As much as fantasy football and highlights emphasize perimeter play, the NFL will always be about the trenches.
One of the ways the Houston Texans can accelerate their rebuild is to use their twin first-round selections on the offensive and defensive lines.
According to Tom Fornelli from CBS Sports’ latest mock draft, the Texans take Alabama tackle Evan Neal with their No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft.
The Texans still have Laremy Tunsil and now need a QB, but is there one worth taking here when you have more picks to come? Adding a potential franchise tackle makes a lot of sense. Neal can start at right tackle before eventually moving left.
The problem with taking Neal at that spot is what happens to former 2019 first-round pick Tytus Howard. The Texans are done experimenting with Howard as a guard and are content to play him at right tackle. Adding Neal would be a redundant pick and perhaps the Alabama product would have to kick inside.
Houston picked up No. 13 overall with…