Texans GM Nick Caserio reveals multiple options were on the table for a Round 1 trade up

USA Today

02-05-2025

Texans GM Nick Caserio reveals multiple options were on the table for a Round 1 trade up
Texans GM Nick Caserio reveals they tried to trade up in this year's draft, but traded out of the first round instead. 👀 pic.twitter.com/vu85FR21Kq — Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) April 30, 2025
It wasn't surprising to see the Houston Texans move up and down draft locations last week throughout the seven rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft. At this point, general manager Nick Caserio staying still feels more concerning and posititve given his track record.
But the Texans seemed fully intent on moving up in the draft for an interior offensive lineman. Rumors speculated that Alabama's Tyler Booker or Ohio State's Donovan Jackson were favorites to join the AFC South squad after impressive Pro Days and top-30 visits.
It takes two to tango, and the Dallas Cowboys reportedly wanted a second first-round pick to move down 13 spots. Even though it would have only been one pick lower, the Minnesota Vikings were asking for a King's overhaul for Houston to move up and select Jackson. Given the pricing, the Texans dropped nine spots into Friday afternoon and selected Iowa State wide receiver Jayden Higgins at pick No. 34.
Yet, according to Caserio thought things could've ended up looking drastically different for the Texans if one franchise was willing to play hardball. During an interview on 'The Up & Adams Show' with Kay Adams, Caserio mentioned that the Cowboys were just one of several teams Houston caled to move up.
"We were scheduled to pick at 25. We had about a handful of players over the course of Thursday that we felt comfortable picking," Caserio said. "We tried to move up a little bit. It didn't really work out, then I'd say in about the 18, 19, 20 range, we started to get some calls about our pick."
The Texans still could have targeted Jackson at No. 25, but they were at the mercy of Los Angeles and Minnesota, two teams needing upgrades to the interior offensive line. One went with running back with Omarion Hampton at No. 22.
Texans GM Nick Caserio reveals they tried to trade up in this year's draft, but traded out of the first round instead. 👀 @heykayadams | @nickcaserio pic.twitter.com/wwfeATcqER — Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) April 30, 2025
Two picks later, the Vikings took Jackson, leading to the Giants' trade up for Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart.
"After Minnesota picked, then we were able to consummate the trade with the Giants," Caserio said. "So, scooted back there to the second round, and then had the second pick there to start Friday, and we were ready to go."
Looking back at the draft, Caserio and the Texans didn't seem high on the offensive line class outside of the top 50 picks. Minnesota offensive tackle Ariontae Ersery was the only name the Texans seemed interested in on Day 2 and required a trade up 10 spots with Las Vegas for the selection to be finalized.
The deal could be wise depending on how Higgins performs, but at least Texans fans realize that part of the reason Houston couldn't strike a deal for more linemen was because teams didn't want to play hardball.