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The Houston Texans are finalizing their plans ahead of the 2025 NFL draft, where they're in a prime position to land some talent with their four top 100 selections.
Following an impactful offseason that included overhauling the entire interior offensive line and shoring up the defensive trenches, the Texans have flexibility when it comes to their selections -- drafting the best available rather than for need.
In a new USA Today network-wide mock draft, Jacob Camenker played the role of general manager Nick Caserio when making the Texans' selection at No. 25. For what it's worth, there were no trades and offensive linemen Kelvin Banks, wide receiver Matthew Golden and defensive tackle Walter Nolen were off the board when it was time to pick.
Three names continue to be in play for the Texans near the end of Round 1. All three remained on the board, but Camenker elected to go with the safest of picks and selected North Dakota State's Grey Zabel as the new intrior blocker for C.J. Stroud.
"The Texans took a chainsaw to their offensive line during the offseason and are still rebuilding it. Zabel played tackle in college but profiles as a top-tier interior lineman at the professional level," Camenker wrote. "Houston can select him and figure out whether his best long-term fit will be at guard or center while investing in a developmental option behind Cam Robinson later in the draft."
The FCS All-American played tackle for most of his career with the Bison but is expected to shift inside to guard at the professional level. He's already been considered one of the biggest risers through the draft process and is expected to land somewhere within the first round.
The 6-foot-6 Zabel excelled at the Senior Bowl down in Mobile, stonewalling pass-rushers in drills and team sets. He kept the stock rolling with a strong performance at the NFL Scouting Combine, posting a 36.5-inch vertical, a 9-foot-3 broad jump and 26 bench press reps of 225 pounds.
The selling point for Zabel is his multi-purpose role on the offensive line. Throughout his four seasons as a starter, he saw reps at left tackle, left guard, right guard and right tackle.
While it's not a bad option, Caserio has a knack of shying away from small-school players with his first pick. Since arriving in 2021, his first pick has always hailed from a Power Four program, including three first-round picks from national champion programs.
"When you're playing at ‘lower level,’ there is going to be an adjustment period that takes place," Caserio said earlier this week. "Is there an opportunity to evaluate that in the Senior Bowl or East West? I would say those two games did a pretty good job bringing in some lower-level, smaller-school players. It's a huge jump. No question about it."
Talent is talent and the Texans need plenty on the offensive line. However, it'd be easier to add on a Josh Connerly or Josh Simmons rather than a player who only saw action against one FBS program. At least in the mind of Caserio.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: NFL draft: Texans land a standout OL for C.J. Stroud Johnson at No. 25
Continue reading...
Following an impactful offseason that included overhauling the entire interior offensive line and shoring up the defensive trenches, the Texans have flexibility when it comes to their selections -- drafting the best available rather than for need.
In a new USA Today network-wide mock draft, Jacob Camenker played the role of general manager Nick Caserio when making the Texans' selection at No. 25. For what it's worth, there were no trades and offensive linemen Kelvin Banks, wide receiver Matthew Golden and defensive tackle Walter Nolen were off the board when it was time to pick.
Three names continue to be in play for the Texans near the end of Round 1. All three remained on the board, but Camenker elected to go with the safest of picks and selected North Dakota State's Grey Zabel as the new intrior blocker for C.J. Stroud.
"The Texans took a chainsaw to their offensive line during the offseason and are still rebuilding it. Zabel played tackle in college but profiles as a top-tier interior lineman at the professional level," Camenker wrote. "Houston can select him and figure out whether his best long-term fit will be at guard or center while investing in a developmental option behind Cam Robinson later in the draft."
The FCS All-American played tackle for most of his career with the Bison but is expected to shift inside to guard at the professional level. He's already been considered one of the biggest risers through the draft process and is expected to land somewhere within the first round.
The 6-foot-6 Zabel excelled at the Senior Bowl down in Mobile, stonewalling pass-rushers in drills and team sets. He kept the stock rolling with a strong performance at the NFL Scouting Combine, posting a 36.5-inch vertical, a 9-foot-3 broad jump and 26 bench press reps of 225 pounds.
The selling point for Zabel is his multi-purpose role on the offensive line. Throughout his four seasons as a starter, he saw reps at left tackle, left guard, right guard and right tackle.
While it's not a bad option, Caserio has a knack of shying away from small-school players with his first pick. Since arriving in 2021, his first pick has always hailed from a Power Four program, including three first-round picks from national champion programs.
"When you're playing at ‘lower level,’ there is going to be an adjustment period that takes place," Caserio said earlier this week. "Is there an opportunity to evaluate that in the Senior Bowl or East West? I would say those two games did a pretty good job bringing in some lower-level, smaller-school players. It's a huge jump. No question about it."
Talent is talent and the Texans need plenty on the offensive line. However, it'd be easier to add on a Josh Connerly or Josh Simmons rather than a player who only saw action against one FBS program. At least in the mind of Caserio.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: NFL draft: Texans land a standout OL for C.J. Stroud Johnson at No. 25
Continue reading...
