The Houston Texans don’t need another first-round offensive tackle.
The Texans currently have two-time Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil under contract to play left tackle. Houston also has former 2019 first-rounder Tytus Howard slated to return to the right side after spending 2021 playing inside at guard.
Some mock drafts have the Texans selecting Alabama prospect Evan Neal No. 3 overall in the 2022 NFL draft. The selection seems redundant given Tunsil locking down left tackle and the Texans’ commitment to having Howard return to the right side.
However, Peter King from NBC Sports released his 10-pick mock and had the Texans taking Neal, and his rationale was on point with what Texans fans have observed from general manager Nick Caserio so far.
Second straight team that wouldn’t surprise me taking Thibodeaux because of the promise. But when I think of GM Nick Caserio, I think of long-term program-builder, and I think “Saban dude.” As a disciple of Bill Belichick, Caserio learned to trust Belichick’s best pal in coaching, Nick Saban, and Saban is all-in on this versatile long-term lineman. Neal can start at right tackle if need be and play four spots on the line, and is a near-lock to earn a second contract from the Texans.
On May 1, 2021, after the third and final day of the draft, Caserio explained why Houston took Brevin Jordan in the fifth round despite already being stacked at tight end going into the draft.
“I’d say when you look at the team, it’s really about competition and it’s about creating opportunities,” Caserio said. “The players are going to create their opportunities. We have to get them on the team, right, however they get them here, right, you draft them, you sign them in free agency, you trade for them, whatever the case may be. Then once they’re here, ultimately the competition is going to dictate who plays, who doesn’t play and what their role is.”
If Caserio believes the Texans are still in a phase where they need to create opportunities for competition throughout the roster, adding Neal to push Howard would be a reason the Texans add another blue-chip tackle.
