The Houston Texans better find some offensive linemen in the 2025 NFL Draft.
On Tuesday, the Texans agreed to trade guard Kenyon Green and a 2026 fifth-rounder to the Philadelphia Eagles for safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and a 2026 sixth-rounder, per NFL Media insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo.
The Texans have already agreed to send star left tackle Laremy Tunsil and a 2025 fourth-rounder to the Washington Commanders for four draft picks, via The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.
Trading two O-linemen after Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud was sacked 52 times in 17 starts last season seems nonsensical. Perhaps Houston is confident it can find upgrades for its shaky O-line in the draft.
Per Pro Football Focus, Green posted a below-average 39.7 pass-blocking grade in 12 games in 2024.
Tunsil, meanwhile, has made five Pro Bowls in nine seasons with the Miami Dolphins and Texans. However, he turns 31 on Aug. 2 and has a $21.35M cap hit in 2025.
The draft class has prospects who could plug Houston’s O-line holes, including Texas OT Kelvin Banks Jr. (6-foot-5, 315 pounds) and Ohio State guard Donovan Jackson (6-foot-4, 315 pounds). In 2024, Banks earned a first-team All-American nod, and Jackson was named a second-team All-American.
The Texans can also count on general manager Nick Caserio, who has a proven track record. He spent 20 seasons with the New England Patriots as a scout and director of player personnel, helping the club win six Super Bowls.
Still, banking on the draft is a massive gamble for the Texans. And if they fail to improve their O-line there, Stroud may have to scramble even more in 2025.
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