- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,198,341
- Reaction score
- 59
It's never too early to see where the biggest problems are for rosters and how they can be addressed in the upcoming NFL draft.
With the draft headed to our Nation's Capital in 2027, the Houston Texans should feel as if most of their problems are solved. They've upgraded the offensive line, fixed the run game and still feature an elite defense with nearly everyone of importance signed long-term.
So, what's the big question mark Houston must address?
NFL Draft On Sports Illustrated has the Texans picking at No. 20, which means they're a playoff team but not a contender to move past the wild-card round. Even though Houston tried to fix the offensive line, names like Braden Smith and Wyatt Teller come as a cautionary tale for full-time reps, especially since both have dealt with injuries over the past two seasons.
Back in April, Houston used its first-round pick to select Georgia Tech's Keylan Rutledge as a permanent addition to the interior of the offensive line. In this mock draft, NFL Draft on SI has the franchise doubling down on the interior with the selection of Oregon's Iapani Laloulu
Both Smith's and Teller's contracts have opt-outs after this season. Houston also could lose Jake Andrews to free agency, so addressing the interior line could be ideal for the long haul.
Laloulu, who started 14 games last season for the Ducks, is a natural center. Over the past two seasons, he's played in over 1,000 snaps, helping the Ducks have one of the Big Ten's more complete offensive line units under Dan Lanning.
A move like this would also signal that Rutledge would shift back to guard. While he's working out at center in the offseason, the former All-ACC lineman has never started at the position, so it would make sense for general manager Nick Caserio to potentially target a more natural center to strengthen the core.
To read the entire mock draft, click here.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans continue to fix offensive line in new 2027 NFL Mock Draft
Continue reading...
With the draft headed to our Nation's Capital in 2027, the Houston Texans should feel as if most of their problems are solved. They've upgraded the offensive line, fixed the run game and still feature an elite defense with nearly everyone of importance signed long-term.
So, what's the big question mark Houston must address?
NFL Draft On Sports Illustrated has the Texans picking at No. 20, which means they're a playoff team but not a contender to move past the wild-card round. Even though Houston tried to fix the offensive line, names like Braden Smith and Wyatt Teller come as a cautionary tale for full-time reps, especially since both have dealt with injuries over the past two seasons.
Back in April, Houston used its first-round pick to select Georgia Tech's Keylan Rutledge as a permanent addition to the interior of the offensive line. In this mock draft, NFL Draft on SI has the franchise doubling down on the interior with the selection of Oregon's Iapani Laloulu
Both Smith's and Teller's contracts have opt-outs after this season. Houston also could lose Jake Andrews to free agency, so addressing the interior line could be ideal for the long haul.
Laloulu, who started 14 games last season for the Ducks, is a natural center. Over the past two seasons, he's played in over 1,000 snaps, helping the Ducks have one of the Big Ten's more complete offensive line units under Dan Lanning.
A move like this would also signal that Rutledge would shift back to guard. While he's working out at center in the offseason, the former All-ACC lineman has never started at the position, so it would make sense for general manager Nick Caserio to potentially target a more natural center to strengthen the core.
To read the entire mock draft, click here.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans continue to fix offensive line in new 2027 NFL Mock Draft
Continue reading...
