As we approach the end of the season and inch towards the NFL Draft in April, it’s time to start evaluating the Texans biggest needs this offseason. Unlike Defensive Tackle, which has become a positional need of late due to injury, offensive line has long been a glaring issue for the Texans. Sure, they’ve addressed it through the draft and free agency, but that shouldn’t stop Nick Caserio and Co. from doubling down this offseason.

In terms of priority, Houston needs a right tackle, right guard, and center. Houston’s right side of the line is manned by Ed Ingram and Trent Brown who are both on one-year deals.

Advertisement

With that, let’s evaluate the early slate of offensive lineman slated to be selected early in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The two players most likely selected before our draft pick are Spencer Fano (Utah) and Francis Mauigoa (Miami). Both are pure right tackles, which is our biggest need and will be top-15 based on initial scouting projections.

This class appears to be excellent at interior lineman and limited in quality tackle prospects. There are plenty of underclassmen or Juniors who have yet to declare. Their additions should add depth to this top-heavy group by the end of the College Football Bowl season.

Vega Ioane, Penn State – LG

Current draft projection: mid-last first round

Primary position: left guard, has played several games at right guard as a freshman and sophomore

Houston Texans fit: extremely high

Initial evaluation: Gritty leader on a tumultuous Penn State team. The personality, size, tenacity, and agility create an extremely high floor for Ioane. He has three years of starting experience and is a pure guard prospect. His stock could rise through the pre-draft process more than it already has.

Advertisement

Connor Lew, Auburn – C

Current draft projection: late second, early third

Primary position: exclusively center

Initial evaluation: Lew was slated to be the first center off the board, but tore his ACL mid-season. That’s the only blemish on his draft stock as a team captain and three year starter with elite PFF grades. Lew gets his 6’3 frame low to stunt SEC defensive tackles while still being extremely athletic in the open field. Would be an elite fit in Houston’s run scheme. Lew still holds the title of the first center in this class and should be ready mid-season.

Gennings Dunker, Iowa – Right OT/G

Current draft projection: second round

Primary position: Right tackle but expected to move inside

Houston Texans fit: extremely high (most needed position)

Initial evaluation: Best pure right tackle on day-two, Dunker is a mauler. 6’5, but projected to have shorter arms, he’s expected to move inside at the next level. Dunker is starting to get late-first round pick press due to his quality play against BIG 10 opponents, Bleacher Report has him as a third rounder. While his technique against bigger DL needs work to regain position, his demeanor, build, and play strength are unquestionably high.

Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon – LG

Current draft projection: late first, early second round

Primary position: exclusively left guard

Houston Texans fit: extremely high

Initial evaluation: My personal favorite guard in this class. Zero sacks allowed all year. Three-year starter. Finishes blocks with tenacity and an avid puller in the run game. Pregnon gets to the second level with fervor and punishes linebackers. At 6’5, he’s a large guard with movement skills equitable with the best in the league.

Kadyn Proctor, Alabama – LT

Current draft projection: late first round

Primary position: exclusively left tackle

Houston Texans fit: extremely high

Initial evaluation: Generational talent and traits with middling reaction time and lateral quickness. Proctor will either be the draft’s best lineman or the next Evan Neal. While he’s only played left tackle for ‘Bama, . At 366 pounds, Proctor needs to shed 20-30 pounds to be more agile and stable. In the Georgia game this year, he was routinely late off the ball and a bit lost when pulling or on screens. His pre-snap technique also routinely tipped play calls.

Iapani Laloulu – Oregon

Blake Miller, Clemson – Right tackle

Current draft projection: third round

Primary position: pure right tackle

Houston Texans fit: high and right when Houston picks offensive lineman

Initial evaluation:  Pure RT and doesn’t have the bend or thickness to move inside. More of a shuffler than kick-slider which is more common on the left than right side. Great balanced hands that stay inside. Footwork progressed from junior to senior year in the kick-slide. Enjoys coming down on an unsuspecting DT and had a mean streak. Let up a big sack to Barron Sorrell in the 2024 playoff game.

Cayden Green, Missouri – Left OT/G

Current draft projection: third round

Primary position: left guard

Houston Texans fit: medium

Initial evaluation: Two years of starting experience at Missouri; one at left guard and one at left tackle, but Green still is a developmental prospect with a high ceiling. A full move back inside will benefit his long-term career prospects. Green has good balance through contact. Does stop his feet in contact especially on pulls. Great at digging out a DT in the run game. Acceleration to get to the second level. Wide hands grasp to control shoulders.

Austin Siereveld, Ohio State – Left Tackle

Current draft projection: second round

Primary position: guard; playing tackle out of necessity and talent

Houston Texans fit: depends on need and desire for versatility

Initial evaluation: the Swiss army knife of the draft class, Siereveld played left and right guard in 2024 and starts at tackle in 2025. He had to step into the starting role mid-season last year due to injuries on their line and has been dominant ever since. One of the highest PFF-graded tackles in 2025, Sierveld needs a strong playoff to cement himself as a day two prospect.

Jake Slaughter Florida – Center

Current draft projection: late second-third round

Primary position: pure center

Houston Texans fit: good – if Houston wants to prioritize center

Initial evaluation: Three-year starter at center for Florida and only allowed four sacks in that time. He’s accepted his Senior Bowl invite and needs to show his skill and technique against NFL-level talent. A classic zone-scheme center with a shorter frame, good base, and quality duo-blocking technique. Slaughter is 6’4 and well built to be a career center in the NFL.

Honorable mentions and players who have not declared:

Parker Brailsford, Alabama – C

Trevor Goosby, Texas – LT

Iapani Laloulu, Oregon – C

Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M – LG

Isaiah World, Oregon – LT

Brian Parker II, Duke – RT (should move to guard)