The Houston Texans did not have the season they were hoping for after a strong 2023 campaign. Not only did C.J. Stroud not emerge as an MVP candidate, but the team once again flamed out in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, this time to the Kansas City Chiefs. However, there were some positives to take away from their year.
The defense, which was suspect last year, took a major step forward. If the offensive line can be reworked, they could instantly vault into Super Bowl contention. The latest seven-round 2025 NFL Mock Draft from PFSN’s Brentley Weissman predicts Houston getting exactly what it needs.
25) Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
“In one of the more shocking free agency moves, the Houston Texans traded Pro Bowl offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil to the Commanders, leaving a massive hole up front. The team must look to find a new blindside protector for their star quarterback, C.J. Stroud, and doing so through the draft makes a lot of sense,” Weissman said.
“Simmons is an athletic pass protector who likely would have gone off the board earlier had he not torn his ACL this season. He is a long and explosive athlete who should excel in pass protection at the NFL level.”
The league’s worst offensive line, per PFSN’s OL+ metric, combined with losing Tunsil, makes this the most obvious and necessary position for Houston to address. This high in the draft, they essentially get to make the selection of their choice.
58) Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky
“Walker has rare size and power for the position and can clog gaps in the middle of the Texans’ defense. He can be a dynamic player lined up next to Sheldon Rankins, who wins with quickness and speed, while Walker can win with power and length,” Weissman said.
The backbone of their 2024 season, the seventh-ranked defense on PFSN’s Defense+ metric, didn’t see a ton of change in free agency. However, during their two playoff games, the rush defense was exposed, making Walker the perfect name to close those gaps.
79) Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State
“The Texans lost Stefon Diggs in free agency and will likely be without Tank Dell for most of the season as he works his way back from a significant knee injury. Noel can come in and compete to start Day 1,” Weissman said.
Last season, Houston had one of the five worst offenses per PFSN’s Offense+ metric. Jaylin Noel, coming off a year where he totaled 1,194 yards and eight touchdowns for the Cyclones, could immediately slot into Dell’s role and give the Texans another valuable playmaker.
89) Jackson Slater, OG, Sacramento State
“The Texans continue to build their offensive line with the small-school prospect. Jackson Slater isn’t the best athlete, but he plays with good balance, power, and technique,” Weissman said.
Help on the offensive line is a necessity for the Texans, and Slater might be one of the better options available this deep into the draft.
166) Sebastian Castro, S, Iowa
Adding C.J. Gardner-Johnson gives Houston a premier safety, but rounding out the depth with Sebastian Castro is a smart move. With a proven track record, he brings physicality to the unit and can be a legitimate weapon, especially near the line of scrimmage.
Best in a downhill system that allows him to play zone, Castro could be an instant contributor on special teams due to his speed. Over time, he could grow into a reliable piece on defense.
236) Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Arizona
Joe Mixon was the most consistent part of the Houston offense last season, with 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns. However, after a heavy workload, head coach DeMeco Ryans may look to add some versatility to the backfield.
JaCorey Croskey-Merritt missed most of the 2024 season, which hurt his draft stock. But in 2023, he broke out with 1,190 yards and 17 touchdowns for New Mexico, drawing the attention of Arizona in the first place.
241) Barryn Sorrell, EDGE, Texas
Projected by many scouts to be a contributor from the jump, Barryn Sorrell has a strong upside. He could be better against the run, but he’s already shown real promise as a pass rusher with a long frame and high motor.
He’ll need to expand his rush arsenal to become more consistent, but his floor is solid, and the potential is there for much more.