As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, the Houston Texans find themselves at a pivotal point in their franchise’s development. After years of mediocrity and mismanagement, the Texans have embraced a new era under head coach DeMeco Ryans, and their front office is focused on rebuilding the team with a solid foundation. The 2025 draft represents an opportunity for Houston to fill critical gaps on the roster and solidify the future with young, dynamic talent.
Given that the Texans are coming off a promising season and have a good amount of draft capital, they are in a position to make a significant impact in this year’s draft. With several needs to address—most notably quarterback, pass rusher, and wide receiver—Houston will likely be very active on draft day, possibly even trading up to secure their most coveted players. The Texans’ needs are multifaceted, and through strategic trades and well-executed picks, Houston can position itself for a successful future.
This article will look at how the Texans can approach the 2025 NFL Draft, including potential trades, targeting specific positions, and how they can effectively address their needs to build a championship-caliber team.
The Current State of the Houston Texans
Before diving into the draft itself, it’s important to assess where the Texans currently stand as a team. After firing head coach Lovie Smith following the 2024 season, Houston brought in former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans. Ryans is tasked with rebuilding a team that has struggled in recent seasons, and his leadership is expected to bring a renewed sense of direction and discipline to a franchise that has seen too much turnover and underperformance.
Houston finished the 2024 season with a solid record, showing significant improvement in several areas, particularly on defense. However, the Texans still face numerous weaknesses, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. The quarterback position has been a long-standing issue for Houston, with multiple players rotating in and out of the starting role over the years. The Texans need a franchise quarterback to lead the offense and help them compete in a loaded AFC South.
Houston’s Draft Needs
The Texans are positioned to make significant strides in the 2025 season with the right draft selections. Here are the primary needs Houston will aim to address in this draft:
1. Quarterback (Priority No. 1)
The most pressing need for the Texans is undoubtedly at the quarterback position. Over the past few seasons, Houston has rotated through several quarterbacks, but none have been able to establish themselves as the long-term answer. The franchise needs a signal caller who can develop into a true leader and guide the team to success.
As of now, the Texans are expected to pick early in the draft, with a top-five pick that should give them access to one of the top quarterbacks. The ideal option for Houston is to grab a quarterback with both upside and potential. The team is in dire need of someone who can step in immediately and lead the offense—someone who is poised, skilled, and able to execute DeMeco Ryans’ system.
2. Pass Rusher (Priority No. 2)
While the Texans’ defense showed improvement under Ryans, the team still lacks a game-changing pass rusher who can consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks. Pass rush is one of the most important aspects of modern defense, and Houston will need a dynamic edge rusher to create havoc on opposing offenses.
An elite pass rusher would complement the Texans’ solid defensive backfield and give the team a legitimate weapon to disrupt offenses. With an influx of top-tier quarterbacks across the league, pressure on the quarterback will be vital in the upcoming seasons.
3. Wide Receiver (Priority No. 3)
Another area that needs immediate attention is the wide receiver position. The Texans need to provide their new quarterback with weapons on the outside to stretch the field and make the offense more dynamic. While the Texans have a few solid players in place, including Nico Collins, the team needs a true No. 1 receiver who can make plays in crucial moments and become a dependable target.
Houston’s offense is lacking a deep-threat receiver, and this is a critical area for the team to address in the draft. Whether they choose a wide receiver in the first round or trade up to secure one, adding a top-tier receiver is a priority.
4. Offensive Line (Priority No. 4)
No matter who is playing quarterback, protecting the signal caller is paramount. The Texans have had issues along the offensive line for several seasons, and although there are some young players with potential, they could use more depth and consistency across the unit. A strong offensive line allows a quarterback to operate comfortably and gives the offense a balanced attack, especially if they plan to run the ball effectively.
Houston’s Draft Position and Strategy
As of now, the Texans hold multiple high picks in the 2025 draft, with their primary pick projected to be in the top five. Houston has the chance to secure one of the top quarterbacks in this class, such as Caleb Williams from USC, Drake Maye from North Carolina, or Quinn Ewers from Texas.
If the Texans are looking to trade up in the draft, their top target would likely be a quarterback. If they are already in the top five and have their choice of a top signal-caller, the Texans will also look to use subsequent picks to address other areas, such as wide receiver, pass rusher, or offensive line.
Texans Mock Draft: How They Can Address Needs
Based on current projections and draft needs, here’s how the Texans can address their needs in the 2025 draft by strategically trading up and selecting key players:
Trade 1: Moving Up for a Quarterback
In this scenario, the Texans trade up with the Arizona Cardinals, who hold the No. 2 pick, in order to select Caleb Williams, the standout quarterback from USC. Williams is the consensus top quarterback prospect, known for his incredible playmaking ability, poise under pressure, and ability to lead his team to victory.
While the Texans currently hold the No. 4 pick, they likely need to move up to secure Williams, as other teams will be eyeing quarterbacks as well. By trading a combination of draft picks, including their 2025 first-rounder (No. 4 overall), a second-round pick, and potentially a 2026 first-round pick, the Texans could move up to No. 2 overall to guarantee landing Williams.
Why this makes sense:
- Williams’ upside is immense. He has shown elite skills in college, and his ability to make every throw and lead a team will provide the Texans with the franchise quarterback they’ve longed for.
- Trading up ensures Houston gets their QB of the future and sets a foundation for years to come.
Trade 2: Securing a Pass Rusher
After selecting Caleb Williams, the Texans would have to address their defensive line. In this case, Will Anderson Jr., the top pass rusher from Alabama, would be a perfect fit. Anderson is a dynamic edge rusher with exceptional speed and technique, and his ability to generate pressure on the quarterback will give Houston a much-needed weapon on defense.
To secure Anderson, the Texans could trade up from their second-round pick (No. 33 overall) to a mid-first-round pick. The trade could involve offering their second-round pick and a future third-round pick to a team in the 12-15 range. If they can land Anderson, the Texans will have their pass rusher for the future.
Why this makes sense:
- Anderson is a disruptive force who could immediately elevate the Texans’ defense.
- With the Texans investing in both their offense and defense early in the draft, they can rebuild the team’s foundation on both sides of the ball.
Trade 3: Adding a Wide Receiver
The Texans will also need to add a dynamic wide receiver to complement their future quarterback. Marvin Harrison Jr., the star receiver from Ohio State, would be an ideal target. Although Harrison may be a top-five pick, the Texans could explore a trade with the Indianapolis Colts (picking at No. 7), offering their third-round pick and future draft capital to secure the talented wide receiver.
Why this makes sense:
- Harrison Jr. has the ability to become a true No. 1 receiver and provide immediate help for the young quarterback.
- Adding a weapon like Harrison to the offense would help accelerate the development of their new franchise quarterback.
The Houston Texans are at a crossroads in their rebuild, and the 2025 NFL Draft presents an incredible opportunity to solidify the future of the franchise. With smart trades and the right selections, Houston can address its most pressing needs—quarterback, pass rusher, and wide receiver—while building a team that is capable of competing in the AFC South and beyond.
By trading up to select Caleb Williams, securing a top-tier pass rusher like Will Anderson Jr., and adding a weapon in the form of Marvin Harrison Jr., the Texans could quickly transform into a contender. DeMeco Ryans and the front office must be aggressive in making the right moves, and if they play their cards right, the Texans could soon become a team to watch for years to come.
