Draft insider explains why Houston Texans could gamble on polarizing prospect

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Texans Nick Caserio, Roger Goodell draft
The Texans have the 25th overall selection. Composite image by Jack Brame.

The NFL Draft is coming up fast — Thursday, April 24th — and the Houston Texans are in a key position to add serious talent around CJ Stroud.

We’re joined by NFL insider Lance Zierlein, who shares exclusive insight on a few top prospects the Texans could target. With protection for Stroud being a top priority, we ask: Can any of these draft picks become foundational pieces on the offensive line?

Plus, upon rewatching Ohio State tackle Josh Simmons' film recently, Zierlein was reminded that Simmons is the best tackle in this draft. But he's coming off a patellar tendon injury, and LZ has heard conflicting reports about character concerns. Would the Texans take a chance on upside over a safer player with SWARM mentality?

We also hear directly from DeMeco Ryans about the Texans’ draft mindset — do they truly need these players, or are they looking to build something long-term?

Can the Texans find the right lineman to anchor the trenches? Are they drafting to protect CJ — or just adding depth?

Names to watch: OT Kelvin Banks Jr., OG Tyler Booker, OT Josh Simmons, OG Donovan Jackson.

Or, could the Texans shock everyone and draft a receiver in Round 1?

Don't miss the video below to hear the full discussion!

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Yordan Alvarez is still having issues with his hand. Composite Getty Image.

Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez has experienced a setback in his recovery from a broken right hand and will see a specialist.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Alvarez felt pain when he arrived Tuesday at the team's spring training complex in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he had a workout a day earlier. Alvarez also took batting practice Saturday at Daikin Park.

He will be shut down until he's evaluated by the specialist.

“It’s a tough time going through this with Yordan, but I know that he’s still feeling pain and the soreness in his hand,” Brown said before Tuesday night's series opener at Colorado. “We’re not going to try to push it or force him through anything. We're just going to allow him to heal and get a little bit more answers as to what steps we take next.”

Alvarez has been sidelined for nearly two months. The injury was initially diagnosed as a muscle strain, but when Alvarez felt pain again while hitting in late May, imaging revealed a small fracture.

The 28-year-old outfielder, who has hit 31 homers or more in each of the past four seasons, had been eyeing a return as soon as this weekend at the Los Angeles Dodgers. Now it's uncertain when he'll play.

“We felt like he was close because he had felt so good of late,” Brown said, “but this is certainly news that we didn't want.”

You can watch Brown discuss the setback in the video below.

Also Tuesday, the Astros officially placed shortstop Jeremy Peña on the 10-day injured list with a fractured rib and recalled infielder Shay Whitcomb from Triple-A Sugar Land.

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