Texans find long-term right tackle in first round for new mock draft

[ASFN Admin]

What's the right move for the Houston Texans when it comes to drafting a player in the first round?

Is it offensive tackle?

Is it guard?

Is it on the defensive side?

The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner recently released his mock draft following free agency entering the weekend. Hoping to shore up the right side of the offensive line this offseason, Baumgardner has Houston targeting Clemson tackle Blake Miller to become a staple opposite rookie blindside protector Tay Ersery.

"If you need an offensive tackle this year, you’d better act sooner than later — Miller is the sixth first-round tackle in this mock, Baumgardner wrote. "Though I can see a world in which he and Iheanachor (and maybe even Proctor) slide, the odds of that becoming reality feel smaller by the day."

Adding Miller would present a solid run blocker with plug-and-play experience on the right side, which could be considered an upgrade over Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor or Oregon offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon, two names likely set to either play left tackle or left guard. Shoring up the right side of the line would also allow the Texans to perhaps target a guard in the later rounds, while adding in a name via free agency.

#Clemson RT Blake Miller still needs to massively improve his consistency, but his high-end reps are incredible

Send him to a good OL coach, and you could snipe yourself a top T in a very weak class pic.twitter.com/8apNdP6LTv

— Hail Mary Sports (@hailmarysportss) January 6, 2026

There's not a lot of flash to his game, but Miller's expected to be a stable option that should be an NFL starter for years to come. It's not the only move Houston can make to fix the offensive line, but it's a step in a direction that should give more promise entering 2026.

Houston could also trust the long-term plan with playing Miller should he not be ready in Week 1. After signing Colts longtime right tackle Braden Smith and Cardinals interior lineman Evan Brown, Miller could technically redshirt for a season before being asked to take on a starting role. Even if he's not ready midseason, Smith could shift over to guard, allowing longtime veteran Trent Brown to fill in at right tackle for several games.

The Texans have seven picks in April's draft, including two second-round picks and four selections in the top 70.

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: NFL 2026 Draft: Texans select Clemson OT Blake Miller in new mock

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