March 19, 2026, 3:22 p.m. CT

With the Houston Texans have recently signed Cleveland Browns lineman Wyatt Teller to the offensive line, a “best player availible” approach might be the best option for the franchise when on the clock at pick No. 28 next month.

In the latest mock draft from NFL Network, that’s exactly what Houston does, shoring up a long-term need with a potential top-20 pick slipping outside the ranks.

NFL.com’s Eric Edholm 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, Edhold actually has Houston passing on an offensive tackle and taking Ohio State defensive standout Kayden McDonald, thus giving Will Anderson Jr. a long-term running mate at the interior.

“I previously slotted an offensive lineman here for the Texans, but they’ve since made multiple veteran additions there, so it’s time to turn to the other side of the trenches,” Edholm wrote. “McDonald could fill a run-stopping void inside immediately and elevate a great defense even higher.”

McDonald, a standout of the Bulldogs, has a chance to be a staple in the run game. Last season as the key run defender for college football’s No. 1-ranked defense, McDonald finished with a team-leading nine tackles for loss, 21 QB hits and three sacks.

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Since the start of the DeMeco Ryans era, Houston has continued to bargain shop at defensive tackle rather than just have a stable long-term face at the position. With the arrival of McDonald, 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.

Given that Houston has two second-round picks and an early pick in Round 3, addressing the offensive line still should be expected. The Texans likely could consider options like Oregon’s Emmanuel Pregnon, Utah’s Caleb Lomu, or Texas A&M’s Chase Bisontis when on the board at No. 38.

To check the entire mock draft, click the link here.