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Texans 2025 mock drafts: Who Houston is projected to take in Rounds 2-3

Texans 2025 mock drafts: Who Houston is projected to take in Rounds 2-3

USA Today25-04-2025

Texans 2025 mock drafts: Who Houston is projected to take in Rounds 2-3
The 2025 NFL draft is underway, and the Houston Texans didn't make a pick.
They had one, but much like last season when on the clock at No. 23, they decided to pick up more draft compensation and shift down to Day 2. The New York Giants offered Houston two Day 2 picks and a 2026 third-round selection, thus pushing the back-to-back AFC South champions back nine spots.
"We could have very easily picked. But when we looked at the time we just felt like that value for the trade made a lot of sense from a big picture, organizational planning," Texans general manager Nick Caserio said Thursday evening. "So, that's why we made the decision we did.'
Huston still has some positions to address on Day 2, including offensive tackle, wide receiver, defensive tackle and interior offensive line. Luckily, they have five selections to address those woes and land potential starters along the way.
Caserio anticipates another early run to kick things off on Day 2, where there are still some top prospects on the board, including potentially a player Houston would have taken at No. 25.
"One of the players that we were talking about is actually still on the board, yeah," Caserio said. "Whether or not we actually pick the player, we'll see if that actually happens.'
Here's a look at who the latest mock drafts have the Texans selecting in Rounds 2 and 3.
34. Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri: "Houston traded out of the first round and still lands a solid rookie starter in the slot. Burden III is a playmaker with the ball in his hands and offers instant impact as a returner. Houston can address their other needs with their four remaining picks on Day 2.
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58. Wyatt Milum, OL West Virginia: "Houston traded down and got a receiver earlier on in Round 2 but spend their second pick upgrading the offensive line in front of CJ Stroud. Milum played tackle at West Virginia but projects best inside due to his short arms. With his athleticism and run blocking prowess, he could be a solid starter as a rookie.:
79. Ozzy Trapilo, OT, Boston College
89. Edge Bradyn Swinson, LSU
99. Charles Grant, OT, William & Mary
34. Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri: "C.J. Stroud needs protection up front, so offensive tackle could be an option for the Texans after they traded out of the first round. But adding a legit playmaker who gives off Deebo Samuel vibes feels like great value."
58. Jonah Savaiinaea, G, Arizona: "The Texans' trade out of the first round gave them the opportunity to address two serious needs with possible starters in Round 2. Savaiinaea is a versatile guard who would help keep Stroud upright."
79. Jacob Parrish, CB, Kansas State
89. Anthony Belton, OT, NC State
99. Omarr Norman-Lott, DT, Tennessee
34. Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota: "The Texans have a remade offensive line and traded the No. 25 pick only to see two tackles go after that spot in Round 1. Ersery is the best of the remaining pass blockers and has the upside to play left tackle long term."
58. Jonah Savaiinaea, G, Arizona: "The offensive line makeover shouldn't be done with the selection of Ersery early in Round 2. The Texans could land a powerful guard prospect who has experience at tackle in the 324-pound Savaiinaea."
34. Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M: "And inside-outside rusher to add more pocket-pushing depth in Houston."
58. Jonah Savaiinaea, G, Arizona: "We know the Texans still want to fortify the offensive line in front of C.J. Stroud."
79. Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford
89. Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson
99. CJ West, DT, Indiana
34. Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri: "Burden is an ideal 'five-tool,' multi-sport athlete for the receiver position in the NFL. The first-round talent is as well-rounded as they come, displaying the ability to succeed at any receiver spot in any offense.
58. Jared Wilson, OL, Georgia: "Wilson may be just a one-year starter, but he has the movement skills to be a starting center in the NFL if he can continue to improve his intelligence and anticipation with more snaps."
79. Vernon Broughton, DL, Texas: "Broughton needs to refine his hand placement and technique to become a more effective one-on-one winner at the next level. However, even in his current form, his length and strength provide valuable versatility as a two-gapping defensive lineman, with his best fit likely coming as a 3-4 defensive end."
89. R.J. Harvey, RB, UCF: "Harvey ranks well in PFF's wins above average metric due to high missed tackles forced averages as a rusher and a receiver and his production in the passing game. If he plays with more urgency and violence, he could be a productive NFL running back."
99. Marcus Mbow, OL, Purdue: "Mbow is small and struggles with NFL-level strength in pass protection and when displacing in the run game. But he moves extremely well and should get a shot to start at guard or tackle at some point during his rookie contract."
34. Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri: "The Texans' hopes of adding an offensive lineman dissipated with a few late picks Thursday night. They'll gladly give another weapon to quarterback C.J. Stroud, and Burden's sudden, elusive play style generates explosives."
58. Marcus Mbow, OL, Purdue: "The Texans were tied to offensive tackles and guards in the first round before trading down. Mbow is athletic enough to offer guard/tackle versatility, though his future is likely at guard."
79. Charles Grant, OT, William & Mary
89. Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee
99. Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State
34. Charles Grant, OT, William & Mary
58. J.T. Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State
34. Jonah Savaiinaea, G, Arizona:
58. TJ Sanders, DL, South Carolina
79. Jared Wilson, OL, Georgia
89. Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa
99. Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson
34. Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa
58. Jared Wilson, OL, Georgia
79. T.J. Sanders, DL, South Carolina
89. Mile Frazier, OL, LSU
99. Danny Stutsman, LB, Oklahoma
34. TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
58. Tate Ratledge, IOL, Georgia
79. Shemar Turner, DT, Texas A&M
89. Gunnar Helm, TE, Texas
99. Jordan Burch, EDGE, Oregon

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