Jan. 30, 2026, 11:55 a.m. CT

Who do the Houston Texans select when on the clock at pick No. 28 in the 2026 NFL Draft come April?

Once again, Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor seems to be a fan favorite and analyst favorite as the month turns over and heads into February.

Following a week of Senior Bowl and Shrine Bowl practice, NFL.com’s Eric Edholm released his Mock Draft 1.0, including all 32 teams picks and potential trades. As for Houston, it shores up its offensive line and continues to attack the Southeastern Conference with Proctor’s addition.

An All-American left tackle for the Crimson Tide during his three seasons under Nick Saban and Kalen DeBoer, Proctor’s arrival would likely serve as a telling sign that the Texans would shift Tytus Howard to guard, thus opening up a spot at right tackle opposite breakout rookie Aireontae Ersery on the blind side.

“Bama’s left tackle is a complex evaluation and didn’t have a first-round type of season in 2025, but he’s a gifted mauler who could find a better home inside,” Edholm wrote. “The Texans still must upgrade the offensive front and might be the perfect team to gamble on his talent.”

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.

Proctor, one of the more consistent options in the SEC among offensive linemen, allowed just two sacks in over 220 pass-blocking snaps and just 19 total pressures. Perhaps the biggest question mark to his game will be transitioning from the left side over to right tackle.

During his three college seasons, Proctor never played outside of left tackle in over 1,800 snaps. Finishing with an 85.2 grade by Pro Football Focus, Proctor might never reach the Pro Bowl potential as envisioned when signed on with the Crimson Tide in 2023.

A move to guard has been mentioned several times over the past month and could be something in the works if Houston views Howard more as a tackle prospect. This past season, the former first-round pick rotated between right tackle and left guard, eventually settling in at the latter, but finding more consistecy at the former.

The Texans have eight picks in April’s draft, including four inside the top 70.