Report: Texans offered three future picks to move up into top 40 of draft

USA Today

19-05-2025

Report: Texans offered three future picks to move up into top 40 of draft
Knowing Nick Caserio, the Houston Texans were always going to make trades during Day 2 of last month's NFL Draft. They did, targeting Minnesota offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders to move up 10 spots in the second round from No. 58 to No. 48.
But was there another move in mind for Houston? What about another player other than the All-Big Ten tackle and three-year starter for the Golden Gophers? According to one report, the Texans might have been after another Big Ten talent to bolster new offensive coordinator Nick Caley's personnel.
In the first episode of the New England Patriots' Forged in Foxboro video series, cameras inside the draft room showed the offers the Patriots were getting while on the clock at No. 38. In the video, the Texans called, offering the Patriots a package of three picks in a swap: The No. 58 and No. 79 picks in the 2025 draft as well as a third-round pick in 2026.
The Patriots declined, leading to the selection of Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson. The Chicago Bears also made a phone call, specifically for Henderson, though the offer was just for a 2025 seventh-round pick to move down one spot. With New England wanting another running back to pair with Drake Maye, it elected to stand pat and select the national champion playmaker.
But the Texans' willingness to move up 20 spots must mean they were interested in one specific player. Ersery very well could have been the selection, but Henderson's pass-catching ability and downhill running style is exactly the type of play Caley was accustom to seeing during his time with the Los Angeles Rams.
Houston eventually targeted receiving threat Woody Marks in Round 4, giving up a future third-round pick to secure his services. He'll be a Day 1 contributor, but Henderson's arrival would mark not only another former C.J. Stroud teammate but also a long-term plan to replace Pro Bowler Joe Mixon after his contract expires in 2027.
But say Henderson wasn't the target. Who was? Could the Texans have been going after another receiver like Luther Burden III? LSU's Mason Taylor was rumored to be an option in the passing game, so could Houston have been targeting its next starting tight end?
Regardless, the Texans landed a starting-caliber offensive tackle without breaking the bank. New England received solid offers, but they liked Henderson so much that they passed on talent. They see him having a big role in their offense, and they were willing to turn down extra picks to ensure they got him.