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The Houston Texans have been dubbed a loser of free agency after several moves shocked the league during the early stages of free agency.
The Texans are starting over on the offensive line, including shipping five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil off to the Washington Commanders in exchange for four future draft picks. Houston also released veteran Shaq Mason and traded Kenyon Green to the Philadelphia Eagles, though at least that move welcomed do-it-all defensive back C.J. Gardner Johnson to the secondary.
Houston must continue to fix the offense. On top of needing a starting long-term left tackle and guard, the Texans need a stable No. 2 receiver to pair alongside Nico Collins and Christian Kirk. Finding stability at the center position might not be the worst option, either.
We've rounded up the latest 2025 NFL mock drafts, where experts believe the Texans will turn their attention to a top offensive skill player, including multiple tackles with the 25th overall pick, after the first wave of free agency.
USA Today's Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz: "Between firing offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik and then capping off the detonation of their front by trading away Laremy Tunsil, the Texans sent a clear message that their protection plan for C.J. Stroud wouldn't stand. Now left to build the line from the ground up, Houston could turn to Simmons, who has all the traits of a high-end pass protector but is coming off a torn patellar tendon suffered in October."
CBS Sports' Josh Edwards: "Houston taking an offensive lineman in the first round feels like one of the greatest certainties in the draft after trading both Laremy Tunsil and Kenyon Green. The Texans now must reconstruct an offensive line that has been depleted."
FOX Sports' David Helman: "Simmons said at the NFL Combine that he's on track in his recovery from the patellar injury that ended his season. If that's true, he might not hang around this long. It's hard to project when we don't know the specifics, but if he's got a clean bill of health, then he makes a lot of sense as the first building block for the Texans in the post-Laremy Tunsil era."
NBC Sports' Eric Froton: "The surprising trade of Laremy Tunsil paints Houston into a corner with this selection, as they will almost assuredly be taking an offensive lineman with one of their first two selections. Zabel has short arms which will limit his utility at tackle, but he showed out in Senior Bowl practices and can play any spot on the line."
Athlon Sports' Luke Easterling: After trading away Laremy Tunsil, an awful offensive line has gotten that much worse. The rebuild can start with Banks, who has the skills and experience to fill that role, but could also slide inside and be an instant upgrade at guard.
33rd Team's Kyle Crabbs: "The latest Tank Dell updates don't paint a favorable picture for the 2025 season. Stefon Diggs doesn't feel like a logical double-down for the Texans. So what did Houston do? They agreed to terms for trading for Christian Kirk. But the Texans should take this adjustment a step further and draft Stroud's old teammate from Ohio State to make this wide receiver corps the hilarious strength it was supposed to be last year before injuries added up."
Sports Illustrated's Alan Goldshar: "Third-year QB C.J. Stroud needs some protection, and the hyper-athletic Zabel will be a welcome presence in the Houston huddle."
For The Win's Christian D'Andrea: "With Stefon Diggs a free agent and Tank Dell recovering from a devastating knee injury, it's time to replenish the Texans' receiving corps. While snagging an interior lineman like Tyler Booker here would help, the amount of veterans available in free agency and later in the draft makes Burden’s exclusivity a selling point.
Burden is a shape-shifter who can thrive as a sideline threat or devastating chain-mover over the middle. He’s got great hands and vision to pair with explosive acceleration for big gains after the catch. He’s also a powerfully built blocker who can help create space on off-tackle runs.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: 2025 NFL mock draft roundup: Texans target trio of offensive talent
Continue reading...
The Texans are starting over on the offensive line, including shipping five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil off to the Washington Commanders in exchange for four future draft picks. Houston also released veteran Shaq Mason and traded Kenyon Green to the Philadelphia Eagles, though at least that move welcomed do-it-all defensive back C.J. Gardner Johnson to the secondary.
Houston must continue to fix the offense. On top of needing a starting long-term left tackle and guard, the Texans need a stable No. 2 receiver to pair alongside Nico Collins and Christian Kirk. Finding stability at the center position might not be the worst option, either.
We've rounded up the latest 2025 NFL mock drafts, where experts believe the Texans will turn their attention to a top offensive skill player, including multiple tackles with the 25th overall pick, after the first wave of free agency.
USA Today: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
USA Today's Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz: "Between firing offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik and then capping off the detonation of their front by trading away Laremy Tunsil, the Texans sent a clear message that their protection plan for C.J. Stroud wouldn't stand. Now left to build the line from the ground up, Houston could turn to Simmons, who has all the traits of a high-end pass protector but is coming off a torn patellar tendon suffered in October."
CBS Sports: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
CBS Sports' Josh Edwards: "Houston taking an offensive lineman in the first round feels like one of the greatest certainties in the draft after trading both Laremy Tunsil and Kenyon Green. The Texans now must reconstruct an offensive line that has been depleted."
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FOX Sports: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
FOX Sports' David Helman: "Simmons said at the NFL Combine that he's on track in his recovery from the patellar injury that ended his season. If that's true, he might not hang around this long. It's hard to project when we don't know the specifics, but if he's got a clean bill of health, then he makes a lot of sense as the first building block for the Texans in the post-Laremy Tunsil era."
NBC Sports: Gray Zabel, OL, North Dakota State
NBC Sports' Eric Froton: "The surprising trade of Laremy Tunsil paints Houston into a corner with this selection, as they will almost assuredly be taking an offensive lineman with one of their first two selections. Zabel has short arms which will limit his utility at tackle, but he showed out in Senior Bowl practices and can play any spot on the line."
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Athlon Sports: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
Athlon Sports' Luke Easterling: After trading away Laremy Tunsil, an awful offensive line has gotten that much worse. The rebuild can start with Banks, who has the skills and experience to fill that role, but could also slide inside and be an instant upgrade at guard.
33rd Team: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
33rd Team's Kyle Crabbs: "The latest Tank Dell updates don't paint a favorable picture for the 2025 season. Stefon Diggs doesn't feel like a logical double-down for the Texans. So what did Houston do? They agreed to terms for trading for Christian Kirk. But the Texans should take this adjustment a step further and draft Stroud's old teammate from Ohio State to make this wide receiver corps the hilarious strength it was supposed to be last year before injuries added up."
Sports Illustrated: Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State
Sports Illustrated's Alan Goldshar: "Third-year QB C.J. Stroud needs some protection, and the hyper-athletic Zabel will be a welcome presence in the Houston huddle."
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For The Win: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
For The Win's Christian D'Andrea: "With Stefon Diggs a free agent and Tank Dell recovering from a devastating knee injury, it's time to replenish the Texans' receiving corps. While snagging an interior lineman like Tyler Booker here would help, the amount of veterans available in free agency and later in the draft makes Burden’s exclusivity a selling point.
Burden is a shape-shifter who can thrive as a sideline threat or devastating chain-mover over the middle. He’s got great hands and vision to pair with explosive acceleration for big gains after the catch. He’s also a powerfully built blocker who can help create space on off-tackle runs.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: 2025 NFL mock draft roundup: Texans target trio of offensive talent
Continue reading...
