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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Cole Thompson

Texans boost interior offensive line in latest 2025 mock draft

If C.J. Stroud plans to stay upright in 2025, the Houston Texans need an All-American guard to pair alongside Laremy Tusnil.

Consider that mission accomplished based on one mock draft to start the new year.

Christian D’Andrea’s latest 2025 NFL mock draft from For The Win! has the Texans shoring up their trenches with the selection of Alabama offensive lineman Tyler Booker with the 19th overall pick in the first round.

Houston’s draft plan is simple on Day 1 entering the wild-card round of the playoffs: take the best lineman available and worry about the rest later. 

The interior of the Texans line is a disaster and it’s had a drastic impact on C.J. Stroud’s development. The former Pro Bowler saw his pressure rate rise from 35 to 39 percent and dropped his average throw distance from 8.2 yards downfield to seven.

While the Texans could pivot toward the defensive line, their inability to secure a long-term left guard makes Booker’s selection intriguing. The junior comes from an offense built on a ground game emphasis under both Nick Saban and Kalen DeBoer.

Is it the sexiest pick in a draft filled with defensive studs? Not at all. Most fans are hoping with Tank Dell’s injury woes that Houston will take a pass-catcher to build up Stroud’s production. 

But finesse only works when physicality is evident. The Texans must fix their power up the middle if expectations are for Stroud to connect with his targets in 2025. 

Booker provides that and then some. 

He’s a high-floor blocker who can be an immediate asset. He can play multiple positions up front and create pancakes from all of them. He can play hyperactive at times, but he’s a bulldozer who understands his assignments.

The Texans close the regular season on the road against the Tennessee Titans. Kickoff from Nissan Stadium is scheduled for noon CT. 

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