Tag: Texans 2025 NFL Drafr

Potential Texans RB target declares for 2025 NFL Draft

Quinshon Judkins, a top name tied to the Houston Texans, has officially decided on his next course of action.

The Houston Texans need a stable running mate to pair with Pro Bowler Joe Mixon for the long haul down off NRG Drive.

Houston has also targeted an Ohio State player in back-to-back drafts, so adding Quinshon Judkins might be in play for Nick Caserio on Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Judkins, who scored three touchdowns in the national championship, told ESPN on Friday that he will enter the 2025 NFL draft rather than use his final season of collegiate eligibility.

The former Ole Miss-turned-Ohio State star totaled three 1,000-yard campaigns and rushed for 50 touchdowns in two years.

“My time here at Ohio State was like no other,” Judkins told ESPN Pete Thamel. “It was like no other place I’ve ever been. I enjoyed my time here so much. I’m ready to take the next step in my journey and prove I’m best running back in the draft class.”

A two-time first-team All-SEC runner at Ole Miss, Judkins transferred to Ohio State this past offseason to split carries with TreVeyon Henderson. Once again, he led the team in rushing yards (1,060) and rushing touchdowns (14) in less than 200 carries.

In Monday’s national title game, Judikins finished with 100 rushing yards on 11 carries 21 receiving yards on two receptions and three total touchdowns.

While most fans will remember his run through the postseason, Judkins made headlines as a freshman when he broke Ole Miss’ single-season rushing record with 1,567 yards

He also led the SEC in rushing attempts (274) and touchdowns (17) while finishing with 1,699 scrimmage yards.

Judkins, an expected third-round pick, has already proven to be a capable No. 2 running back on paper who can take over games. Houston needs that consistency behind Mixon, who turns 30 next season and already has missed several games each season over the past few years.

The Texans own six picks in the upcoming NFL draft.

Texans lean heavy on offense in latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft

Tyler Booker, Xavier Restrepo and Devin Neal are all names Houston Texans fans should remember heading into draft season.

Alabama offensive lineman Tyler Booker has been a popular pick for the Houston Texans in the first round of mock drafts.

Expect to see his name more as the season dwindles week by week.

In the latest seven-round mock draft from Pro Football Network, the Texans shore up the left guard position with the selection of the Alabama All-American at pick No. 25.

After allowing the third-most sacks this season, everything is about protecting C.J. Stroud for 2025 and beyond. Booker, who allowed two sacks in three seasons, should be a plug-and-play upgrade over the current names on Houston’s roster.

“Booker transformed his body heading into 2024 and his game took the necessary steps along with it,” PFN’s Dalton Miller said. “He’s always played with the requisite violence and natural anchoring ability of a high-end guard, but his body composition aided his athleticism. He’s become a legitimately dominant left guard.”

The Texans have several options at right guard. Shaq Mason could be a cap casualty and cut before the start of free agency. Tytus Howard, who recently shifted over to left guard, could move to the right side if the Texans can rework his contract.

Rookie tackle Blake Fisher also could shift inside should the Texans land a premier right tackle in free agency. Left guard, however, needs a stable option next to five-time Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil.

“If anybody watched the Texans… (ever???) they’d see that left guard for the Houston Texans might be the most obvious team need in the league,” Miller wrote.

PFN also elected to better the Texans’ receiving corps with Tank Dell expected to miss a majority of the regular season and Stefon Diggs hitting free agency. In the second round, Houston secures a new long-term slot receiver in Miami’s Xavier Restrepo.

“Injuries piled onto the Texans’ WR corps in 2024, and although Tank Dell is an undersized player, he played most of his snaps on the outside for Houston,” Miller wrote. “Restrepo is also “undersized,” but at 190 pounds and with the heart of a lion, the Hurricanes’ WR thrives on physicality as a blocker and pass catcher.

His shifty and manipulative route running will make him a dangerous third-down weapon, but he was also a downfield playmaker for Miami. His ability to freestyle when Ward was running around in the backfield makes him a quarterback’s best friend when the pocket collapses, and he adds value as a blocker in the run game.”

To round out the mock draft, PFN paired Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon with Kansas’ Devin Neal in Round 3. On Day 3, Houston added TCU wide receiver Jack Bech, USC cornerback Jaylon Smith and Georgia defensive tackle Nazir Stackhouse,

Houston currently owns six picks in the upcoming draft after trading away a 2025 second-round pick to the Buffalo Bills for Diggs last offseason.

Texans add All-Big Ten DL, All-Conference WR in 2025 NFL mock draft

In the latest mock draft by Pro Football Focus, the Houston Texans shore up both lines and add another weapon for C.J. Stroud.

While the Houston Texans are looking toward the AFC playoffs, the team’s scouting department is starting to formulate an idea on what direction to look in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Defensive tackle remains a dire need. So does the interior offensive line. And after losing Tank Dell for most —if not all — of the 2025 season, wide receiver has moved up the pecking order in Nick Caserio’s to-do list.

The good news? Pro Football Focus has Houston targeting all three positions with its first three picks. At pick No. 23, the Texans bolster their defensive line by targeting All-Big Ten defensive tackle Kenneth Grant from Michigan. 

Here is PFF’s Gordon McGuinness’ commentary on Grant:

The Texans are really strong at edge defenders, as Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter give them one of the top pass-rushing duos in the NFL. Adding to their defensive interior would be wise though, and if Grant is still on the board when they make their selection, he would make a lot of sense.

At pick No. 55, the Texans improve their pass protection with an anchor at guard in Georgia’s Tate Ratledge.

Here’s McGuinness’ note on Ratledge.

Ratledge has been one of the best pass-blocking guards in all of college football throughout his time at Georgia, earning an 80.0-plus PFF pass-blocking grade in each of the past three seasons, and allowing just 13 total pressures from 1,016 pass-blocking snaps since 2021.

In Round 3, Houston swipes perhaps the most underrated receiver prospect in the draft with the selection of Colorado State’s Tory Horton at pick No. 87. The two-time All-Mountain West was coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with the Rams before suffering a season-ending knee injury against San Jose State.

Here’s McGuinness’ thoughts on Horton.

The Texans offense suffered when Tank Dell got hurt in 2023, and when Nico Collins got hurt this year, so investing a top-100 draft pick on a wide receiver would make a lot of sense. Horton has averaged over 2.70 yards per route run in each of the past three seasons.

Currently, the Texans own the No. 19 pick, though given their playoff status, that’s subject to change.

Houston closes out the regular season on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT.