The Houston Texans enter the bye week with a chance to evaluate the roster.
The scouting department can also begin to study the tape with the college football regular season at its end.
The Texans should be thinking about life in January since they’re only a few games away from clinching the AFC South, but the draft is right around the corner. Houston must upgrade its interior offensive line while also targeting a long-term defensive tackle.
Barring a trade of four-time Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil, Houston should be content with its book ends. Either 2024 second-round pick Blake Fisher or veteran Tytus Howard should serve as the starting right tackle in 2025.
Howard, who inked a three-year extension before the 2023 season, could also shift inside to guard, leaving a hole at right guard in place of the struggling Shaq Mason. Center and both guard positions should be up for grabs, even if the Texans elect to bring back former first-round pick and oft-injured Kenyon Green.
Here’s a look at where the Texans are listed after the Week 12 loss and the full draft order projection from Tankathon:
- Round 1, No. 22 overall
- Round 2, No. 53 overall
- Round 3, No. 88 overall
- Round 4, No. 124 overall
- Round 5, No. 166 overall (via BUF)
- Round 7, No. 240 overall
All those numbers could improve if the Texans can respond when they return next Sunday to take on the Miami Dolphins. Houston remains the favorite to win the AFC South, yet it might be stuck in the No. 4 seed should Pittsburgh and Buffalo continue to win entering Week 15.
Houston could secure a head-to-head win over the Baltimore Ravens, thus factoring into the No. 3 seed if the AFC North franchise can clinch a division title.
