The NFL offseason is well underway as we are just days away from April and the NFL draft set for shortly thereafter. With that in mind, many are looking at where teams will go with their first draft choice.
ESPN’s Houston Texans insider D.J. Bien-Aime identified the Texans’ top three needs heading into the draft. Bien-Aime picked interior offensive line, defensive tackle and cornerback. He gave the following explanation for those selections.
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“The focus for Houston in this draft is finding budding talented players who could become starters at the interior offensive line and defensive tackle. Right now, Houston has a guard duo of Wyatt Teller and Ed Ingram, along with Jake Andrews at center. Ingram just signed a three-year deal, but Houston needs a long-term answer on the left side.
Since coach DeMeco Ryans arrived in 2023, the Texans have rotated through starting defensive tackles. It’s time for a long-term answer to pair with Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. off the edge. With cornerback, it’s more about depth, just in case Jalen Pitre, Derek Stingley Jr or Kamari Lassiter suffer an injury.”
Interestingly, Bien-Aime does not list offensive tackle as a top need. Some question whether or not Braden Smith will truly answer the Texans’ questions at right tackle after losing Tytus Howard to the Cleveland Browns via trade. Nevertheless, adding any offensive lineman could still help the team. Perhaps adding a guard would free up someone else to move outside.
Houston Texans running back Nick Chubb (21) rushes past Indianapolis Colts safety Camryn Bynum (0) for a touchdown at Lucas Oil Stadium. Christine Tannous, Christine Tannous-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller has San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson as a potential fit with the Texans. He said why Johnson could be heading to Houston later in the draft.
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“With two second-round picks and one in the third, the Texans can be serious about attacking this deep cornerback class. At 6-foot, 193 pounds, Johnson ran a 4.40 at the combine and has the length to be a nuisance for NFL wide receivers.”
Whether or not the Texans address Bien-Aime’s stated needs in the first three picks or they give the San Diego State corner the strong consideration Miller believes he’s due is anyone’s guess. That said, we can have a pretty good idea Houston views team needs about the same as those not within the organization.
It’s an exciting time to be a Houston Texans fan on the heels of an nine-game winning streak to end the 2025 regular season with a 12-5 record. They will look to build on it with a handful of immediate impact draft picks.