The Houston Texans have their starters along the offensive line for 2020, but they could use some depth and also heir apparents to right guard Zach Fulton and backups Senio Kelemete and Greg Mancz.
Mark Schofield from the Touchdown Wire compiled his 11-best interior offensive linemen for the 2020 NFL Draft. Based on that list, here are three interior offensive linemen the Texans need to keep an eye on as the draft plays out.
1. LSU’s Damien Lewis
Lewis plays with a chip on his shoulder at 6-2, 327 pounds. It comes with the territory as a JUCO transfer from Northwest Mississippi Community College and playing in the SEC. However, Lewis’ fighter mentality is ingrained in his DNA.
“It started with me when I was young. I played in a flag football league,” Lewis said at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. “It really started early with me. I had a chip on my shoulder ever since Katrina forced me back to my hometown of Canton, Miss. I really had a chip on my shoulder and I felt like I had something to prove.
“I was with my mother and three younger brothers and she almost died. I really felt like I have to do this and I have always had a chip on my shoulder. With me, you’re going to hurt my family, so I always say, ’it is me vs. you. I have to take you out.’”
Lewis has gone against the best defensive lines in college football with Alabama also residing in the SEC West with LSU. Adding Lewis might give the Texans the option to part ways with Fulton in training camp.
2. Fresno State’s Netane Muti
Muti is a smaller school prospect, but adding him would give the Texans someone who would be an asset in the passing game, according to Schofield’s evaluation.
In pass protection, Muti uses his upper body and lower body in concert well, building his house from the insteps of his feet through his hands. He can anchor himself into the turn and use pure strength to wall off a rushing defender. Here is a great example of this showing up on film:
The 6-3, 315-pound offensive lineman would be a gamble because of his injury history and his lack of participation at the NFL Scouting Combine and pro day, which was nixed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
3. Washington’s Nick Harris
Harris played center for the Huskies, which gives him the versatility to play three spots along the interior offensive line. The Texans could generate competition for offensive line depth with a pick such as Harris.
Schofield notes that Harris is not as exemplary in pass protection.
Harris does play with a wide base at times, especially as a pass-blocker, which exposes him to some bull rushing moves and also makes it tougher for him to counter pass rushing moves from more talented defenders. He also gets a bit handsy at times, which is something to watch for. There were times on film when he could have been flagged but did not, and we all know how holding gets called in the NFL.
The Texans may not be able to count on Harris to take a starting job right away, but the 6-1, 302-pound prospect could provide younger, versatile depth behind center Nick Martin and guards Zach Fulton and Max Scharping.
