Mock Draft 3.0 for the Houston Texans kicks off with Houston a banger. This mock draft attempts to resemble the chaos and fluidity with which General Manager Nick Caserio moves around the draft board rather than how I would approach this class. Caserio averages FIVE trades per draft class, a daunting and mind-numbing number of moves throughout the three days.
To get things started, Houston moves up eight picks in the first round to select the centerpiece of the offensive line.
TRADE:
Houston Receives:
- Round 1, Pick 20
- Round 5, Round 150
Dallas
Receives:
- Round 1, Pick 28
- Round 3, Pick 69
- Round 5, Pick 167
Round 1, Pick 20: Kadyn Proctor, OG/OT – Alabama
I cannot think of a better player to play next to and learn from Trent Brown than Kadyn Proctor. Brown signed a one year deal with Houston, which will push Proctor inside to play guard and learn the system before becoming the right tackle of the future.
Proctor is already down 15 pounds from his college playing weight when he stepped on the scale at the NFL Combine. That’s a fantastic sign for the big, athletic lineman. A move inside for one year will teach him to better use his leverage and improve upon his technique while filling a critical hole in Houston’s offenses.
Round 2, Pick 38: Christen Miller, DT – Georgia
Kayden McDonald was the goal here, but his draft value has ballooned well into the first-round. Lee Hunter’s technique also raises some doubts, as he resembles Ross Blacklock too much, which leads Houston to select Miller.
Miller projects to immediately rotate in at defensive tackle and should be a strong pair with Sheldon Rankins.
Miller is a brick wall at defensive tackle who has two years of starting experience at Georgia. Though he lacks a definitive pass rush, he’s the best run stopper on Day Two of the draft and that’s what Caserio & Co. prioritize from their defensive tackles.
He possessed above average lateral agility for a 320-pound defensive tackle. He has a bad knack for running past the QB when he does get penetration, which created multiple QB scrambles for extra yards. He can also disappear at times and rotated heavily in a deep Bulldogs defensive front. If Houston can develop his pass rush moves and improve his ability to take on double teams, they’ll have their first long-term stalwart at DT since Roy Lopez.
Miller projects to immediately rotate in at defensive tackle and should be a strong pair with Sheldon Rankins.
TRADE:
Houston Receives:
- Round 3, Pick 76
- Round 3, Pick 99
Pittsburgh Receives:
- Round 2, Pick 59
The Texans refill their coffers in the middle of the draft by trading out of the second round with the Pittsburgh Steelers
Round 3, Pick 76: Keyland Rutledge, OG
Another move to solidify the offensive line comes in the form of senior Keyland Rutledge and his three years of starting experience at right guard. He’s a fantastic compliment to Kadyn Proctor, who will most likely play either left guard or right tackle in Houston.
Rutledge possesses a mean streak to go along with his elite PFF pass-blocking grades. His initial evaluation as a Day Three pick has quickly evolved, and he is now viewed as an early third-round prospect.
With the selection of Rutledge, the Texans are free to pursue the ’best player available’ throughout the draft and focus on adding weapons for Stroud or depth on defense.
Round 3, Pick 99: Deontae Lawson, LB – Alabama
Quick to key and diagnose, Lawson is Houston’s style of linebacker. His long frame and strength are a plus and could continue to build out his body in an NFL weight room without loosing speed.
He needs to work on his shedding ability when he’s caught upright in the run game. When bigger lineman get to him, he lacks creativity and fervor to dislodge himself.
Two-time team captain, sideline-to-sideline juice, and a true cerebral linebacker. He’s the future Texans WILL linebacker caller Houston secured him in the third round.
TRADE:
Nick Caserio executes another trade down to reorganize his draft picks and grab more value earlier in the draft.
Houston Receives:
- Round 4, Pick 117
- Round 6, Pick 184
Las Vegas Receives:
- Round 4, Pick 106
- Round 7, Pick 243
Round 4, Pick 117: Eli Raridon, TE – Notre Dame
This tight end class is truly a “choose your character” experience after the first three tight ends (Kenyon Sadiq, Eli Stowers, and Max Klare). Eli Raridon possesses the best combination of size, speed, and blocking prowess outside of the first tier tight ends even though he statistically leaves a lot to be desired.
Raridon’s athletic profile is everything the NFL is asking for. He’s 6’6”, ran a 4.64 40 yard dash, has 88th percentile hands, and 90th percentile broad jump. Throw in his football lineage and two years of starting experience at Notre Dame, and his composite profile stands out in a crowded class.
He can stretch the field over the middle with his long speed and pairs that with in-breaking slants and comeback routes. Raridon needs to improve his route tree and cutting at the top of his route to create more space for himself. The poor pivoting is most likely due to his two ACL injuries.
While Raridon is ranked below many tight ends, he’s the best fit for an in-line blocking tight end for offensive coordinator Nick Caley.
Round 5, Pick 150: Cole Wisniewski, S – Texas Tech
Wisniewski played as both a deep safety and box safety for Texas Tech, but initially played as a linebacker at North Dakota State. His switch to safety occurred in 2023 and he gelled well in the position. His extensive injury history will be a deterrent for most teams.
Houston can deploy him in nickel or dime formations as a linebacker or keep him back in two-deep safety sets. Two years to learn the position better behind Reed Blankenship will help convert the safety into a rotational starter at the end of his rookie deal.
Round 6, Pick 184: Caden Curry, DE – Ohio State
Houston rounds out their draft with a one-year starter at defensive end who could prove to be a quite productive backup. He totaled 11 sacks in 2025 and has an elite PFF pass rush win rate of 88.7. He was used both as a defensive end in even fronts and 4-technique in odd fronts, giving him positional versatility. Curry patiently waited his turn at Ohio State to shine and would need to do the same in Houston.
