The Texans did the unthinkable in the Nick Caserio era: they stayed at both of their first two picks and didn't move up in the draft.
Houston selected offensive tackle Blake Fisher with their second pick in the draft at No. 59 overall. There was heavy pushback to the conversation about the Texans needing to add an offensive tackle at the position in the draft. The case has been clear for it and Fisher is the perfect selection for their needs.
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Fisher was the No. 54 prospect on my top 100 list. If you watched him and his bookend, new Chargers offensive tackle Joe Alt, against Ohio State you would come back questioning why one was being considered a top-5 pick and the other a third- or fourth-round prospect by the consensus for the majority of the process.
Texans 2024 NFL Draft grade for Blake Fisher
Fisher has great traits and does everything well. The key for the Texans is to get him to do it consistently. Fisher rolls his hips into run blocks, locks defenders out with his length (34.5-inch arms & 6-foot-11 wingspan) and sticks combo blocks. He can get to the reach block, physically on the down block and even when beat in pass protection he can use length and ability to push past the hoop.
The Texans have Super Bowl aspirations. Those aspirations would quickly crumble if Howard and Tunsil had a setback from their injuries. Whether they miss time due to injury or lack the crispness they need in their return, they now have a talented Plan B in Fisher. They were previously one play away from Charlie Heck and David Sharpe having to step into that role before the draft addition.
TEXANS DRAFT PICKS 2024: Full list of NFL Draft selections for Texans
Current starting tackle Tytus Howard has been placed on injured reserve in three of his five NFL seasons. Failing to have a plan B would have been a rookie mistake for Caserio and Ryans. The Texans can cut Howard with a post-June 1st designation after the start of the 2025 NFL season if needed. While they hope they don't have to move on from the former first-round pick, they have options, now.
Grade: B+
