Battle Red Blog
The Texans and their 2-3 record currently hold the 11th spot in the 2026 NFL Draft. Given that five of their next six games come against teams with winning records, it wouldn’t be surprising if Houston ends up picking around this same spot in next year’s draft.
In a recent “way too early mock draft” by ESPN, the Texans are forced to go back to the well and draft another high-end offensive lineman to bolster a struggling offensive line. For all their offensive line woes, the Texans have drafted an offensive lineman in the first two rounds each of the last four years. ESPN predicts they will continue that trend next April by drafting a Francis Mauigoa from the University of Miami.
QB C.J. Stroud’s time to throw has decreased each season since taking over in Houston and it’s impacting his confidence and play. Unfortunately, Houston must this dire need and can’t continue to put bandaids over the issue.
Mauigoa is a 6’6”, 315 pound junior from Samoa and plays with a technical savviness that Houston clearly needs. ESPN’s Jordan Reid wrote about the pick in his first mock draft of the year.
Mauigoa is a strong, dependable protector, but there are varying opinions on where he’ll play in the NFL. Some scouts think he’s best suited as a guard, but others peg him as a true right tackle, where his 0.7% pressures allowed ranks seventh in the FBS.
The three-year starter at right tackle was named as a midseason All-American by CBS Sports for his stellar play at right tackle for the Hurricanes. He was also a unanimous freshman All-American.
The Texans biggest need is at left guard where former 2023 second-rounder Juice Scruggs currently resides. If Mauigoa needs a year inside at guard before popping outside to right tackle, he would be well paired with Tytus Howard who can also play both roles.
While offensive line continues to be the most glaring need, Nick Caserio has never addressed the position with the first pick in the class. Instead, he opts for premium positions: wide receiver (Jayden Higgins), cornerback (Kamari Lassiter, Derek Stingley Jr.), and quarterback (C.J. Stroud and Davis Mills).
If Caserio plans to hold true to his draft tendencies, expect the Texans to focus on other areas of concern such as the running back, tight end, safety, or defensive tackle in the first round. A player such as RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame or TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon would dramatically improve the play at their respective position.
