After rallying from behind in the second half and overtime to overcome the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII, the Kansas City Chiefs are still atop the NFL standings. For those who are watching at home, draft season is now underway. On April 25, what will the Houston Texans do with the 23rd overall pick? All of that will depend on who you speak with when free agency begins next month. NFL Network reports that Houston has added Oklahoma offensive tackle Tyler Guyton to strengthen its offensive line in an effort to keep C.J. Stroud upright.
After rallying from behind in the second half and overtime to overcome the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII, the Kansas City Chiefs are still atop the NFL standings. For those who are watching at home, draft season is now underway. On April 25, what will the Houston Texans do with the 23rd overall pick? All of that will depend on who you speak with when free agency begins next month. NFL Network reports that Houston has added Oklahoma offensive tackle Tyler Guyton to strengthen its offensive line in an effort to keep C.J. Stroud upright.
Numerous injuries to Houston’s offensive line resulted in frequent changes to the starting five. After undergoing knee surgery, second-year guard Kenyon Green was declared out of the season in August. While fellow rookie Jarrett Patterson only appeared in seven games, rookie Juice Scruggs was placed on injured reserve and wasn’t allowed to return until Week 12. Before training camp began, Tytus Howard signed a three-year, $56 million contract extension. However, during the team’s Week 12 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, he sustained a knee injury that necessitated season-ending surgery. Howard, a tackle by trade, moved inside to guard after Green was sidelined before the regular season began.
Fant is slated to enter the market. Fant started every game in front of Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil. He might return to Houston on a one-year contract to challenge Howard, Patterson, and Green for the tackle-guard position. With his experience, Howard, 31, would be a great swing tackle if he moved back outside.
Guyton’s arrival would probably force Howard to assume the starting left guard position going forward, putting a stop to the Green experiment. The Texans still see a bright future for the former top-15 pick, despite his lackluster play thus far.
The Texans may decide to switch to a defensive lineup now that a number of key players are available. While helping Houston rebound for a seven-win turnaround and postseason berth in 2023, cornerback Steven Nelson, defensive end Jonathan Greenard, linebacker Blake Cashma, and defensive lineman Sheldon Rankins made an impression. These players may be looking to cash in with a different team. Florida State defensive end Jared Verse, Penn State defensive end Chop Robinson, Illinois defensive tackle Jer’zhan Newton, Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy, Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid Mckinstry, and Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell are among the early defensive prospects to keep an eye on in the first round. On April 25, the draft’s first round will take place in Detriot.
