March 18, 2026, 6:05 p.m. CT
What’s the right move for the Houston Texans when it comes to drafting a player in the first round at pick No. 28, especially after the addition of recently signed Cleveland Browns lineman Wyatt Teller to the offensive line.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. recently released his mock draft 2.0 following the first wave of free agency entering the week. Hoping to shore up the right side of the defensive line long-term, Kiper actually has Houston going in a different direction with the addition of Georgia defensive tackle Christen Miller.
“Why would the Texans go defense? Yes, it’s their strength, but they need to keep it their strength. Smart teams plan ahead,” Kiper said. “And having the chance to put a disruptive interior lineman between Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter is exciting. Miller is active and quick, and he keeps getting better. With opponents focused on stopping Anderson and Hunter, Miller could get pressure inside and make some plays in the backfield. He had 7.5 tackles for loss over the past two years.”
Miller, a standout of the Bulldogs, has a chance to be a staple in the run game. Houston continues to bargain shop at defensive tackle rather than just have a stable long-term face at the position. With the arrival of Miller, he would serve as the focal point of Houston’s interior run defense, pairing him alongside Sheldon Rankins at least through 2027.
There’s not a lot of flash to his game, but Miller is expected to be a stable option that should be a staple for interior defensive line play for years to come. It’s likely the only move Houston could make for the defensive front, but it’s a step in a direction that should give more promise entering 2026.
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To check the entire mock draft, click the link here.