The C.J. Stroud regime has two playoff appearances in two seasons, but they also lost most of their offensive line in the offseason. The Houston Texans aim for three straight playoff appearances, but did they answer all the questions in the 2025 NFL Draft?
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Overall Texans Draft Grade: B
After the offense took a clear step back in 2024, this offseason should have been all about ensuring C.J. Stroud’s career gets back on track. The Houston Texans scared many early in the offseason by trading away All-Pro left tackle Laremy Tunsil, not an obvious first step after last year’s offensive line ranked 31st by PFSN’s metrics. Still, Stroud should be in a better spot to succeed after Houston’s investment in the draft.
Cam Robinson is a decent stopgap left tackle, but Aireontae Ersery gives Houston a genuine left tackle prospect to develop, without the immediate pressure to play. The interior is still a potential weakness given the Texans’ lack of draft investment there with any of their nine picks.
However, Houston isn’t lacking for options after acquiring Laken Tomlinson and Ed Ingram to go along with Jarrett Patterson, Juice Scruggs, and Tytus Howard (assuming Howard remains a guard instead of returning to tackle).
Drafting both Iowa State wide receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel also rebuilds a wide receiver corps that fell flat due to injuries in 2024. Higgins and Nico Collins have some redundancy, but can both stay on the field as vertical ball-winners. Noel steps into the slot for the departed Stefon Diggs, representing one of the best values of Day 2 after falling to the 79th overall pick.
Most of Houston’s draft resources were spent on offense, a sensible path given the imbalance between the teams and a strong defense that is largely in place. Third-round cornerback Jaylin Smith is an interesting prospect to develop, but won’t need to play right away with Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter locking down the perimeter cornerback roles.
Overall, the Texans look far better equipped to win their third straight AFC South title with a more balanced roster composition than what they had last season. The only quibble with this grade is the lack of offensive line investment beyond Ersery, though that was a solid enough pick at the most important OL position.
Grades for Every Texans Draft Pick
- Round 2, Pick 34
Jayden Higgins, WR | Iowa State
Grade: B+
Coming into Day 2 with five selections before Round 4, the Texans could afford to follow their board with their first 2025 selection. There were higher-graded WR prospects on PFSN Draft Analyst Ian Cummings’ board at this spot, but Jayden Higgins is a superb fit alongside Nico Collins as a movement-Z or power-slot receiver in Houston.
At 6’4” and 215 pounds, Higgins has a tremendous blend of size and explosiveness, and on top of that, he’s a reliable catch-point converter with target-funnel ability working the middle of the field. He isn’t an elite separator, especially against the press, but he’s a great utility piece for C.J. Stroud.
- Round 2, Pick 48
Aireontae Ersery, OT | Minnesota
Grade: C+
At the very least, the Texans are being proactive when addressing their offensive line on Day 2. They traded up to the 48th pick and took Minnesota’s Aireontae Ersery as their first front-line blocker in their 2025 class. He’ll now join the effort as Houston looks to rework its blocking unit.
Ersery has the size and on-attack explosiveness to mold at 6’6”, 330 pounds. However, he’s still relatively volatile with his overall execution, control, and leverage maintenance later in reps, and deficiencies with recovery flexibility and pad level maintenance could mar his projection.
In my opinion, he projects better at guard, and with Cam Robinson and Tytus Howard in tow, that might be where the Texans envision him. The intent is admirable, but the player and value aren’t without their uncertainty.
- Round 3, Pick 79
Jaylin Noel, WR | Iowa State
Grade: A
Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel were no longer on the same team for about two hours. The Texans reunited the Iowa State teammates, rebuilding a receiver corps that went bust last season and looked very thin entering the draft.
While Higgins has some redundancy with Nico Collins, Noel immediately slots in as the slot receiver replacement for Stefon Diggs. He profiles as one of the more pro-ready receiver prospects this year due to his elite athleticism, route-running polish, and sure hands.
As much hype as the Texans’ wide receiver group received last offseason, this year’s group should serve as a more sustainable foundation to grow alongside C.J. Stroud.
- Round 3, Pick 97
Jaylin Smith, CB | USC
Grade: C
While Jaylin Smith was largely seen as a late Day 3 prospect, the Texans did get a prospect with excellent versatility. During his collegiate career, Smith played box safety, free safety, outside corner, and slot corner. His fluidity allows him to stick with receivers, but his poor ball production limits his ceiling as a disruptor.
Houston doesn’t come with many needs on defense, and their secondary is in strong shape after extending Derek Stingley Jr. and Jalen Pitre this offseason. There’s no immediate path to playing time for Smith, so it’ll be more interesting to see where the Texans view his best position as he develops.
- Round 4, Pick 116
Jo’Quavious Marks, RB, USC
Grade: B-
Better known as “Woody,” Jo’Quavious Marks had a breakout season for USC as a fifth-year senior in 2024. Marks rushed for 1,133 yards and nine touchdowns, adding 47 receptions for 321 yards through the air. That came after four relatively anonymous seasons at Mississippi State, where Marks never emerged as a clear lead back.
Marks has a strong, compact build and brings significant receiving production, having piled up 261 career receptions in college. He also demonstrates strong hands, with only one drop on 54 targets last season. Although he’s an older rookie (he’ll be 25 at the start of the season), Marks could bring some receiving value and take the load off Joe Mixon.
- Round 6, Pick 187
Jaylen Reed, S | Penn State
Grade: B+ - Round 6, Pick 197
Graham Mertz, Florida | QB
Grade: C- - Round 7, Pick 224
Kyonte Hamilton, DT | Rutgers
Grade: A - Round 7, Pick 255
Luke Lachey, TE | Iowa
Grade: B