The Iowa tight end might be a more willing blocker
Mercifully the 2025 NFL draft is over. The Texans didn’t have Mr. Irrelevant, but they were pretty darn close. Hopes were high that the Texans would address their interior offensive line at some point in the draft proceedings, but apparently Nick Caserio and company felt they had bigger fish to fry. The Texans closed out their draft by selecting tight end Luke Lachey out of Iowa.
The senior tight end played five seasons at Iowa and added 28 receptions and 231 yards in 2024. Obviously, Iowa is not known as an offensive juggernaut so it is possible that he could be hiding some impressive skills, but clearly they were a running team and so he served more as sixth lineman in most circumstances.
Vitals
Height: 6’6”
Weight: 251 pounds
Vertical: 35”
Prospect: 5.97 (Average backup or special teamer)
If the Texans lacked anything at the position it was size and willingness to block. That might give Lachey a chance to stick in spite of being a seventh round selection. Nick Caley is a former tight end coach, so maybe he will be able to work some magic with Lachey.
Lance Zierlein said he was capable of lining up on the line of scrimmage or succeeding on the move. That kind of flexibility will help and if he is a more willing blocker than Dalton Schultz then it could end up helping the protection for C.J. Stroud in a roundabout way. He was projected to go in the sixth or seventh round, so he might actually be a better prospect than the last couple of selections for the Texans. What do you think? Do you think he has a chance to make it?