On the surface, the Texans don’t need an offensive tackle. Starting tackles Laremy Tunsil and Tytus Howard both play at a high level when healthy. They brought back backups in Charlie Heck and David Sharpe for insurance.
But that's not enough depth when you dig deeper and factor in the Texans' expectations for the 2024 season. Howard suffered multiple injuries in 2023 with a broken hand and later a knee injury that sent him to injured reserve. It’s the third time in five years Howard has been placed on injured reserve. While the hope is he bounces back in 2024, it can’t be relied on.
Tunsil has missed 15 games in the past three seasons and, like Howard, he only has one full season without any missed games. Heck had 13 starts for the Texans in 2021 but isn’t close to the quality of player that Tunsil and Howard are when they’re right. Sharpe has played on one offensive play in the past two seasons.
The Texans need to add a young, cheap, offensive tackle that prevents a sharp decline in play if Tunsil or Howard were to miss time in 2024.
Here are three offensive tackles that they could target in the second round.
Full draft target breakdowns: WR | RB | TE | DB | DT | EDGE | LB
Texans 2024 NFL draft OT targets
Kingsley Suamataia, BYU
Measurables: 6-foot-5 | 326 pounds | 34-inch arms | 6-foot-10 wingspan | 10.5-inch hands
Combine numbers: 5.04 40-yard dash | 1.74 10-yard split | 28-inch vertical | 9-foot-2 broad
Suamataia is the cousin of Lions stud tackle Penei Sewell. I mention it as there is a parallel in their games more than bloodlines. Sewell was highly touted coming out of college but needed to polish up the rough areas in his game. He quickly did so as a rookie.
Suamataia shows similar potential in the ability to fix his flaws. He made the biggest jump in growth of any offensive tackle in this class from 2022 to 2023. The growth will mean the Texans would have to select him at pick No. 42 as that’s as deep as he would fall in this draft.
Suamataia shocks defensive ends with his punch, has a long first step to reach blocks and can get to and stick second-level blocks.
Blake Fisher, Notre Dame
Measurables: 6-foot-6 | 310 pounds | 34.5-inch arms | 6-foot-11 wingspan | 10-inch hands
Combine numbers: 5.20 40-yard dash | 1.82 10-yard split | 28-inch vertical | 9-foot-6 broad | 7.76 3-cone | 4.73 short shuttle
Fisher hasn’t received the admiration that his teammate, Joe Alt, has in the lead-up to the draft. It’s puzzling to see that Alt is being considered worthy of a top-5 pick in this draft while Fisher is being mentioned as a third- or fourth-round prospect.
When you watch the Fighting Irish’s bookend offensive tackles, Alt and Fisher, in their battle against Ohio State, you would have a hard time explaining the mass difference in draft stocks as Alt was the one who showed issues with the Buckeyes as Fisher took it all in stride.
Fisher’s issue is consistency as he’ll have matchups that he struggles with and his technique and form goes out the window. Mainly, Fisher showed issues against Clemson’s edge pass rusher Xavier Thomas’ quick get-off on the snap. However, if a prospect shows you the ability to routinely do something like Fisher does in so many areas, it’s on his NFL positional coach to get him to play to that ability every snap. He shouldn’t make it out of the second round and the Texans would be wise to select him with pick No. 59.
Jordan Morgan, Arizona
Measurables: 6-foot-5 | 311 pounds | 33-inch arms | 6-foot-9.5 wingspan | 11-inch hands
Combine numbers: 5.05 40-yard dash | 1.70 10-yard split | 28-inch vertical | 9-foot-2 broad
Morgan is fun to watch and a fit for a zone-blocking scheme but needs to have a ton of areas polished up. His value has been rising with some mentioning that he could go late in the first round or early in the second round. That’s a little rich due to his current flaws but at pick No. 59 and definitely if he makes it to pick No. 86, the Texans should kick the tires on adding his potential for insurance purposes to their tackle group.
His movement skills are what’s enticing about him. He’s quick to get to the reach block, displays a solid combo block and great running in space. He’ll show an effective punch at times but at this point is inconsistent with it.
I mentioned he’s flawed and there are a lot of areas that need improvement. His technique is poor as he engulfs defensive ends by wrapping his arms around them. Morgan drops head before contact when he’s out front in space and will miss badly. He gives up his chest and has no anchor versus this attack. Morgan also lacks awareness and in his current state can lead the league in holding penalties. Lastly, Morgan is hurt by less-than-desirable arm length.
Who will the Texans draft?
Suamataia could surprise and be a late first-round pick as teams look at his growth as a sign of what’s to come at the NFL level. Morgan is a bit too raw for what the Texans need in 2024 if called upon.
Houston will have a lot of options to consider at pick No. 59 and could wait and see if Fisher lasts until their next selection at pick No. 86. The value that he could provide behind the Texans top tackles could lead them to pull the trigger at No. 59. Regardless, Fisher should be a major consideration for the Texans.
