The Houston Texans are in the middle of a playoff run and look to advance to their first-ever conference championship with a victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Meanwhile, general manager Nick Caserio is already under the microscope, ensuring that the team will be in a better place to win it all next season after improving the roster through free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft.
There’s no bigger need in Houston than interior trench play on both sides of the ball, most notably the offensive line. The Texans swung and missed on two-time All-American Kenyon Green and could save cap space by releasing players like Shaq Mason and Kendrick Green.
The question also turns to what happens at right tackle. Second-round pick Blake Fisher has struggled to find stability in place of Tytus Howard. Meanwhile, Howard might be a permanent resident at left guard moving forward if he plans to stick around Houston.
If the board falls right, the Texans could land a steal on the offensive line. That’s the case in a new mock draft from CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso, where Houston shores up its pass blocking by landing Texans All-American offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr.
The Texans simply need more offensive line talent up front to better protect C.J. Stroud. Kelvin Banks Jr. had a fantastic season in pass protection for the Longhorns.
Banks has been a staple of the Longhorns’ run to the postseason in back-to-back years. A three-year starter, the Houston native allowed four sacks, four QB hits and 26 hurries in over 2,400 snaps played.
While the Texans would love Banks’ upside in pass protection, his run blocking could be a selling point. Houston has Pro Bowler Joe Mixon locked up for three seasons and plans to make him the focal runner of the offense.
Banks thrived in run blocking as the lead outside leverage man while protecting future NFL running backs Bijan Robinson and Jonathon Brooks. Per Pro Football Focus metrics, he posted an 81.0 career run-blocking grade while in Austin.
The 6-foot-6 junior would instantly elevate the Texans’ pass blocking from mediocre to at least average entering 2025. Some view Banks to be better suited at guard, so Houston could have a competition on where players line up on the right side next fall.
Houston, which takes on Kansas City this weekend at Arrowhead Stadium, could worsen its draft stock by improving its Super Bowl odds with a win over the Chiefs. If they lose, the Texans landing Banks would be viewed as a signature win.