If C.J. Stroud plans to stay upright in 2025, the Houston Texans need an All-American guard to pair alongside five-time Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil.
Consider that mission accomplished based on one mock draft to start the new year.
Jordan Reid’s latest 2025 NFL mock draft from ESPN has the Texans shoring up their trenches with the selection of Arizona offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea with the 20th overall pick in the first round.
Houston’s draft plan is simple on Day 1 entering the wild-card round of the playoffs: take the best lineman available and worry about the rest later.
Arizona OL Jonah Savaiinaea #BuildingTheBoard
Savaiinaea is one of the more intriguing prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft and one of my personal favorites. At 6’5” and 336 pounds with just under 34-inch arms (Estimated), he possesses the kind of physical profile NFL teams… pic.twitter.com/Vih3088zkK
— Chicago Football Connection (@CFCBears) December 9, 2024
C.J. Stroud had a bit of a sophomore slump, and poor play from the Texans’ O-line was a contributing factor. Houston tied for the third-most pass-blocking losses in the league (210) and wasn’t much better in the run game, as its guards’ 66.4% run block win rate was the fifth worst in the NFL.
The 6-foot-5, 336-pound Savaiinaea is a stoutly built blocker who plays with a sturdy base and has powerful hands. He allowed only one sack this season and can play tackle and guard, though he projects best inside in the NFL.
While the Texans could pivot toward the defensive line, their inability to secure a long-term left guard makes the selection of Savaiinaea intriguing. The massive junior comes from an offense built on a ground game emphasis under both Jedd Fisch and Brent Brennan.
Really good run on underclassmen tackles this morning, but Arizona RT Jonah Savaiinaea might be my favorite of the bunch so far. Got a nice tool box, including a snatch trap, really good with his initial strikes too. https://t.co/Htx7fsSNse pic.twitter.com/zpCXPC1vze
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) January 7, 2025
Is it the sexiest pick in a draft filled with defensive studs? Not at all. Most fans are hoping with Tank Dell’s injury woes that Houston will take a pass-catcher to build up Stroud’s production.
But finesse only works when physicality is evident. The Texans must fix their power up the middle if expectations are for Stroud to connect with his targets in 2025.
The former Wildcat also offers position flexibility at four different roles on the line.
The Texans look to extend this season, thus pushing down their draft stock, on Saturday against the Los Angeles Chargers in the AFC wild-card round.
Kickoff from NRG Stadium is scheduled for 3;30 p.m. CT.