What if the Houston Texans added another first-round offensive lineman?
According to Patrick Conn from the College Sports Wire, who released his latest mock draft, the Texans go in that direction at No. 12 overall and pick Georgia tackle Broderick Jones.
If you are going to take a quarterback in the first round, you better have the pieces in place to protect your investment. Jones gives them a player on the edge that can keep Stroud upright in the pocket.
Taking Jones would create a logjam at tackle and guard. Laremy Tunsil has left tackle already, as does Tytus Howard with right tackle. Former 2022 first-rounder Kenyon Green has left guard, and newly acquired Shaq Mason is expected to take right guard.
Would Jones sit for a year, or would the coaching staff allow the 6-4, 310-pounder to compete with Howard for right tackle? If Howard lost to a rookie, would he remain the swing tackle, or would they be willing to trade him to a tackle-deficient team at the end of preseason or at the regular season trade deadline?
No doubt adding Jones would continue to give the Texans excellent outside protection for years to come, but splitting up the snaps in 2023 would be problematic.
Also on the board at No. 12 overall were Georgia outside linebacker Nolan Smith, Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Clemson defensive end Myles Murphy, USC wideout Jordan Addison, Iowa defensive end Lukas Van Ness, and TCU receiver Quentin Johnston.
As for the No. 2 overall pick, Houston uses the selection to take Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud after the Carolina Panthers use the top pick on the board to acquire Alabama quarterback Bryce Young.