Draft analysts are on the right track when they mock Evan Neal and Ikem Ekwonu to the Houston Texans. However, the specifics are still in need of fine-tuning as the Texans already have their bookends solved with Laremy Tunsil and Tytus Howard, who isn’t going back inside to play guard.
If Houston wants to get younger along their interior offensive line, there is a Wake Forest product who may be able to help.
According to Anthony Treash from Pro Football Focus, Zach Tom is a possible day two prospect in the 2022 NFL draft who has the potential to develop into a dependable starting guard.
Tom was quietly one of the best pass-protectors in college football last season. As a matter of fact, the Wake Forest Demon Deacon led all FBS tackles in pass-block grade for the season, allowing just 13 pressures in 14 starts, including zero to Jermaine Johnson II in their Week 3 showdown.
Tom is going to end up on the interior at the NFL level where he spent his first few years on campus before moving to left tackle in 2020. He’s already an advanced pass-protector and is a natural at using his hands independently. After a stellar collegiate career, Tom proceeded to light up the Scouting Combine. Don’t be surprised if he becomes a high-quality starter at the NFL level despite likely ending up a late Day 2 prospect.
Tom would be going against the likes of Max Scharping, Carson Green, Justin McCray, and A.J. Cann for a starting job. Even if Tom weren’t able to wrest a starting job in his rookie season, he would be able to develop to provide Houston a replacement for Scharping, who enters the last year of his rookie deal in 2022.
The Texans have three picks on day two with Nos. 37 (Round 2), 68 (Round 3), and 80 (Round 3) overall.
