The 2025 season saw the Houston Texans make significant strides in protecting their franchise cornerstone, C.J. Stroud. After a 2024 campaign that saw Stroud harassed to the tune of 54 sacks, the unit—anchored by the mid-season acquisition of veteran Cam Robinson and the continued growth of Juice Scruggs—cut that number nearly in half.
However, "better" is not "elite." While the pass protection metrics trended upward, the run game remained inconsistent, and the departure of Laremy Tunsil in a blockbuster trade to Washington has left a void in long-term blindside security. If the Texans want to transition from "playoff participant" to "Super Bowl favorite" in 2026, the offensive line requires a infusion of blue-chip talent.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWith eight picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, including three in the top 64, GM Nick Caserio has the capital to turn this unit into a league-leading force. Here is the blueprint for a 2026 trenches makeover.
1. Identify the New Anchor at Left Tackle
The trade of Tunsil was a calculated risk, betting on future flexibility over immediate stability. In 2026, that bet must pay off. The Texans should look to use their first-round selection (currently projected in the late 20s) on a high-floor tackle who can grow alongside Stroud.
The Target: Spencer Fano (Utah) or Monroe Freeling (Georgia).
The Logic:Fano is a technician with the lateral quickness required to mirror AFC South speed rushers.Freeling offers the prototypical "SEC frame" (6'7") that the Texans' current zone-blocking scheme craves.Drafting a tackle in Round 1 isn't just about protection, it’s about resetting the rookie wage scale at a premium position.
2. Solve the "Interior Push" Problem
Despite the improvement in sack totals, the Texans struggled in 2025 with "Run Stuffed" rates. Too often, Houston’s backs were met in the backfield because of a lack of vertical displacement from the guard positions. With two second-round picks (one via Washington), the Texans can address the interior.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Target: Emmanuel Pregnon (Oregon) or Chase Bisontis (Texas A&M).
The Logic: Pregnon is a 315-pound mauler who specializes in "erasing" defensive tackles.Placing a powerhouse like Pregnon next to Juice Scruggs would give the Texans a definitive "identity side" for short-yardage situations, something they lacked in the 2025 playoffs.
3. Depth and the "Swing" Mentality
One of the harsh lessons of the 2024-25 stretch was that a single injury to a starter can derail the entire offensive rhythm. In the middle rounds (3rd and 4th), Houston should prioritize positional versatility.
The Strategy: Target "Tackle-to-Guard" converts.
Potential Fit: Gennings Dunker (Iowa).Dunker has played tackle for the Hawkeyes but projects as an elite NFL guard.His ability to slide outside in an emergency makes him the perfect "6th man" for a championship-caliber roster.+1
2026 Projected Draft Assets
{ Round-Pick Origin-Priority Level }
1st | Houston | Extreme(Left Tackle)
2nd | Washington | High(Interior OL)
2nd | Houston | Medium(Best Player Available)
3rd | New York Giants | Medium(OL Depth/Project)
4th | Washington | Low(Special Teams/Development)
The Two Cents For 2026
The Texans have successfully moved past the "dumpster fire" era of their offensive line. But to beat the heavyweights of the AFC—the Chiefs, Ravens, and Bengals—they cannot rely on C.J. Stroud’s "hero ball" to escape pressure.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBy using their 2026 first-round pick on a franchise tackle and leveraging their extra second-rounder on a dominant guard, Houston can build a wall that doesn't just "hold up," but actively dictates the terms of the game.
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