Houston Texans (Last Year: 10-7)
2025 NFL Season Preview:
Veteran Additions:
RB Nick Chubb, FB Jakob Johnson, WR Christian Kirk, WR Justin Watson, OT Cam Robinson, OT Trent Brown, G Ed Ingram, G Laken Tomlinson, DE Darrell Taylor, DT Sheldon Rankins, LB E.J. Speed, LB Nick Niemann, CB Tremon Smith, CB Ronald Darby, S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson.
Early Draft Picks:
WR Jayden Higgins, OT Aireonte Ersery, WR Jaylin Noel, CB Jaylin Smith, RB Woody Marks. Texans Rookie Forecast
Offseason Losses:
QB Case Keenum, WR Stefon Diggs, WR Diontae Johnson, OT Laremy Tunsil, G Shaq Mason, G Kenyon Green, LB Devin White, CB Jeff Okudah, S Eric Murray.
2025 Houston Texans Offense:
The Texans front office should send a gift basket each holiday season to the Panthers for as long as C.J. Stroud is their starting quarterback. Carolina had the opportunity to select Stroud atop the 2023 NFL Draft. Despite the wishes of the coaches and front-office personnel, owner David “Axe” Tepper declared that Young would be the choice. This allowed Stroud to fall to the Texans, who scooped him up with the second pick.
Stroud was far better than advertised as a rookie, throwing for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns and only five interceptions, leading Houston to the second round of the playoffs and winning Offensive Rookie of the Year in the process. Stroud was expected by many to take a big leap heading into this sophomore campaign, but the opposite occurred. Stroud, who is currently dealing with shoulder soreness, regressed as a result of multiple factors. This includes the offensive line, which struggled to block for Stroud.
The thought process was that Houston was going to upgrade Stroud’s protection this offseason. Instead, the offensive line got much worse as a result of the Laremy Tunsil trade. Tunsil was still one of the league’s best left tackles, so trading him to the Redskins and then downgrading to the mediocre Cam Robinson was a very questionable decision. What’s worse is that right tackle is also a huge question mark because Trent Brown can’t stay healthy. Houston used a second-round pick on Aireontae Ersery, but there’s no telling if he’ll be ready to perform on a high level as a rookie.
Despite these huge issues a tackle, the interior blocking figures to be even worse. The Texans lost two guards – Shaq Mason, Kenyon Green – so their replacements figure to be Tytus Howard and Juice Scruggs. Howard will be moving from right tackle to guard, a move that should benefit him. Scruggs will also be making a switch, sliding over from center to guard. Scruggs made the move in the second half of the 2024 season, which downgraded his pass protection. He made room for center Jarrett Patterson, who isn’t a very good blocker.
Much like the offensive line, the receiving corps had issues last year and likely won’t be as good in 2025. Nico Collins returns as one of the most dominant receivers in the NFL, but he’s the only sure thing the Texans have at the position with Stefon Diggs gone and Tank Dell injured. Houston signed Christian Kirk and then used two second-day selections on wideouts. Kirk performed well in Jacksonville when healthy, but was constantly injured. Second-rounder Jayden Higgins has some separation question marks, while third-rounder Jaylin Noel has size and speed concerns.
The lone bright spot for the Texans last year, aside from Tunsil and Collins, was the running ability of Joe Mixon. Despite the issues on the offensive line, Mixon thrived. It remains to be seen if Mixon can duplicate what he accomplished in 2024, given the changes to the blocking personnel. Nick Chubb will have a good chance to win the No. 2 job and serve as a capable backup behind Mixon.
2025 Houston Texans Defense:
While Houston’s offense sputtered last year, the defense was able to carry the team to the playoffs. The Texans were sixth in yards allowed, thanks mostly to a suffocating pass rush that placed heavy pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
The two big names pertaining to Houston’s pass rush are Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter. They combined for 23 of the team’s 49 sacks. The Texans could be even better in this regard in 2025 because they added depth by signing Darrell Taylor to go along with Denico Autry.
Houston’s excellent pass rush helped the secondary immensely last season, as all three starting cornerbacks performed at a high level. Derek Stingley was the best of the bunch, and he was rewarded with a $90 million contract this spring. Kamari Lassiter thrived across from Stingley despite being a second-round rookie. The future is very bright for him, and the same can be said of 25-year-old Jalen Pitre, who can play nickel and safety.
Speaking of safeties, the Texans signed a good one in Chauncey Gardner-Johnson this offseason. Gardner-Johnson can be injury-prone, and he comes with off-the-field issues, but he’s a very talented player who will enhance an already-stellar secondary. He’ll start next to Calen Bullock, who was the weak link of the secondary last year. However, Bullock was a third-round rookie, so he should be better with experience.
The Texans also had strong linebacker play as well last year. The group was led by Azeez Al-Shaair, who thrived in run support. He’ll once again start next to Henry To’oTo’o, who wasn’t as good. Houston could stand to upgrade To’oTo’o, and perhaps it did by signing former Colt E.J. Speed, who also was effective at defending the run.
The one group that hasn’t been discussed yet is the defensive tackles. Despite all of the great pieces of the defense, this positional group appears to be a train wreck. Foley Fatukasi and Tim Settle could be the league’s worst starting duo. Fatukasi has at least played well in the past, but he’s coming off a horrendous year. Somehow, Settle was even worse. The Texans signed Sheldon Rankins, but he’s an older player with an extensive injury history.
2025 Houston Texans Schedule and Intangibles:
Ka’imi Fairbairn’s overall field goal percentage isn’t amazing (36-of-42) until his 50-plus rate is considered. Fairbairn went 13-of-16 from beyond 50!
The Texans had a new punter last year in Tommy Townsend. This was a great signing, as Townsend was third in net-punting average and first in punts placed inside the 20.
The Texans have some tough non-divisional opponents on the schedule. They have to take on the Chiefs, Bills, Rams, Ravens, 49ers, and Broncos.
2025 Houston Texans Rookies:
Go here for the Texans Rookie Forecast, a page with predictions like which rookie will bust and which rookie will become a solid starter.
2025 Houston Texans Positional Rankings (1-5 stars):
Quarterbacks |
 |
Offensive Line |
|
Secondary |
|
Running Backs |
|
Defensive Line |
|
Special Teams |
|
Receivers |
|
Linebackers |
|
Coaching |
|
Projection: 9-8 (2nd in AFC South)
2024 Projection: 12-5. 2024 Actual Result: 10-7.
2023 Projection: 6-11. 2023 Actual Result: 10-7.
2022 Projection: 2-15. 2022 Actual Result: 3-13-1.
2021 Projection: 0-17. 2021 Actual Result: 4-12.
2020 Projection: 7-9. 2020 Actual Result: 4-12.
2019 Projection: 8-8. 2019 Actual Result: 10-6.
2018 Projection: 12-4. 2018 Actual Result: 11-5.
2017 Projection: 8-8. 2017 Actual Result: 4-12.
2016 Projection: 11-5. 2016 Actual Result: 9-7.
NFL Draft Team Grade: C+ Grade
Goals Entering the 2025 NFL Draft: The Texans lost three offensive linemen this offseason, including Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil. They must bolster C.J. Stroud’s pass protection, and they also need to upgrade the weapons Stroud has with Stefon Diggs gone and Tank Dell injured. Other than that, it wouldn’t hurt if the Texans addressed the middle of their defense.
2025 NFL Draft Accomplishments: The Texans had plans to upgrade their offensive line in the opening round, but with Tyler Booker and Donovan Jackson off the board, they traded out of Thursday night. While this frustrated some fans, it didn’t take very long for the Texans to excite them again. Houston addressed its troubled receiving corps with Jayden Higgins and then found a steal in the middle of the second round in Aireontae Ersery, who could emerge as a starting tackle during his rookie season.
The Texans found another receiver with their next pick, but then got off track after that. Houston began addressing positions that weren’t needs and didn’t even do so with amazing values. The team came away with just one offensive lineman in the entire class, which is a huge blunder.
I thought I was going to grade the Texans highly following their strong start. However, they made far too many irrelevant picks late on Friday and Saturday when upgrades on the offensive line were sorely needed.
NFL Draft Individual Grades:
34. Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State – B Grade
I worry about Jayden Higgins’ ability to separate. He ran a good 40 at his size, but I still have concerns. However, Jayden Higgins makes sense in the second round, and he potentially fills a huge need for the Texans, who lost two receivers to departure/injury.
48. Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota – A+ Grade
The Texans did well to trade up for Aireontae Ersery, who was receiving some first-round buzz late in the pre-draft process. Ersery’s correct spot was likely the beginning of the second round, so this is a great bargain for the Texans. It obviously fills a need, given the severe issues the Texans have on their offensive line.
79. Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State – B Grade
Jaylin Noel was very productive at Iowa State, but came with some size and speed concerns until he ran a very fast 40 at the combine. It makes sense to take him here, as he was pegged as a third-round prospect. Houston needs to continue adding receivers to its troubled group.
97. Jaylin Smith, CB, USC – C+ Grade
Jaylin Smith is a very versatile defensive back who can play any position in the secondary, but he’s raw and needs to get stronger for the NFL. I’m not sure the Texans needed to trade up for him.
116. Woody Marks, RB, USC – B- Grade
I’m not a fan of the Texans surrendering a third-round pick for next year to move up, but I like the prospect they chose at this spot. They needed a better backup behind Joe Mixon, and they potentially got one in Woody Marks, who is a good receiver out of the backfield.
187. Jaylen Reed, S, Penn State – B Grade
The Texans could have gone after greater positions of need with this pick. However, Jaylen Reed is arguably a somewhat decent value. It sounded like he had fifth-round consideration, though we had him going around this range.
197. Graham Mertz, QB, Florida – C- Grade
I didn’t have Graham Mertz being drafted. Mertz, coming off a torn ACL, seemed to be headed for UDFA. There were better quarterbacks available.
224. Kyonte Hamilton, DT, Rutgers – B Grade
Kyonte Hamilton got some buzz late in the draft process and seemed like he could sneak into the seventh round. It makes sense for the Texans to find some tackle depth here with him.
255. Luke Lachey, TE, Iowa – B Grade
Luke Lachey won’t be challenging Dalton Schultz for targets, as he is a blocking tight end. Lachey is a tough, physical blocker who should be able to keep C.J. Stroud upright.
Follow me @walterfootball for updates.
2026 NFL Mock Draft - June 10
NFL Power Rankings - May 16
NFL Picks - Feb. 9
