2025 NFL mock draft: Texans shore up offensive line with Laremy Tunsil replacement

The Houston Texans have been busy transitioning their roster during free agency, most notably coming in the trenches.

Houston is starting fresh with three new starters following the trade of five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil and the release of Shaq Mason. Veteran Cam Robinson should be a stable option as a one-year rental and the same goes for either Ed Ingram or Laken Tomlinson at guard.

Still, Houston must walk out of the draft with at least one new starter at guard or tackle and a quality backup with starting potential down the line.

The 2025 NFL Draft presents an opportunity to find those two spots among the Texans' seven selections, including four in the top 100 and the 25th overall pick. Following the additions of their key veterans in free agency, Houston's draft board is "wide open," which means anything is in play depending on who falls in the Texans' lap.

In a new mock draft from USA Today's Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, the Texans wait to address the interior line while shoring up the outside first. At pick No. 25, Houston finds its long-term Tunsil heir with Ohio State's Josh Simmons.

Had a lot of fun watching Josh Simmons block for runs and screens vs Iowa. He's got a tantalizing blend of speed and power pic.twitter.com/LfNqGZyIZk
— Theo Ash (@TheoAshNFL) March 19, 2025

"Yes, the Texans added both Cam Robinson and Trent Brown to provide some relief at offensive tackle after trading Laremy Tansil. But with both veterans on one-year prove-it deals, there's still no long-term protection plan in place for C.J. Stroud," Middlehurst-Schwartz wrote. "As Simmons continues to work his way back from a torn patellar tendon suffered in October, he could take a backseat to the more established presences before eventually taking over and becoming the fixture required to settle this front."

At first glance, it's a move that shouldn't come as a complete surprise considering that Houston needs a long-term fix at left tackle. Robinson, a nine-year veteran from Jacksonville and Minnesota, struggled in pass protection over the past two seasons and has only played in all 17 games twice during his career.

Even though Robinson and newly acquired Trent Brown are stable options for a season, that shouldn't stop the Texans from further improving the offensive line if given the chance. Simmons started over 40 games during his college career at San Diego State and Ohio State. A right tackle by trade, he started the first five games for the Buckeyes on the left side in 2024 before a leg injury sidelined him for the remainder of the year.

#OhioState OT Josh Simmons. 6’5, 311.

Excellent fluidity. Natural athlete. Great punch timing + hand placement. Plus in the 2nd level/screen game. ++ Stunt recognition.

Top-25 player imo. pic.twitter.com/TQXe8NHchD
— Kyron Samuels (@kyronsamuels) February 5, 2025

When active, Simmons proved he was a physically imposing, loose and powerful run blocker. He showed dramatic improvements as a pass protector, showing off his ability to make first meaningful contact with sticky hands while pushing pass rushers away from the backfield.

Despite coming off a season-ending injury, Simmons could be the top offensive lineman on the board. He should become the new fan favorite to head down to Houston if the Texans stay at No. 25. If Houston's high on finding a stable option on the left side, it could be an easy pick to help keep C.J. Stroud upright after a disastrous 2025 season in pass protection.

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: 2025 NFL Draft: Texans find Laremy Tunsil's replacement in new mock