After a year of struggles on the offensive line, Nick Caserio must build a new interior unit if the Houston Texans plan on keeping C.J. Stroud healthy in 2025.
Free agency is one way to add in a proven guard or potential center, but the draft might provide more stability for the long term at one position.
The Texans aren’t in a perfect spot to build around Stroud after the line allowed the third-most sacks in 2024. They currently have just over $25 million in cap space and still are awaiting to find out their draft positioning entering their wild-card round matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday.
Things should change before the Super Bowl, but the Texans are projected to pick 19th overall come April 25 in Green Bay at Lambeau Field. In a new mock draft from CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson, the Texans turn away from the offensive line and swing big at bettering the ground game.
Boise State running back and Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty falls outside the top 15 but lands in place for Houston to shore up the rushing attack for years to come.
Is Ashton Jeanty a luxury pick? That depends; were Bijan Robinson or Jahmyr Gibbs luxury picks? Because Jeanty is that type of impact back. He hasn’t been used nearly as much in the pass game, but that doesn’t mean he can’t do it. – Ryan Wilson
If the Texans can shore up their offensive line in free agency, Jeanty’s addition wouldn’t be an unwelcome one. Pro Bowler Joe Mixon is coming off another 1,000-yard season, but he also missed three games with an ankle injury.
ASHTON JEANTY TO THE HOUSE!!!!!
@BroncoSportsFB pic.twitter.com/KAvMXfbUDh
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 5, 2024
A running back’s lifespan differs in each offensive formation. Mixon could remain a healthy leading rusher for another year, but he’s averaging 248 carries in a season and turns 30 this offseason.
How much is left in the tank for 2026 and beyond? It’s a problem that solves itself with the arrival of Jeanty, who ranks second all-time behind Hall of Famer Barry Sanders in single-season rushing yards and averaged 7.0 yards a carry en route to a College Football Playoff appearance.
Stroud’s development remains a focal point of the Texans’ offeseason. That starts by alleviating the pressure off him to be the team’s top option.
Sometimes, pressure comes when different forms. For the Texans, giving Stroud a stable run game might be as profitable as making sure the offensive line is steady.