Alabama offensive lineman Tyler Booker has been a popular pick for the Houston Texans in the first round of mock drafts.
Expect to see his name more as the season dwindles week by week.
In the latest seven-round mock draft from Pro Football Network, the Texans shore up the left guard position with the selection of the Alabama All-American at pick No. 25.
After allowing the third-most sacks this season, everything is about protecting C.J. Stroud for 2025 and beyond. Booker, who allowed two sacks in three seasons, should be a plug-and-play upgrade over the current names on Houston’s roster.
“Booker transformed his body heading into 2024 and his game took the necessary steps along with it,” PFN’s Dalton Miller said. “He’s always played with the requisite violence and natural anchoring ability of a high-end guard, but his body composition aided his athleticism. He’s become a legitimately dominant left guard.”
The Texans have several options at right guard. Shaq Mason could be a cap casualty and cut before the start of free agency. Tytus Howard, who recently shifted over to left guard, could move to the right side if the Texans can rework his contract.
Rookie tackle Blake Fisher also could shift inside should the Texans land a premier right tackle in free agency. Left guard, however, needs a stable option next to five-time Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil.
“If anybody watched the Texans… (ever???) they’d see that left guard for the Houston Texans might be the most obvious team need in the league,” Miller wrote.
PFN also elected to better the Texans’ receiving corps with Tank Dell expected to miss a majority of the regular season and Stefon Diggs hitting free agency. In the second round, Houston secures a new long-term slot receiver in Miami’s Xavier Restrepo.
“Injuries piled onto the Texans’ WR corps in 2024, and although Tank Dell is an undersized player, he played most of his snaps on the outside for Houston,” Miller wrote. “Restrepo is also “undersized,” but at 190 pounds and with the heart of a lion, the Hurricanes’ WR thrives on physicality as a blocker and pass catcher.
His shifty and manipulative route running will make him a dangerous third-down weapon, but he was also a downfield playmaker for Miami. His ability to freestyle when Ward was running around in the backfield makes him a quarterback’s best friend when the pocket collapses, and he adds value as a blocker in the run game.”
To round out the mock draft,…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Injuries | Texans Wire…