Texans rebuild offensive line, Bills finish Super Bowl defense in TNF three-round mock draft

Anthony Licciardi

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Texans rebuild offensive line, Bills finish Super Bowl defense in TNF three-round mock draft image

On Thursday, Week 12's action will begin with the Buffalo Bills visiting the Houston Texans. Both have had disappointing starts to varying degrees, with Houston hanging onto the playoffs by a thread and Buffalo losing its grip on its AFC East dynasty.

Yet, the difference in quarterback play -- Josh Allen's continuous pursuit of an MVP and C.J. Stroud still looking to prove himself -- sets the tone for this matchup. The Bills are an Allen hot streak away from the Super Bowl, despite an awful defense. Stroud, armed with one of the league's best defenses, hasn't gotten over the hump.

Ahead of their prime-time matchup, it's worth looking at how they can address these flaws in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Buffalo Bills three-round mock draft

Round 1, Pick 23: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

It would be hyperbolic to say that the Bills can't win a Super Bowl with this defense. By virtue of having a demigod under center, anything is possible. But it would sure be nice if they made life easier for him!

Matt Milano's watch is nearly over, and the spine of this defense is struggling at both linebacker and safety. This is one of the worst run defenses in the league -- particularly troubling with January football in the forecast -- and Styles has checked all the boxes necessary to fill his shoes in Round 1.

A former safety, Styles is an elite athlete who has a track record of making splash plays at the line of scrimmage. In 2025, he's developed his physicality, becoming an even more impactful player against the run. Whether he's filling gaps against the Baltimore Ravens' run game or patrolling the middle of the field in Arrowhead, Styles would be a plug-and-play starter for Buffalo.

Round 2, Pick 56: Jermaine Matthews Jr., CB, Ohio State

Meanwhile, Matthews wouldn't be guaranteed a starting role in Year 1. The Bills just drafted Maxwell Hairston in the first round, and the combination of Christian Benford and Taron Johnson is likely to start in the season opener next year.

However, none of those spots are necessarily iron-clad between injuries and inconsistencies. There's room for Matthews to earn snaps on next year's unit, and his skill set lends itself to production. He has a history of ball production, multiple years of experience in a high-level defense and inside-outside versatility.

Buffalo needs to get younger, and doing so with an athletic player at a valuable position is a good process, even if he's not starting in September.

Round 3, Pick 87: Anto Saka, EDGE, Northwestern

Elsewhere, the Bills can use an injection of talent along the edge. Its investments in the interior are promising, and Greg Rousseau and A.J. Epenesa present as quality run defenders (granted, the latter is a pending free agent).

Joey Bosa is also approaching free agency, opening the door for Buffalo to have an explosive pass rusher follow in his footsteps. Saka isn't terribly productive (12 sacks through nearly three seasons), but his athletic traits are among the best in the class.

Those flashes are enticing, and Buffalo could use him in a rotational role to optimize his production and add potency to its late-game defense.

MORE: Arizona State star Jordyn Tyson injury concern could threaten NFL Draft stock

Houston Texans three-round mock draft

Round 1, Pick 16: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

There is no easier selection in Round 1 than the Texans and an offensive lineman. Fano entered the year in the conversation for OT1 and is one of the few prospects who have tread water up front this fall.

Houston, though, has no answers up front. It may be hesitant to add a left tackle given last offseason's investments, but quality talent is paramount. Adding Fano to start at right tackle would go a long way.

Fano is technically precise, athletic, and well-rounded as a pass protector and run blocker. Stroud's confidence looks shattered, and an offensive line making every play difficult is not tenable. This is priority No. 1, and Fano falling this far is a gift from the football gods, who are clearly fed up with this Texans offense.

Round 2, Pick 39: Chase Bisontis, OG, Texas A&M

They shouldn't stop with one addition. Recent dips into the rookie guard pool have not done Houston well, but Bisontis is likely the best pass protector this class has to offer on the interior.

He's a ready-made starter who has sharpened his iron against elite SEC competition. There is work to be done on early downs, but keeping Stroud upright will take precedence, and there is a narrow range of outcomes for Bisontis' pass pro -- most of them are excellent.

The Texans should be happy to live with the growing pains on the ground if it means Stroud has a clean pocket to work with more often.

Round 2, Pick 47: A'Mauri Washington, DT, Oregon

Washington has earned some first-round hype this season, putting dominant film on tape against the Big Ten. I'm not quite sure I'll get there, making a fringe-top-50 selection easier to swallow.

For all the talent on Houston's defense, the interior defensive line lacks juice, especially long-term.

Washington is athletic for a nose tackle and has some versatility to 1- and 3-tech, even when playing comfortably over 320 pounds. He's immediate impact will come on early downs, improving the run defense and creating opportunities for a lethal duo on the edge.

Round 3, Pick 66: Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington

It feels like every running back but Jeremiyah Love has seen his stock fall in 2025. Coleman has fared well compared to some of the bigger names in this class, and the top of the third round might still be a little rich.

With that said, Joe Mixon may never play another down in Houston. Nick Chubb probably shouldn't, either, after this season. That leaves Woody Marks, who is more of a scat back than a workhorse.

Coleman would complement him well, offering a surprising amount of dynamism in a 225-pound frame. That projects as an improvement over Chubb as an early-down, short-yardage back who doesn't have to be taken off on passing downs, allowing Houston to be more deceptive with its deployment in the backfield.