It’s never too early to look at the future in the NFL, and with 10 months standing in the way of the 2027 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans have some work to do.
After a promising offseason, the Texans should be thinking about a Super Bowl. They return the No. 1 defense with key assets to get them over the edge, plus a revamped offensive line and run game with key veterans like All-Pro guard Wyatt Teller and Pro Bowl running back David Montgomery in the mix.
So, is that enough to get Houston over its divisional-round woes and into conference championship weekend? Actually, no. At least not according to the way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft from Pro Football Network.
PFN has Houston missing out on the divisional round and losing in the wild-card round weekend. With that in mind, it’s clear that C.J. Stroud could be missing a piece or two of the offensive personnel, so the publication has the Texans upgrading their No. 2 receiver position by selecting Indiana’s Nick Marsh at pick No. 21.
A main reason for the receiver to be in play? Tank Dell’s injury. Even after being cleared to partake in drills, PFN does not see a healthy Dell being effective in the pros anymore.
“The severity of Tank Dell’s injury may have put the Houston Texans in a pickle, given that the former 2023 draft pick has yet to return to the field and there are questions about whether he’ll be the same player once he does,” PFN wrote. “If he doesn’t look like himself, where does that leave Houston?”
Marsh, who spent two seasons at Michigan State, has big-play potential. Last season as the Spartans’ No. 1 weapon, the 6-foot-3 receiver averaged over 12 yards per catch while totaling 59 receptions for just under 600 yards and six touchdowns.
Keep in mind this was with a constant carousel of underwhelming quarterback play. In Bloomington under Curt Cignetti, Marsh should expect more stability, similar to first-round pick Omar Cooper Jr. while working with No. 1 overall pick and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza.
“Transferring to Indiana, Nick Marsh has a ton of buzz around his name, as fans expect the former Michigan State receiver to take a huge leap now that he’ll be under coach Curt Cignetti,” PFN wrote. “If he can maximize his potential with the Hoosiers, Marsh has a very good chance of going in the first round next year.”
To read the full mock draft and see which other prospects could be in play, click here.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans land future big-play WR from Big Ten in new 2027 NFL Mock Draft
Reporting by Cole Thompson, Texans Wire / Texans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Cole Thompson, Texans Wire | USA TODAY Network
