The Houston Texans went into this offseason looking to upgrade their offensive line, but their work may be far from over. A new “early” mock draft from ESPN’s Matt Miller projects the Texans to further address their front with Florida’s Austin Barber.
Listed at 6-foot-6 and 312 pounds, Barber lands with the Texans’ laps with the No. 21 overall pick of the 2026 draft in Miller’s projection.
Miller noted the Texans underwent a “massive overhaul” up front this offseason.
“The work in finding better protection for C.J. Stroud is far from over,” Miller wrote on June 30. “Barber started 12 games at left tackle last season, showing pro-level starting upside thanks to efficient hand placement in pass protection and ideal quickness for zone running schemes.”
Barber is heading into his fifth season with the Gators.
Notably, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler projected Barber to the Cleveland Browns with the No. 9 pick in his early mock, which would make him a strong value for the Texans at No. 21.
“A good-looking athlete,” Brugler wrote in April. “Barber shows off his range on pulls and climbs, and he is able to torque defenders off balance once he latches. He could interest a team such as the Browns, who have long-term question marks at left and right tackle.
Austin Barber Could Be Critical Next Step for Texans
Barber could be a fit for the Texans, who traded five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil to the Washington Commanders this offseason. They also signed Cam Robinson and Super Bowl champion Trent Brown in free agency.
Arguably most notably, the Texans selected Aireontay Ersery with the No. 48 overall pick of the 2025 draft, their first after a previous trade.
He could compete right away. However, it is unclear if Ersery was the Texans’ first choice.
“Sources say Houston tried a couple of times to trade up for an offensive lineman but could not make it work,” Graziano wrote in May. “It’s possible Ersery shows enough in camp to earn one of the two starting tackle spots.”
Ersery is 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds, though, and could be a better fit at right tackle, which could leave room on the Texans’ draft radar for Barber.
