For the second straight day, the Texans picked an offensive lineman in the 2019 NFL Draft.
A night after they selected Alabama State tackle Tytus Howard in the first round, Houston used the 55th overall pick on Northern Illinois offensive tackle Max Scharping. The 6-6, 327-pounder was picked one spot after the Texans other second-rounder, cornerback Lonnie Johnson, Junior of Kentucky.
The Green Bay, Wisconsin started every game of his college career, 53 in all, and he said he's "very happy" to be a Texan. The past two seasons Scharping was a left tackle, after spending his sophomore year at right tackle. He split time between right guard and right tackle as a freshman. He was also a three-time All-MAC selection.
Getting better up front offensively has been a priority for the organization, and Scharping looks forward to blocking for quarterback Deshaun Watson.
"He's one of the best quarterbacks in the League," Scharping said. "He's a great person to be able to protect for. He's athletic. He can move throughout the pocket, and he's got a great arm. I can't wait to be one of the guys protecting him."
During a conference call with the Houston media, he said he's comfortable playing inside or outside on the line.
"Whatever they need me at, I'll be available to play guard or tackle," Scharping said.
The newest Texan said he grew up watching defensive end J.J. Watt play his college ball at Wisconsin. Scharping and his family are also excited about the Texans getting to practice with the Packers before the preseason opener in August.
"It will be an amazing opportunity for me and my family to see me play in Lambeau early on in my career," Scharping said. "I can't wait for that."
The Texans next selection is in the third round at 86th overall.
OL Max Scharping of Northern Illinois was picked in the 2nd round at 55th overall by the Houston Texans. (via AP Images)
Northern Illinois offensive tackle Max Scharping during the second half of the Mid-American Conference championship NCAA college football game against Buffalo, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Northern Illinois offensive tackle Max Scharping (73) during the second half of the Mid-American Conference championship NCAA college football game against Buffalo, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Northern Illinois offensive tackle Max Scharping during the second half of the Mid-American Conference championship NCAA college football game against Buffalo, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Northern Illinois' offensive tackle Max Scharping prepares to block a Florida State defensive playerin an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept.22, 2018, in Tallahassee Fla. Florida State won 37-19. (AP Photo/Steve Cannon)
Northern Illinois' Max Scharping warms up before the start of an NCAA college football game with Florida State, Saturday, Sept.22, 2018, in Tallahassee Fla. Florida State won 37-19. (AP Photo/Steve Cannon)
Northern Illinois' Max Scharping gets set prior to the snap in an NCAA college football game with Florida State, Saturday, Sept.22, 2018, in Tallahassee Fla. Florida State won 37-19. (AP Photo/Steve Cannon)
Northern Illinois' Max Scharping pass blocks against the rush of Florida State's Brian Burns during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept.22, 2018, in Tallahassee Fla. Florida State won 37-19. (AP Photo/Steve Cannon)
Florida State's Brian Burns tries to get around the block of Northern Illinois' Max Scharping in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept.22, 2018, in Tallahassee Fla. Florida State won 37-19. (AP Photo/Steve Cannon)
Northern Illinois' Max Scharping moves to block Florida State's Joshua Kaindoh during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept.22, 2018, in Tallahassee Fla. Florida State won 37-19. (AP Photo/Steve Cannon)
Northern Illinois' Max Scharping bocks Florida State's Joshua Kaindoh during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept.22, 2018, in Tallahassee Fla. Florida State won 37-19. (AP Photo/Steve Cannon)
Northern Illinois offensive lineman Max Scharping poses for a headshot during the 2019 Scouting Combine,Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Northern Illinois offensive lineman Max Scharping does he bench press at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Northern Illinois offensive lineman Max Scharping runs a drill during the 2019 Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Friday, March. 1, 2019. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Northern Illinois offensive tackle Max Scharping addresses the media during a news conference, Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018, in Detroit. Northern Illinois will face Buffalo in the Mid-American Conference championship NCAA college football game on Friday. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Northern Illinois offensive lineman Max Scharping runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Northern Illinois offensive lineman Max Scharping runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Northern Illinois offensive lineman Max Scharping runs the 40-yard dash in this pan motion image during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Northern Illinois offensive lineman Max Scharping runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Northern Illinois offensive lineman Max Scharping participates in a drill during the NFL football scouting combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Northern Illinois offensive lineman Max Scharping runs a drill during the 2019 Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Friday, March. 1, 2019. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Northern Illinois offensive lineman Max Scharping participates in a drill during the NFL football scouting combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Northern Illinois offensive lineman Max Scharping runs the 40-yard dash in this pan motion image during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Northern Illinois offensive lineman Max Scharping runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Northern Illinois offensive lineman Max Scharping runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Northern Illinois offensive lineman Max Scharping runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
