Top 8 Offensive Line Draft Targets for the Houston Texans

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Which linemen should catch Houston’s eye?

The state of the Houston Texans’ offensive line has been the story of the offseason. The state of the line is a point of discussion every offseason, but it was such a controversy this year that I wrote a novella’s worth about it. General Manager Nick Caserio and company have taken big swings in free agency via trades and free agent contracts, and it won’t be until this winter that we’ll know whether or not those swings were home runs. But, nearly everyone agrees that the work on the O-line remains incomplete, so the upcoming NFL Draft has become prime intrigue for Texans fans the world over as the albatross continues to hang around Caserio’s neck.

Whoever they end up drafting in the first and second rounds, most (including me) will be expecting an offensive lineman. But…who could that be? With Kenyon Green, Shaq Mason, and Laremy Tunsil gone, holes abound at multiple locations – what position will they target first? Well, fortunately for Houston, there’s a lot of good options at both guard and tackle in the 2025 NFL Draft, so they’ll be able to pick their poison once Houston is on the clock at pick #25. But, the Texans have more picks than that! Here’s a run down of their current selections in the 2025 NFL Draft:

Round 1, No. 25
Round 2, No. 58
Round 3, No. 79 (from Dolphins through Eagles and Commanders)
Round 3, No. 89
Round 5, No. 166 (from Bills)
Round 7, No. 236 (From Broncos though Eagles and Commanders)
Round 7, No. 241

Originally, I was just going to list my top five linemen in this class that I would like Houston to draft with their first or second-round picks. But, there’s just so many mid-round prospects that I’m intrigued by that I couldn’t keep this list down to just five top prospects. So, I’ve thrown in three more players onto this list that I think could also be targets for the Texans once we’ve entered the third and fourth rounds! Why stop at five when eight is right there?!

So, without further ado, here’s eight offensive lineman that I believe could be a boon for the Houston Texans, ranging from the best of the best to the mid-round sleepers.

Note: Some of the best offensive linemen of this draft, such as Josh Simmons, Kelvin Banks, Will Campbell, and Armand Membou are not on this list because I do not expect them to be available once Houston is on the clock):

Honorable Mentions: Charles Grant (William & Mary), Emery Jones Jr. (LSU), Dylan Fairchild (Georgia), Caleb Rogers (Texas Tech)

8. Logan Brown, Kansas – T

Height: 6’ 6”
Weight: 311 lbs.
Arm: 33 7/8”
Hand: 10”
10-Yard Split: 1.75s; Vertical Jump: 32”; Bench Press: 26 Reps
2024 Statistics: 618 snaps at RT; 82.5 PFF (78.0 PBLK, 82.2 RBLK); 0 Sacks; 5 Penalties

Logan Brown isn’t nearly the polished tackle like the players you’ll see higher on this list. But, when taken in the context that Brown could be a target for the Texans in the third or fourth round, he suddenly looks like a steal! With just one full season under his belt, Brown has already put together multiple highlight-reel performances, like his TCU and Kansas State games. He’s quick to get his hands involved in pass protection and has good lateral speed for an inexperienced tackle. He also plays like a bat out of hell in run-blocking, for better and for worse.

Brown definitely has a long way to go to become a contributor on the Texans, but you can see the NFL traits in him when he flashes those hands and that speed. Those traits became more and more apparent as the season went on, as well. I’ve always been a little biased towards these developmental players with some promise, anyways, so I can’t help but encourage the Texans to take a flier on Brown if he is still available past pick #80.

7. Jonah Savaiinaea, Arizona – T

Height: 6’ 4”
Weight: 324 lbs.
Arm: 33 7/8”
Hand: 10 1/4”
10-Yard Split: 1.72s; Vertical Jump: 29”; Bench Press: N/A
2024 Statistics: 738 snaps at RT and LT; 75.9 PFF (82.7 PBLK, 64.2 RBLK); 4 Sacks; 1 Penalty

Jonah Savaiinaea is absolutely massive. At 6’ 3”, 324 lbs., Savaiinaea is a unit of a tackle, but one that is about as agile as you’d expect. Very reliant on his length and size, many have pushed Savaiinaea into the guard position, and that’s where he should be in the NFL. The problem will be his heavy feet, which could really expose him at the next level when combined with his lack of bend.

He’s still very, very big and very strong, but I worry about his lack of agility hurting his potential. Fortunately, he’s got some sticky hands and a mighty punch, so he’s not without professional-grade tools. Savaiinaea will likely going somewhere around the second or third round, but due to his problems in agility and drive-blocking, I’d wait till the third round.

6. Marcus Mbow, Purdue – G

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: NOV 02 Northwestern at Purdue

Height: 6’ 4”
Weight: 303 lbs.
Arm: 32”
Hand: 10 1/2”
10-Yard Split: N/A; Vertical Jump: N/A; Bench Press: N/A
2024 Statistics: 666 Snaps at RT; 74.0 PFF (78.7 PBLK, 68.0 RBLK); 3 Sacks; 7 Penalties

Mbow is a raw, talented prospect that was one of the few bright spots on a rough Purdue team in 2024. Even though he spent all of that season at right tackle, I’d rather see him at guard due to his shorter arms and previous experience at that position. Most agree that guard is his spot in the NFL, but that’s where consensus seems to end with Mbow.

Mbow exhibits an impressive amount of speed and reaction time for a person of his size, and has far more active legs than most tackles. However, he isn’t very strong at all and was effectively bullied by some of his Big Ten competition, so I worry about how he’ll adjust to the NFL. His speed and awareness makes him an ideal zone-blocking interior lineman, so he could be the impactful run-blocker that the Texans are looking for…as long as he’s able to cut down on holding onto his defenders a little too long. That lack of strength is a scar on his tape, and makes me believe he’s more a third rounder than second rounder.

5. Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon – T

Height: 6’ 5”
Weight: 311 lbs.
Arm: 33 1/2”
Hand: 10 3/8”
10-Yard Split: 1.71s; Vertical Jump: 34.5”; Bench Press: N/A
2024 Statistics: 818 Snaps at LT; 79.5 PFF (56.0 PBLK, 81.9 RBLK); 1 Sack; 4 Penalties

Here’s a tackle I can really get behind! Josh Conerly Jr. was a two-year starter at left tackle for the Oregon Ducks, an unsung hero of their prolific 2023 and 2024 seasons with Dillon Gabriel and Bo Nix under center. He’s got very active feet, likely reminiscent of his basketball background, and his punch is something to be feared. He’s a lengthy, talented tackle that has plenty of space for growth, so I can see why so many draft analysts love him, but he’s not a perfect prospect.

Fellow Battle Red Blog draft junkie and offensive line specialist Kenneth L. did a full review of Conerly back in March, and he dug into the Big Ten Championship game where Conerly lined up against none other than Abdul Carter,

“Across the board, Conerly gets beaten whenever Carter dips his shoulder. Carter disrupts multiple plays by going around the edge and forcing the QB up in the pocket. Conerly does a good job of controlling Carter, but to say he “won the day” would be the furthest stretch of all time. There’s moments where Conerly’s footwork and ability to keep his feet down when in contact stymie Carter’s movement, but there’s equal moments when Carter makes an inside move that stuns Conerly.” – Kenneth L.

Conerly has the size and length to be an effective NFL tackle, but he’s going to need to get stronger. He needs to learn to use his full weight to drive defenders away from the pocket or upfield during rushing plays, combining his great footwork with better strength. If you are willing to bet on this upside, than you have a starting caliber left tackle worthy of being taken 25th overall.

4. Wyatt Milum, West Virginia – G

Kansas Jayhawks v West Virginia Mountaineers

Height: 6’ 6 1/2”
Weight: 313 lbs.
Arm: 32 1/8”
Hand: 10 1/4”
10-Yard Split: 1.84s; Vertical Jump: 30”; Bench Press: N/A
2024 Statistics: 706 Snaps at LT; 91.0 PFF (92.5 PBLK, 89.2 RBLK); 0 Sacks; 5 Penalties

In September 2023, I had the pleasure of getting a front-row seat to the West Virginia vs. Penn State game, each team’s inaugural game of a hotly anticipated 2023 season. As a big PSU fan, I entered that stadium curious about the state of the defensive line (this was before Abdul Carter had become a superstar edge rusher), but of course, still had high expectations. Well, I left that game completely mortified at how effectively West Virginia ran Penn State over, giving big rushing lanes to running back CJ Donaldson Jr. and quarterback Garrett Greene. Every play on defense, my hopes of seeing Carter, Chop Robinson, or Zane Durant wreak havoc shrunk. Time and time again, all I would see was a wall of yellow pants jamming the line of the scrimmage forward like a sponge absorbing water. I crawled out of that stadium more worried about Penn State’s defense that I had been in years, and even though my worries ended up being a bit overblown (Chop Robinson was great that year), two names on West Virginia’s roster stood out in particular: center Zach Frazier, and left tackle Wyatt Milum. Zach Frazier was taken by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft and quickly became a plus starter for them, and after that fateful game I witnessed in September 2023, I want Wyatt Milum in Houston.

He played at left tackle for multiple seasons at West Virginia, but his shorter arms have many analysts projecting him to become a guard in the NFL. As a guard, Milum could be an immediate starter for the Houston Texans, possessing the strength and anchor to clean up on NFL defensive tackles right away. He’s got big hands, an iron grip, and enough agility to make an impact in run-blocking scenarios. It wasn’t a perfect career for him, though, and in 2024, Penn State’s Abdul Carter had his revenge.

Wyatt Milum suffered greatly against the speed of Carter. Maybe it’s his arms or maybe it’s lack of lateral speed, but regardless, this is an element to his play that is a liability – giving more reason to for him to kick in to guard. Overall, he’s not going to blow you away as a run-blocker, and he’s going to make some mistakes in pass blocking here and there, but he’s been a mauler for the Mountaineers for years. I see no reason not to take take him with a third or fourth round selection, if he lasts.

3. Grey Zabel, North Dakota State – G/T/C

Height: 6’ 6”
Weight: 312 lbs.
Arm: 32”
Hand: 9 1/2”
10-Yard Split: N/A; Vertical Jump: 36.5”; Bench Press: 26 Reps
2024 Statistics: 854 Snaps at LT; 90.2 PFF (91.9 PBLK, 84.9 RBLK); 1 Sack; 5 Penalties

For the top three players on this list, I’ve elected to rank three top-tier offensive lineman that are all deserving of being taken at 25th overall by the Houston Texans. These top three spots are virtually interchangeable, and Grey Zabel is first up. Zabel is a big, extremely athletic, and multi-faceted lineman that could be a starter in the NFL at multiple positions if he is able to successfully transition to the big leagues. It’s a big jump to go from the FCS to the NFL, but if Zabel’s now famous Senior Bowl tape is anything to go off of, I think he’ll be more than just fine.

The Senior Bowl was basically Zabel’s coming out party, going from an intriguing day two selection to a near-lock to go in the first round in the span of a week. It was there that he was finally able to show off his uncanny athleticism against NFL-caliber defenders, and he didn’t disappoint. He’s great at mirroring defenders, keeps his hands down until contact is made, and is capable of throwing guys out of the way in the run-game. Here’s what Kenneth L. had to say about Zabel:

”In the Colorado film below, Zabel minimizes space for opposing counter moves in pass protection while still protecting the edge of the line. His kick slide is more efficient than pretty. He keeps his hands extremely low, which avoids hand swipes and loss of leverage. His run game is simply fun film watching; he just pile drives dudes.” – Kenneth L.

North Dakota State linemen isn’t facing premium pass rushers like Ohio State’s line, but the talent here is undeniable. Zabel could plug the Texans’ home at tackle or at guard, making him a big target in the first round.

2. Tyler Booker, Alabama – G

Height: 6’ 5”
Weight: 321 lbs.
Arm: 34 1/2”
Hand: 11”
10-Yard Split: 1.96s; Vertical Jump: 27”; Bench Press: 21 Reps
2024 Statistics: 715 Snaps at LG (77 at LT); 67.4 PFF (87.1 PBLK, 65.4 RBLK); 0 Sacks; 7 Penalties

To all intents and purposes, this player is probably at the top of the Texans front office’s big board. Tyler Booker was a star and a leader for the Alabama Crimson Tide for years, leading the way for both their running backs and quarterback Jalen Milroe. Booker became sort of a usual suspect for that Alabama offense – wherever he went, the ball followed. He’s incredibly effective in the ground game, using his size and power to peel open wide holes.

However, Booker has become something of a contested player in this draft season. There’s a fear that Booker may be unable to play in the NFL due to his disappointing athleticism and very disappointing 10-yard split of 1.96 seconds. Now that everyone is expecting these top interior linemen to be the next Jason Kelce, whenever the athleticism doesn’t match, it’s a major demerit. He’s a baller and a leader unlike few others in this draft, though, and DeMeco Ryans is already going to love him for being a captain at Alabama. Then, once Ryans gets to Booker’s run-blocking tape, he’ll fall head over heels for this guy. He’s a bully in the middle of the field, which is exactly what the Houston Texans need. Booker’s draft stock has been falling recently, but I still expect him to go in the first round. So, if the Texans are eyeing him up as much as I believe they are, they are almost certainly hoping he falls to pick #25.

1. Donovan Jackson, Ohio State – G/T

Height: 6’ 4”
Weight: 315 lbs.
Arm: 33 1/2”
Hand: 9 7/8”
10-Yard Split: N/A; Vertical Jump: N/A; Bench Press: N/A
2024 Statistics: 635 Snaps at LG and LT; 68.5 PFF (61.4 PBLK, 69.3 RBLK); 2 Sacks; 2 Penalties

This is my guy in the 2025 NFL Draft. I’ve been a big fan of Donovan Jackson’s since I began digging into his tape all the way back in February, and my love for him has only grown with time. He is the prototypical NFL interior lineman: huge, strong, impossible to get away from once he’s got hands on you, and he’s got position versatility. A starting guard for Ohio State since 2022, Jackson was called to play left tackle after fellow draft prospect Josh Simmons suffered a season-ending injury against Oregon. Did pushing him outside affect his performance at all? Well, to start he was much worse, but that big dip in performance really only lasted one game – while he was lined up against Abdul Carter when facing Penn State (seems like Carter was the culprit of bad tape for a lot of these great tackles). Besides that single game, Jackson was virtually as good at LT as he was the previous three seasons at LG, his strength and stickiness translating with ease.

Although, you can’t just completely excuse the Penn State game, it did happen, and Donovan Jackson was not good at all. His feet and technique could use some work, and those demerits combined with his lack of arm length really became a problem against the very fast and bendy Carter. He needs to get both of his hands on the target in order to lock them down, and that’s not going to be easy to replicate in the NFL. However, these bad snaps are like finding needles in a haystack with Donovan Jackson, where there is much more good tape than bad.

Even though some may see this as reach, I’d absolutely love if the Texans took Donovan Jackson at pick #25. Many see him as an early second rounder, but he would provide such immediate value to this Texans roster that he is worth reaching for, and also because he will absolutely not be available at pick #58. I fear a significant drop off of quality lineman in between picks #25 and #58, putting Houston – a team in desperate need of a starting lineman from this draft class – in a real bind if they decide to take a receiver or defender with their first round pick. So, considering the potential for a lack of a good option at #58, and the fact that I’d rather avoid trading up or down, I think justification can be made to take Jackson in the first round. Taking him at that spot may look like a reach tomorrow, but it won’t look like a reach when he’s the best guard on the Texans’ roster come Week 10. Even Aaron Wilson agrees with me!

I had a lot of fun watching the tape and reading reviews of all of these linemen; there may not be a clear cut superstar guard or tackle in this class, but there sure is a lot of quality talent to be found in the top 150. Donovan Jackson is my guy, though. If the Houston Texans end up with him, I might just shed tears of joy and I purchase my tickets to Super Bowl LX.

What do you think, though? Did you like my list of the top eight offensive line targets for the Houston Texans, or did I miss some crucial prospects? There are some mighty players I left without coverage, like Emery Jones Jr. or Dylan Fairchild, so there’s plenty of room for disagreement. These eight players have just ended up becoming my personal favorites as I wrapped up my draft work this past week, and now, all eyes turn to Thursday night. Let us know who you’re favorite offensive line prospects are down in the comments below, I’m very curious to hear more opinions on players, like Booker and Savaiinaea, for there is plenty of reason to both like and dislike them as NFL players. Or, maybe you think Houston shouldn’t take an offensive lineman with their first pick, maybe you think they should take a wide receiver…or a running back! I’ll take any draft opinions down in the comments, give me ALL OF THEM!!!!

GO TEXANS!!!