Texans updated depth chart following 2025 NFL Draft
Nine new players enter the fold for the Houston Texans following draft weekend with the intent of helping the AFC South winners improve. There's four new offensive weapons, a new trench player on both sides and two members of the secondary all ready to take the next steps forward in their careers.
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The top three picks should have an immediate impact on the squad. Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel were two of the top targets and likely will serve as the No. 2 and No. 4 weapons for C.J. Stroud. Then there's second-round pick Aireronte Ersery, who likely won't be the Week 1 starting left tackle, but the expectation is for him to take over long-term in place of five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil
Cam Robinson, who inked a one-year, $12 million deal earlier this week, is expected to start in place of Tunsi, who was traded in a blockbuster move with the Washington Commanders built around four future draft picks. Robinson isn't guaranteed to be the long-term answer for the Texans as C.J. Stroud's new blindside protector. He allowed seven sacks and gave up the sixth-most pressures among offensive tackles during his 11 games with the Vikings.
At wide receiver, there's talent outside of Nico Collins, but everyone besides Christian Kirk is on thin ice of making the roster. The same goes for the tight end room with the arrival of Iowa's Luke Lachey.
The draft is officially in the books, so here's an updated look at the team's (projected) depth chart after the arrival of nine new picks.
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Note: Undrafted free agents and future deal players will not be mentioned.
* - denotes rookie
Quarterback (3)
Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) slides during a play while being pursued by Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. (4) uring the season opener at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, August 31, 2024 against the University of Miami Hurricanes in the first half. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]
QB1: C.J. Stroud
QB2: Davis Mills
QB3: Graham Mertz*
Mills returns as Stroud's backup, but it seems like Houston has another long-term plan in motion just in case the former third-rounder walks in free agency. Mertz, who led the SEC in completion percentage during the 2023 season at Florida, likely won't be cleared to play until 2026, giving him time to learn the playbook under new offensive coordinator Nick Caley.
Running back (5)
Oct 25, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans running back Woody Marks (4) carries the ball against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
RB1: Joe Mixon
RB2: Dameon Pierce
RB3: Woody Marks*
RB3: Dare Ogunbowale
RB4: J.J. Taylor
It's the Mixon show for another year, but Marks might have a bigger role than most Day 3 picks. He's a receiving threat that shines when asked to win in the flats on third down. That might make him the new No. 2 back, especially with Pierce, Taylor and Ogunbowale all becoming free agents after the season.
Fullback (1)
Dec 25, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Las Vegas Raiders fullback Jakob Johnson (45) runs onto the field against the Kansas City Chiefs prior to a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
FB1: Jakob Johnson
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Johnson has special teams experience and a previous relationship with Caley. There is a legit chance for him to make the final 53-man roster.
Wide receiver (10)
Iowa State wide receiver Jayden Higgins (9) reacts after making a catch against North Dakota on Aug. 31, 2024, at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames.
WR1: Nico Collins
WR2: Christian Kirk
WR3: Jayden Higgins*
WR4: Jaylin Noel*
WR5: John Metchie III
WR6: Justin Watson
WR7: Xavier Hutchinson
WR8: Jared Wayne
ST: Braxton Berrios
Injured Reserve: Tank Dell
With Dell missing most of the season, Houston added two weapons to win in both the slot and on the outside. Given that Higgins and Noel played together in Ames, the transition of working together in the pros should come easily.
Tight end (4)
Aug 31, 2024; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes tight end Luke Lachey (85) looks for yards after catch against the Illinois State Redbirds during the second quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
TE1: Dalton Schultz
TE2: Brevin Jordan
TE3: Cade Stover
TE4: Luke Lachey*
There's a chance for Jordan and Stover to pass up Schultz after a down season, but all three should be on the active roster. Lachey likely takes over as a blocking option with red zone upside, but he'll need a great training camp to ensure there's a spot for him in the 53.
Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings tackle Cam Robinson (74) against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Offensive Line (10)
LT: Tytus Howard , Aireontae Ersery* Trent Brown
LG: Laken Tomlinson , Nick Broeker
C: Jarrett Patterson , Juice Scruggs, Jake Andrews
RG: Tytus Howard , Ed Ingram
RT: Blake Fisher, Zach Thomas
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Robinson might be the best fit for left tackle entering the draft, but Houston's selection of Ersery signals he's the long-term starter after 2025. The bigger question at this point is whether former second-round pick Blake Fisher is ready to transition into a full-time starter, thus allowing Howard to shift inside for good.
Defensive line (13)
Dec 25, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (51) runs onto the field before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
DE: Will Anderson Jr. , Darrell Taylor, Dylan Horton, Casey Toolhill
DT: Sheldon Rankins , Mario Edwards Jr., Kyvontae Hamilton*
DT: Tim Settle, Kurt Hinish, Tommy Togiai
DE: Danielle Hunter, Denico Autry, Derek Barnett, Solomon Byrd
Houston is set on the edge for years to come with nine different options, including three backups who could start for most teams. Hamilton should compete with Hinish and Togiai for second-team reps through camp as a late-round gem.
Linebacker (7)
Jan 11, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) scrambles from Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (0) in the second quarter in an AFC wild card game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
LB1: Azeez Al-Shaair , Jamal Hill
LB2: Christian Harris , Henry To'oTo'o
LB3: E.J. Speed
ST: Nick Niemann, Jake Hansen
Linebacker was a need going into the draft since Harris enters a contract season, but the Texans added E.J. Speed in early April. He'll compete with To'oTo'o and Harris for subpackage reps in DeMeco Ryans' defense. Everything else should remain the same.
Cornerback (8)
Nov 16, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans cornerback Jaylin Smith (2) intercepts a pass intended for Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Isaiah Neyor (18) during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
CB1: Derek Stingley Jr.
CB2: Kamari Lassiter
Slot: Jalen Pitre
CB4: Ronald Darby
ST: Tremon Smith
Depth: Jaylin Smith * Junior Gregory, D'Angelo Ross
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Smith is expected to see action in the nickel and on special teams. It's interesting to see Houston move up in Day 2 for the former Trojan to compete for starting reps after paying a new three-year deal to Pitre literally less than two weeks before the draft. All three starters aren't going anywhere.
Safety (6)
S1: C.J. Gardner-Johnson
S2: Calen Bullock
Dime: Jimmie Ward
S4: Jaylen Reed*
ST: M.J. Stewart
Depth: Russ Yeast
Landing a talent in Gardner-Johnson to shore up the back end of the defense could be a game-changer in the playoffs. He's exactly the type of player that was missing once Pitre went out with a chest injury. The Texans also might have landed his replacement in the fifth round with Reed out of Penn State. If you watch his tape, it like seeing a more undefined CJGJ option.
Oct 6, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans place kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn (15) concentrates before making a 59 yard field goal against the Buffalo Bills in the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
Special teams (3)
K: Ka'imi Fairbairn
P: Tommy Townsend
LS: Tucker Addington
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For the first time in 15 years, someone else than Jon Weeks will be snapping a football. It still remains the end of an era.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Houston Texans: Updated depth chart following 2025 NFL Draft
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