The Houston Texans have been active on draft day under Nick Caserio and there’s a chance more moves could be coming in this weekend’s NFL Draft. SI’s Albert Breer linked to a potential deal that could see them move up from the 25th overall pick on Thursday night and there are few players or picks that could be off limits after Houston moved Laremy Tunsil.
But with Tunsil gone, the Texans have some work to do. Houston has done its best to rebuild an offensive line that allowed 54 sacks and eight more sacks in a divisional round loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Yet, they could still use another piece as a trade target has seemingly become available before the draft.
Saints Decline Trevor Penning’s Option to Make Him Potential Texans Trade Target
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the New Orleans Saints have are declining their fifth-year contract option on offensive tackle Trevor Penning. The decision makes him a pending free agent as he heads into the final year of his rookie contract and opens the door for teams to come calling for a potential trade during the draft.
#Saints GM Mickey Loomis announced that they are picking up the fifth-year option on WR Chris Olave but declining it on OT Trevor Penning, who is now in the contract year.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 23, 2025
Penning was the 19th overall pick in the 2022 draft but had his rookie year derailed by a Lisfranc injury in his right foot. He struggled at left tackle upon his return, allowing 19 pressures on 245 pass-blocking snaps in 2023 but showed improvement when moving to left tackle with 54 pressures on 663 pass-blocking snaps according to Pro Football Focus.
Saints general manager Mickey Loomis didn’t close the door on Penning returning after next season, saying they “expect him to be part of our team going forward.” But the actions speak for themselves and with New Orleans projected to be $25.8 million over the salary cap in 2026, they may be better suited to shopping Penning for a cheaper solution.
The Texans could be on the list as their offensive line makeover continues. Houston signed Cam Robinson in free agency to replace Tunsil at left tackle but the right tackle position is undecided with 2024 second-round pick Blake Fisher expected to fill in. Trading for Penning to take that spot could allow Houston to take an offensive guard such as Alabama’s Tyler Booker in the first round of the draft and use a late-round pick to solidify their offensive line.
The best part is that Houston has recent examples to help facilitate a deal. Joe Thuney was traded from the Kansas City Chiefs to the Chicago Bears for a 2025 fourth-round pick earlier this season and Jonah Jackson was from the Los Angeles Rams to Chicago for a 2025 sixth-round pick the day before. The tackle market is a little complicated with the Texans receiving 2025 third-and seventh-round picks with 2026 second- and fourth-round selections but Penning should be cheaper considering his track record.
It’s an intriguing development with one day until the draft but we know that Caserio will be looking for an advantage and be willing to at least make the call.