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.