The Houston Texans could trade up in the 2019 NFL Draft to secure a franchise left tackle to their roster.
Mock draft season is always fun and with the start of the 2019 NFL Draft a couple days away, the Houston Texans are getting ready to make a huge decision affecting the future of their franchise for years to come.
The Texans currently hold the 23rd overall selection in the draft, and in his one and only mock draft, Peter King of NBC Sports says the Texans could be trading up in the draft to gain the offensive lineman they need to protect franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson.
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In his Football Morning in America column on Monday, King predicted in his mock draft the Texans would trade up to the 17th overall selection with the New York Giants in exchange for the 23rd overall pick and the 55th overall pick to select Washington State offensive tackle Andre Dillard. King wrote the following in his FMIA column about Dillard:
"“Dillard’s the top tackle on Houston’s board, from what I hear, and teams think he’s got a chance to be a good left tackle.”"
This could be a scenario which could happen or the Texans could wait six more selections and see who is still available. This year the NFL Draft has some quality offensive tackles available. If the Texans wait and see, they could still have two second round selections and continue to add to their roster that way as well.
It is a tough and interesting process for the Texans as they do need all the help they can get on the offensive line, but again, like King wrote in his article, the Texans could get the top offensive tackle in this draft by making such a trade.
Whatever the Texans decide, they must address the offensive line the upcoming three-day draft process as Watson can’t be pressured and sacked as much as he was last season. Watson was alone sacked 65 times including the playoffs.
Watson will be entering what will be his third season in the NFL, plus add that with all of the firepower which surrounds the quarterback offensively, such as his wide receiver trio of DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller and Keke Coutee, those four could be a dangerous group of players for the opposing defense.
Though it is tough to trade a second round pick to move up six spots in the draft, King’s scenario is very understandable and would make for an exciting draft night on Thursday. However the first round turns out, the Texans should be drafting a player which will help the team instantly once Week 1 arrives.