Houston Texans' Mock Draft: Trench Warriors

0:00It's April 20th. This is NFL News today, AI Power Stories from Around the League. I'm Cory with the Story. The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off April 23rd in Pittsburgh, and the Houston Texans are locked in with eight picks, starting at number. 28 overall. They hold four selections between 28 and 70, perfect for loading up on talent. This fresh-mott draft zeroes in on beefing up the trenches, grabbing offensive and defensive lineman early to push the roster higher. Expect general manager Nick Casario to wheel and deal like always, but in this projection, they snag Arizona State Tackle, Max Ihanakor, at Difference and Acore. 28 for right tackle depth behind Braden Smith. Then in round two, Georgia's Kristen Miller lands at 38 as a run-stuffing defensive tackle, South Florida's Malachi Lawrence at 59 adds edge rush juice next to Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter. Fans and scouts see this as smart stacking, especially after Houston hosted top defensive

1:03tackles pre-draft. The impact hits hard on protection for the quarterback and pressure a front, addressing key holes with athletic college studs who improved year over year. Georgia Tech Guard Keelan Rutledge at 69 and round three keeps the O-line momentum, potentially flipping to left guard. Deeper picks rounded out with South Carolina DB. J-Long Kill Gore at 106 for versatile secondary help, TCU linebacker Caleb Alarms, or at one. 141 for depth behind for agents, Indiana running back K-Long Black at 161 to back David Montgomery and Florida. Ride out J-Michael Sturdyvin at 243 as a late deep threat gamble. This blueprint could transform Houston's front seven into elite territory, blending youth and experience for a real contender run, starting next, season.