The Houston Texans selected former North Carolina Tar Heel offensive tackle Charlie Heck with the 126th overall pick in Round 4 of the 2020 NFL Draft Saturday.
Heck, whose father, Andy Heck, played a 12-year NFL career with the Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, and Washington, is all about playing a bookend position.
“I really like watching Mitch Schwartz from the Chiefs,” Heck said at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis in February. “Lane Johnson. Taylor Lewan. There’s so many great players in the NFL. No matter what game I’m watching, I’ll be watching those tackles.”
There are a two starting quality tackles ahead of Heck in Houston with Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil at left tackle and Tytus Howard, who made the PFWA’s all-rookie team, at right tackle. Heck could compete with Roderick Johnson for an active roster spot on game days.
At 6-8, 315 pounds, the Texans more than likely are not going to move him to right guard. However, Heck could entice offensive line coach Mike Devlin to move Howard at right guard and Heck at right tackle to see if the Texans are fielding the best five-man combination along the offensive line.
If Howard moves inside at right guard, it helps the Texans move on from either Senio Kelemete or Zach Fulton. Either one will have to stay on the roster as it gives Houston more versatility options as both of their departures would mean Greg Mancz would be the only reserve offensive lineman with center experience.
Heck, who is jovial and affable off the field, will turn on the mean streak once his cleats hit the gridiron.
“There has to be a switch in all players, especially O-linemen,” said Heck. “O-linemen are kind of the happiest guys out there. But come game time, there definitely is that switch that you have to flip.”