The Houston Texans selected North Carolina offensive tackle Charlie Heck with the 126th pick of the fourth round of the NFL Draft. The Texans swapped picks with the Los Angeles Rams, moving up to draft the offensive lineman after trading back earlier in the fourth round on Saturday.
"It's been a dream of mine since I can remember going with my dad to football games and to play for a team like the Texans," Heck said via conference call Saturday. "I mean, I'm still speechless right now. You know, football has been in my family a long time. My dad played, he's coach now. So it's kind of been in my blood growing up and just watching all these teams. I mean, I couldn't be happier to be a part of this organization."
Heck (6-8, 311) was a three-year starter for the Tar Heels after a redshirt freshman year in 2016. As a senior, he started all 12 games at left tackle in 2019 after starting 11 games at right tackle the year before.
"Being able to play both positions, you know, that's something really important that I've been working on is just being able to interchangeably go back and forth," Heck said. "Those positions just feel completely comfortable. Get your hips used to it. And so that's something I've been working on."
Heck was named second-team All-ACC and surrendered only 1/3 of a sack during the 2019 season. His versatility brings depth to the Texans offensive line, anchored by Laremy Tunsil and Tytus Howard at left and right tackle, respectively.
"Heck is a technician with fluidity and movement skills of a smaller man," Texans football analyst John Harris said. "He plays with nearly flawless technique and grew up as the son of an offensive line coach. He can play either tackle position and he'll definitely be a guy that will comprehend the game plan and his role on this Texans squad.
Heck is the son of Andy Heck, a former All-American offensive tackle at Notre Dame and first-round pick in the 1989 NFL Draft. The elder Heck is now an NFL offensive line coach for the Kansas City Chiefs.
