HOUSTON, Texas — September 8, 2026.
The Houston Texans have a compelling reason to keep evaluating the offensive-line market with Week 1 approaching.
Houston continues searching for ways to protect C.J. Stroud and strengthen an offensive line that has undergone significant change.
Now, one of the largest and most versatile offensive linemen still available could represent another option.
Former first-round pick Mekhi Becton remains a free agent, giving Houston the opportunity—if it chooses—to evaluate a veteran with experience at both guard and tackle.
At 6-foot-7 and 363 pounds, Becton immediately brings an imposing physical presence.
His size alone makes him one of the most unusual offensive linemen still available this late in the offseason.
But what makes Becton particularly intriguing for Houston is not simply how large he is.
It is where he can play.
Becton entered the NFL primarily as a left tackle after the New York Jets selected him with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
He started 13 games during his rookie season and quickly demonstrated why evaluators were fascinated by his combination of length, strength and athleticism.
Injuries eventually interrupted that development.
A major knee injury limited Becton to one appearance in 2021, and he missed the entire 2022 season.
His career eventually found new life in Philadelphia.
The Eagles signed Becton in 2024 and moved him inside to guard.
The transition proved successful.
Becton became a starter and helped Philadelphia win a Super Bowl championship.
That positional flexibility is precisely what could interest Houston.
The Texans currently have veteran Wyatt Teller inside, rookie Keylan Rutledge, tackles Aireontae Ersery and Blake Fisher, and recently acquired tackle Nate Thomas among their offensive-line options.
Houston has also already dealt with injury concerns.
The Texans placed tackles Braden Smith and Sam Hagen on injured reserve on September 1, making additional depth on the edge particularly relevant.
That context makes Becton easier to understand as a possible fit.
His background at tackle could provide Houston another experienced option on the edge.
His successful season at guard gives the Texans another possible solution inside.
One player could potentially cover several emergency situations.
For Houston, that versatility carries obvious value.
The Texans have invested significant resources in improving the protection around Stroud.
Adding another veteran would not necessarily mean replacing one of their young linemen.
It could simply mean creating another layer of insurance.
Becton’s massive frame could also fit an offense looking to become more physical in the running game.
At 363 pounds, he can create difficult matchups against smaller defensive linemen.
At the same time, his tackle background gives him experience working against NFL edge rushers.
That combination is rare.
It also gives Houston flexibility.
If an injury occurs at tackle, Becton has played there extensively.
If a problem develops at guard, he has already demonstrated that he can move inside.
That type of position flexibility becomes increasingly valuable once the season begins and practice time becomes limited.
There is still considerable risk.
Becton’s 2025 season with the Chargers was not nearly as impressive as his championship season in Philadelphia.
He played 15 regular-season games and made 14 starts before Los Angeles released him in March.
His injury history must also be considered.
Those concerns are part of the reason a player with his size, draft pedigree and championship résumé remains available.
But for Houston, that could also make him a potentially affordable late-summer evaluation.
The Texans would not need to view Becton as an automatic starter.
They could view him as a low-risk veteran depth option with guard-tackle flexibility.
If he performed well, Houston could suddenly have another experienced blocker available when injuries occur.
If he could not recapture his previous form, the organization would not need to construct the offensive line around him.
A workout would allow Houston to make that determination firsthand.
The Texans could evaluate his conditioning.
His knee.
His lateral movement.
His ability to anchor.
And whether he could still transition smoothly between guard and tackle.
A contract would not be guaranteed.
But the football logic is clear.
Houston wants to keep Stroud upright.
Becton offers massive size, NFL starting experience, a Super Bowl ring and the ability to play multiple offensive-line positions.
For a Texans team attempting to make another postseason run, experienced protection can never be dismissed.
At 6-foot-7 and 363 pounds, Becton could provide Houston with something every franchise quarterback appreciates: another massive layer of protection between him and the pass rush.
