Texans give CJ Stroud what he needs most in a new 2025 NFL Mock Draft by trying to fix their biggest mistake of the offseason
The Houston Texans have had an interesting offseason. After a year in which they didn't protect franchise quarterback CJ Stroud well enough, they acquired players to improve their roster, including some offensive linemen. The confusing part, though, is that the offensive line doesn't really feel like it has gotten better. They've signed/traded for players who have struggled […]
The Houston Texans have had an interesting offseason. After a year in which they didn't protect franchise quarterback CJ Stroud well enough, they acquired players to improve their roster, including some offensive linemen.
The confusing part, though, is that the offensive line doesn't really feel like it has gotten better. They've signed/traded for players who have struggled as starters in recent years, and they elected to trade away their best offensive lineman, left tackle Laremy Tunsil. In a new A to Z Sports 2025 NFL mock draft, they try to improve the unit with a versatile player who would give the team options come training camp.
Texans land North Dakota State versatile lineman Grey Zabel in a new mock draft
"Houston's offensive line overhaul isn't done yet. With the center position needing more natural ability than what Jarrett Patterson can give, Grey Zabel is the perfect fit and value. The athletic run-mauler can be Houston's version of Travis Frederick for a decade."
– A new A to Z Sports mock draft
North Dakota State's Grey Zabel has had an impressive draft season to date. It began with a strong week in Mobile, Alabama, at the 2025 Senior Bowl. There, he worked out at every single position on the offensive line and excelled at each one in practice. People in attendance left the week feeling pretty confident that Zabel played himself into being a first-round pick come April.
Though the Texans moved Tunsil in the offseason, they have made moves on the offensive line by trading for guard Ed Ingram and signing tackle Cam Robinson and guard Laken Tomlinson. However, all three have had serious struggles on the field recently.
In my opinion, I think Zabel's best fit in the NFL is to play center, and I think he would be an upgrade to current Texans starter Jarrett Patterson. But if they selected him, they could allow him to compete at every spot and give the team the best chance to get their best five offensive linemen on the field for Week one. And at the end of the day, that is what Stroud needs most as he attempts to bounce back in year three after experiencing a sophomore slump in 2024.
Houston Texans keep their offseason momentum rolling into the second wave of free agency with two huge signings
Loading up before the draft.
The Houston Texans’ free agency has made their 2025 NFL Draft strategy about as painfully obvious as you can imagine
Draft plans for the Houston Texans have become obvious.
