If C.J. Stroud plans to stay upright in 2025, the Houston Texans need an All-American guard to pair alongside Laremy Tunsil.
There’s a chance for Tytus Howard to return since he’s on the books for two more years, but Houston will probably ask him to transition to guard full-time to stick around. Beyond those two, the Texans could add three new starters by the offseason’s end.
Yes, Houston could benefit from targeting proven talent in free agency, but given its current salary cap and long-term need for stability at guard, shoring up its trenches in the draft with perhaps a Pro Bowl-caliber option.
That’s the plan in Sports Illustrated’s latest mock draft, which continues to show Houston taking the top offensive linemen available. With fan favorite Alabama’s Tyler Booker off the board, Daniel Flick has the Texans selecting Missouri right tackle Armand Membou at pick No. 25.
“Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud took eight sacks in the team’s season-ending playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round,” Flick wrote. “Houston’s biggest issues are on the interior, but Membou can play both inside and outside—he’s athletic enough to block on the move and strong enough to finish when he gets there. Membou, who turns 21 in late March, didn’t allow a sack or quarterback hit in 410 pass-blocking snaps this season.”
No reason that Armand Membou should make it out of the first round pic.twitter.com/d3NW6APbMA
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) December 17, 2024
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.
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. Membou, who could compete with 2024 second-round pick Blake Fisher for reps at right tackle, fits the mold.
