The Houston Texans’ sights are set on the AFC postseason, but it’s never too early to look at the NFL Draft.
Daft on Draft is always looking toward the three-day weekend in April. They recently published a full two-round mock draft and had the Texans address both sides of the trenches with their selections.
Since Houston has the worst record among playoff teams, it selects at No. 20. With the pick; the Texnans shore up their interior offensive line with the selection of Texas All-American offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr.
“Many project Kelvin Banks Jr. as a guard at the next level, myself included,” Cory Kinnan wrote. “The Texans have leaked along the interior of their offensive line all season. The Outland Award winner helps with that immediately.”
Kinnan is right. Houston must upgrade off both the left and right guard position after lackluster play from Shaq Mason and a myriad of players at left guard. The Texans could shift Tytus Howard permanently to left guard, thus allowing rookie Blake Fisher to take over full-time at right tackle.
Get to know Texas OT Kelvin Banks Jr.
Banks is a blue-chip player and a top-five offensive lineman prospect in the 2025 NFL draft. While the Texans may need a defensive line help, they are not in the position to reach for an option that could be available in the second round.
Texas LT Kelvin Banks looking like a top-10 pick by springing a 77-yard touchdown run with an excellent combo up the second-level. pic.twitter.com/tzwuz6Iq0U
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) December 27, 2024
A three-year starter, Banks has been the anchor of Steve Sarkisian’s offensive line amid a change from the Big 12 to the SEC. In three years, the Outland Trophy winner has allowed four sacks, 25 pressures and three quarterback hits.
Banks’ 89.1 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus ranked second among all FBS offensive tackles, trailing only West Virginia’s Wyatt Milum.
Taking the best player available at the top of the draft is Houston’s best option, which would be the right call with Banks’ selection. If LSU’s Will Campbell was on the board, you could make a case that he’s a better fit, but Draft on Draft has him landing in Chicago with the No. 9 overall pick.
Get to know Kentucky DL Deone Walker
With the 54th overall pick, Houston targets a three-down defensive tackle and former All-American in Walker. Despite an underwhelming season for the Wildcats, the 6-foot-6 defensive tackle totaled four sacks and 11 tackles for loss.
Deone Walker (#0) 6’6” 345 lbs.
PFF Grades: Run Defense = 71.9 and Pass Rush = 77.4 pic.twitter.com/CTQ7enNhIh— Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) December 3, 2024
In Houston, the Texans could rotate Walker behind Tim Settle and whoever they plan to bring in as a short-term replacement on a one-year deal. Walker’s arrival would sense a change for the foreseeable future in the trenches.
Why this mock draft makes sense for the Texans
Houston needs stability in its trenches. Keep in mind that entering 2024, the Texans had the most expensive offensive line in the league, which failed to meet expectations keeping C.J. Stroud upright.
The Texans also need long-term stability at defensive tackle. Houston’s comes with the team-friendly, cheap one-year deals at the spot for three seasons. Walker’s addition doesn’t mean Houston won’t bring in another veteran, but it would give the AFC South champions a long-term answer up the middle for run support.