Two moves continue to be at the forefront of all conversations surrounding the Houston Texans’ first-round pick.
Houston, which must elevate the offensive personnel around quarterback C.J. Stroud, could either target an interior offensive lineman or a wide receiver with the 25th overall pick. After allowing 54 sacks in 2024, most would assume drafting a future guard with the Day 1 pick is a priority.
That’s not the case for NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, who believes adding a pass-catcher in Round 1 is Houston’s best chance of improving the offense from the jump.
Jeremiah isn’t saying that Houston should avoid the offensive line, but a selection in the second round, especially with a deep class of guards and centers, might provide a win-win for Houston all around.
“I think you can address that interior offensive line later on in the draft,” Jeremiah said in his yearly pre-combine conference call on Friday. “I think there is some depth along that interior.”
The Texans have been linked to Alabama’s Tyker Booker as an option at guard in Round 1. The only problem is with a promising performance this week in Indianapolis this week, Booker likely plays himself into conversations around the top 15 picks.
With Houston selected at No. 25, selecting a player who could be in play on Day 2. Instead of drafting an interior lineman who could make sense at pick No. 58, Jeremiah suggested that Houston should be looking at Ohio State slot receiver Emeka Egbuka with its first pick as a long-term starter in new offensive coordinator Nick Caley’s system.
“He can play inside and outside. Just really, really smart and instinctive and tough,” Jeremiah said of Egbuka’s skills. “I think he would make a lot of sense there.”
Should the former Buckeyes star be gone, Jeremiah said a pivot toward Texas standout and Houston native Matthew Golden should be the second-best option.
“I think both these guys actually are going to run a lot faster than people
think, but a lot of the same attributes,” Jeremiah said. “I‘ve become kind of obsessed with receivers with the thought and keeping an eye out for guys who are grounded through the catch, guys who really trust their hands and run through the ball. I just put more importance on that. You just see the really great receivers in the NFL have that trait, that quality, that confidence in their hands and allows them to do so much after the catch as well.
“Both those guys are grounded through the catch, tough, smart, instinctive players that I think would be home run fits there with C.J. Stroud.”
The Texans have six picks in the upcoming NFL draft, so landing their top two needs should be easy entering next week’s combine.