The Houston Texans added a key piece to their offensive line during free agency by trading with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for guard Shaq Mason.
The 6-1, 310-pound interior offensive lineman was good enough to compel the Texans to release A.J. Cann, a year after signing him to a three-year contract. With Houston sporting an offensive line that features left tackle Laremy Tunsil, left guard Kenyon Green, Mason at right guard, and right tackle Tytus Howard, the Texans should have one of the better units in 2023.
There is virtually no need to use their extra first-round pick on an offensive lineman, but that is exactly what they do in a recent mock draft.
According to Trevor Sikkema from Pro Football Focus, the Texans use their No. 12 overall pick to take Northwestern tackle Peter Skoronski.
With rumors of Laremy Tunsil potentially on the trade block — and even without them — the Texans should look to the trenches with their second first-round pick. Whether it’s at tackle or guard, Skoronski has the tape to suggest he’s a starter at the next level.
Mock drafts represent possibilities, and the only way the Texans would even consider a high-value offensive lineman is if Tunsil were gone by the 2023 NFL draft. Otherwise the Texans would be overloaded with talent, and it would be especially awkward if they still had Scott Quessenberry as their starting center. Why not try to upgrade at center rather than use a first-rounder on an offensive lineman who will be starving for first-team reps in his rookie year?
The next five picks in the mock draft included Georgia tackle Broderick Jones, Alabama safety Brian Branch, Iowa defensive end Lukas Van Ness, and Oklahoma tackle Anton Harrison. Georgia edge defender Nolan Smith does not come off the board until No. 18 overall to the Detroit Lions.
