Texans pick a Texas Longhorn in this live mock draft.
I was recently invited to represent the Houston Texans in former BRB staff writer and current YouTube sensation Brett Kollmann’s mock draft. If you’re a fan of the draft or anything in-depth with the NFL, Brett’s content is in a tier of its its own. Representatives from all 32 teams made live selections and trades over the weekend. This is as real of a draft experiment as you’ll get, folks.
Pre-Draft Trade Discussions:
First, the Dallas Cowboys (pick 12) reached out to me about moving up,. They requested at least a second rounder. The initial discussion landed at Houston’s 25th and 58th picks for Dallas’ 12th and 204th picks. The goal? Take either Armand Membou or Will Campbell if they fall.
Then, I reached out to the Detroit Lions (pick 28) in case several offensive lineman were on the board at 25. I tried to negotiate for a fourth rounder plus a sixth, but lacked the draft capital and only offered a fourth rounder (pick 130). If this was real life, I’d ask for a future 2026 pick, but for this exercise it wasn’t necessary. Filling in the 80+ pick between our third and fifth round picks was the priority but didn’t make sense at this junction.
I also quickly spoke to the Ravens (pick 27) ‘front office’ to offer them a similar trade as the Lions, but their plan was to stick and pick. In reality, the Ravens boast 11 draft picks and are expected to move up in the draft.
With that, I entered the draft patiently awaiting who would be available; and by patiently, I mean waiting eight hours to make my first selection…
Round 1, Pick 25: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT – Texas
Analysis: As he did in the SB Nation Community Mock, Banks fell to the Texans. If this possibility becomes reality, the Texans will be in a fantastic position for the rest of the draft.
Banks Jr. was a three-year starter at Texas and the anchor of an offensive line that could see all five starters drafted. His consistency, play strength, and footwork stand out in a class thin on true tackles.
Despite his strengths, Banks Jr. is slipping in mock drafts due to inconsistent run-blocking form and other technical flaws that will need to be ironed out at the next level. Still, in a class lacking definitive left tackles, Banks is one of the few who can slot in immediately.
Some analysts do convey his potential at guard, but his height, length, lack of lower body thickness, and superior footwork suggest a move inside would misuse his traits. He racked up 2,778 snaps at left tackle in the both the Big 12 and SEC and anyone who tells you he isn’t a tackle doesn’t understand how talent translates.
With Banks locked in, and an understanding that there is a steep talent cliff around pick 50-55 this year (the Texans hold pick 58), I began pinging team around pick 45-50 to see if anyone was willing to move back in case a favorite of mine potentially fell too.
TRADE
The Texans Send:
– Pick 2.58
– Pick 5.166
– Pick 7.241
The Bengals Send:
– Pick 2.49
Round 2, Pick 49: Josh Conerly Jr., OT – Oregon
Analysis: And boy, did one fall. From my previous draft profile on Josh Conerly Jr. Conerly is a rapidly improving left tackle prospect with the athleticism and length to succeed at the next level. At pick 58, none of the available wide receivers warranted selection, and given the depth at defensive tackle, I felt comfortable waiting. Instead, I opted to grab Conerly and fully revamp the left side of the offensive line. Either Kelvin Banks Jr. kicks inside to left guard or Conerly transitions to right tackle—regardless, Houston’s offensive front undergoes a dramatic upgrade.
I selected Conerly Jr. in a previous mock draft at pick 25, but Banks Jr. is above and beyond the better choice. When Conerly started falling, I tried to trade up to 40, but couldn’t find the draft capital. He kept falling and I was there to swoop him up.
Conerly Jr. is a true left tackle at 6’4”, 315 pounds and possesses a finesse kick-slide. He is still developing; he’s only 21 years old but is an elite, elite athlete with a basketball background and footwork to match. His frame can support more strength which will be necessary to reach his potential.
This trade does mean the Texans only have two more picks left, but I solve that soon (in part II of this mock draft).
My best case Houston Texans offensive line now:
- LT: Josh Conerly Jr.
- LG: Kelvin Banks Jr.
- C: Juice Scruggs
- RG: Ed Ingram (Can Blake Fisher play guard?)
- RT: Tytus Howard
Round 3, Pick 79: T.J. Sanders, DL – South Carolina
Analysis: I continue to check boxes with complete studs. Sanders was the best player on the board at 79 and was an excellent value pick for the Texans in this draft. My favorite draft analysts over at NFL Stock Exchange nicknamed Sanders “Bullrush McIntyre” due to his un-ironically unoriginal name not standing out in a class filled with elite names (Luther Burden III and Bhayshal Tuten for example), being the reason he isn’t higher on draft boards.
Overall, defensive lineman fell in this draft; almost all of the perennial second rounders were still on the board well into the third round. Sanders is a dynamic force with three years of starting experience. He grades out as an elite run stopper with immense length. He weighed in a tad under at the NFL Combine, but his playing weight should be in the 300s.
He is a gap disruptor and plays primary the three technique over the guard. He uses his 6’4” frame and absurd get-off to completely collapse the line of scrimmage. His film against Clemson is some of the most dominant play in this class.
Sander’s super power is his vision. It can be easy for tackles to blunt force attack their offensive lineman without recognition for where the ball is. Sanders head is on a swivel and moving with purpose. He projects to be a day-one starter in a deep Texans interior and helps the front seven take a huge step forward as the long-term solution.
I will split this draft into two separate articles. A little sneak peak for you: I ended up trading with an AFC South Rival to recoup some of the draft capital sold to select Josh Conerly Jr.