Tania Ganguli, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Mel Kiper Jr.'s Texans mock draft pick unmoved by this week's news

This year's draft is deep in Collinses. In his third mock draft, and second since the offseason began, Mel Kiper mocks an SEC offensive lineman to the Houston Texans.

That would be LSU's La'El Collins, who played tackle in college, but has been projected as an NFL guard by some.

Kiper notes that the Texans' situation with Andre Johnson, who has asked to be released, won't change their philosophy of being a physical team hoping to win in the trenches.

I agree that it won't change their philosophy. But the Texans need another starting receiver, and there are several good ones in this draft.

On the other hand, releasing center Chris Myers yesterday means the interior of the Texans' offensive line will get a makeover. It's possible they move Ben Jones over to replace Myers, and rely on 2014 draft pick Xavier Su'a-Filo at guard.

Tackle could become a need if Derek Newton escapes in free agency. The window for pending free agents to be able to talk with other teams opens Saturday, and so far Newton has not re-signed with the Texans. There is still time, and I believe both sides earnestly want to continue together.

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