Kamari Lassiter and Derek Stingley Jr. for a year and contribute immediately on special teams. Hill could also rotate in at the slot position to primarily cover the slower tight ends and provide run stopping support. Adding Hill checks multiple boxes for the Texans and would be a rare roster maker for the Texans’ in the 7th round.
Round 7, Pick 241: Kyren Lacy, WR - LSU
I was compelled to draft another RB, which the Texans love to do with their late round picks, but there’s one distinct prospect available at a position of need. Lacy is a scout’s dream and coach’s nightmare. Inconsistent film and effort elicit a questionable grade for the once-elite prospect.
Look, PFF has him rated as the 254th WR, but some ridiculous team like the Raiders will select him in the fifth. In this mock, the upside for Lacy is unparalleled and his traits are first rate. Lacy sat behind Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. for two seasons and didn’t get to shine in a weaker LSU offense. Lacy has the 6’2 frame and athleticism to be a starting receiver and needs a full season as an understudy behind Nico Collins and Xavier Hutchinson.