Despite having their two starting tackles under contract for the next three seasons, the Houston Texans selected another one with the 59th overall pick in the NFL Draft on Friday night.
The Texans drafted offensive tackle Blake Fisher out of Notre Dame, likely to compete for the swing tackle position as a rookie. Houston also brought back fifth-year pro Charlie Heck on a one-year deal and David Sharpe to compete for the spot.
"I think we've always been a big believer you can't have enough tackles on your football team," Texans general manager Nick Caserio said after Day 2 of the draft. "You need three tackles, three or four tackles, that you feel can go out there and play. I'd say in Blake [Fisher’s] case, 6'5", 315 pounds, long arms, plays strong, plays physical. Played against good competition. Well-coached with the offensive line coach – former offensive line coach at the University of Wisconsin. Played with ‘J.P.’ [Jarett Patterson] I mean, I think our program will benefit him.
"You can't have enough tackles in your building. I mean, right now we have really four, including Charlie [Heck] and David Sharpe, who signed. Blake is another tackle. We're going to carry probably four tackles. You're going to need three. You all have seen his play. At some point they're going to have to play. Even going back to '22, we had to play multiple tackles. ‘LT’ didn't play, had to move Tytus over. Charlie played. You're going to need tackles. Can't have enough good ones on your team."
Fisher started his career at Notre Dame playing left tackle, then moved to the right side. In 2021, he was the first true freshman in Notre Dame history to start the season opener at left tackle. He then suffered a meniscus injury in the first half of the game, before returning to start the final game of the season at right tackle.
Fisher started all 13 games at right tackle for Notre Dame in 2022, and 12 games in 2023 before opting out of the Sun Bowl to prepare for the draft.
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