Building a Wall for Stroud: Texans Eye Josh Simmons in Kiper’s Mock Draft

Few quarterbacks faced as much pressure as C.J. Stroud did during the 2024 season. Sacked 52 times, pressured on 240 dropbacks, and enduring the fourth-highest pressure rate in the league at 38.6 percent, it was a challenging sophomore campaign. To address this glaring issue, Mel Kiper projects Josh Simmons, an Ohio State tackle, to the Houston Texans in his latest mock draft.

Immediate Need: Right Guard

Protecting C.J. Stroud is critical to the Texans’ success in 2025. This past season, the offensive line struggled to provide consistent protection, especially against tougher competition. The interior offensive line, in particular, was a problem area, with left guard seeing major inconsistency until Tytus Howard moved over to stabilize the position. This shift allowed rookie Blake Fisher to start at right tackle, which improved the line but didn’t solve all the issues. Veteran right guard Shaq Mason showed signs of regression, and while Juice Scruggs filled in admirably at times. The coaching staff ultimately reverted to Mason for the Divisional Round against the Chiefs, which by most accounts was a mistake.

As a result, significant uncertainty remains at right guard—and across the entire interior line. Complicating matters, Tytus Howard is not viewed as a long-term solution at guard. In the short term, Josh Simmons could potentially compete for a tackle spot. However, Kiper believes Simmons might also provide a solution at guard, addressing one of the Texans' most pressing needs.

Long-Term Potential

Josh Simmons is regarded as one of the most talented tackles in this draft class. Injury concerns are likely the only reason he might still be available when the Texans pick. Standing at 6’5” and weighing 310 pounds, Simmons possesses the ideal size and length for a tackle. His freakish athleticism allows him to handle pass rushers effectively on an island. He also has significant power in the run game and excels at reaching the second level, helping create explosive plays for running backs.

This skill set could benefit the Texans, who were league average in rushing production primarily due to the savvy of Joe Mixon. However, they ranked second-worst in the NFL in run-stuff rate (21 percent) and run success rate (34.1 percent). Simmons’ athleticism also makes him a valuable asset in the screen game. Adding a talent like Simmons aligns perfectly with the Texans' offensive philosophy under Bobby Slowik and DeMeco Ryans.

While the Texans don’t have an immediate need at tackle, given their current contract situations, Simmons offers flexibility. Tytus Howard’s long-term position remains uncertain, and the team has shown no interest in playing Blake Fisher at guard. Simmons could compete for the right tackle position immediately and potentially transition to left tackle when Laremy Tunsil’s contract expires.

The Bigger Picture

When your quarterback has been hit as frequently as C.J. Stroud, reinforcing the offensive line becomes a draft priority. The Texans’ struggles in the run game, coupled with the physical style of play DeMeco Ryans envisions for the team, underscore the importance of upgrading the offensive line. Josh Simmons has the potential to address these issues long-term and become a cornerstone for the Texans' offensive success.

If Simmons can stay healthy and reach his potential, he could be the key to transforming the Texans' offensive line into a strength and securing the protection C.J. Stroud needs to thrive.

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