Texans Reportedly 'Aggressively' Trying to Trade Up in 2025 NFL Draft, Eye OL Help

After watching franchise quarterback C.J. Stroud get sacked the second-most times in the league, the Houston Texans are working hard to land one of the top offensive linemen in the 2025 NFL draft, according to The Ringer's Todd McShay.

"I have it on good authority that Houston is aggressively trying to move up in the first round — I'm hearing for [Texas' Kelvin Banks Jr.] or [North Dakota State's Grey Zabel]," McShay reported. "If they end up staying here, they have a tough choice to make. I don't think Ohio State OT Josh Simmons fits the makeup that DeMeco Ryans is looking for in his offensive line overhaul. Josh Conerly Jr. would be in consideration, as would Tyler Booker, who has elite football character and Alabama ties that Ryans likes."

The Texans have already overhauled their line to some extent by trading away Laremy Tunsil and Kenyon Green. Dealing Tunsil when he earned a third straight Pro Bowl nod was seemingly counterproductive, but his presence wasn't enough to prevent the line from being middling in 2024. He was also a penalty magnet.

As McShay laid out, Houston isn't in a great position in the first round to address its offensive front.

In Bleacher Report's most recent mock draft, LSU's Will Campbell and Missouri's Armand Membou both went in the top 10. Banks was off the board at No. 16 and triggered a run, with Booker and Zabel going right after.

If Houston stays at No. 25, then the pickings might be somewhat slim in terms of blockers who are good enough to warrant a Day 1 selection.