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2025 Mock Drafts

Reuter needs to sent for drug testing for his Texans pick. I couldn't imagine a worse scenario. But I do like Dart to the Jets.

Chad, Chad, Chad.

SMH

This trade would probably be the last trade he’d ever get to make as Texans GM.

That is a insane projection and not even close as there are way too many good D choices at 25 and the 2nd-3rd rounds.

This is brilliant. The biggest problem with this team is quality edge rushers. But have we considered trading up for a quarterback?
This is reflective of how little the national media follows the Texans. I didn't go thru this mock with a fine-tooth comb, but I'd bet there are other picks just as stupid as the Texans. OK, maybe not that stupid.
 
Here's a 3 round mock from GBNreport that should get a much better reception. At least Colin Linsay (the site creator) didn't trade all of the Texans picks. If you're not familiar with this draft site, bookmark it. Has a lot of useful info including the draft value chart and a list of traded picks. I've followed GBN report for decades, now.


25 Houston Tyler Booker OG Alabama

58 Houston Jack Bech WR TCU

89 Houston TJ Sanders DT South Carolina
 
Here's a 3 round mock from GBNreport that should get a much better reception. At least Colin Linsay (the site creator) didn't trade all of the Texans picks. If you're not familiar with this draft site, bookmark it. Has a lot of useful info including the draft value chart and a list of traded picks. I've followed GBN report for decades, now.



25 Houston Tyler Booker OG Alabama

58 Houston Jack Bech WR TCU

89 Houston TJ Sanders DT South Carolina

If LG- Booker (Alabama) is on the board at this point….I’m getting the pick up there. I say this knowing SS- Nick Emmanwori is on the board at pick 25.

If I miss out on Emmanwori….I’d shift my focus over to one of the two Penn State Safeties in the draft.

Kevin Winston Jr (6-2 @ 205 lbs / 4.45-40)
or
Jaylen Reed (6-0 @ 209 lbs / 4.50-40)

Winston Jr is one of the best tacklers at the position. Both are downhill hitters in the run game and have the talent to cover anyone over the middle or even downfield. My preference would be Winston Jr….which may depend on where he is on the board.
 
Booker more of a need pick but Nick has a legit shot to be special. Draft Nick, sign a decent depth corner in FA, and you may vie for the top secondary in the league next year.
 
Booker more of a need pick but Nick has a legit shot to be special. Draft Nick, sign a decent depth corner in FA, and you may vie for the top secondary in the league next year.
I like Mukuba/Watts/Starks more than Nick.
 
If LG- Booker (Alabama) is on the board at this point….I’m getting the pick up there. I say this knowing SS- Nick Emmanwori is on the board at pick 25.

If I miss out on Emmanwori….I’d shift my focus over to one of the two Penn State Safeties in the draft.

Kevin Winston Jr (6-2 @ 205 lbs / 4.45-40)
or
Jaylen Reed (6-0 @ 209 lbs / 4.50-40)

Winston Jr is one of the best tacklers at the position. Both are downhill hitters in the run game and have the talent to cover anyone over the middle or even downfield. My preference would be Winston Jr….which may depend on where he is on the board.
Like Zabel versatility lot more, doubt Booker goes 1st rd.
 
Time to throw away his crutches :crutch:
Love Zabel,

Love Donovan Jackson a little bit more.

I'm thinking if you really want to fix the OL,

Draft Jackson at 1-26 and trade up to say 2-35 using 2-58, 3-89 and a 2026 2nd.. That will fix the OL long term. Draft the best blocking TE in the 4th.

Use FA to add 2 WR's and a CB.

This is called protecting CJ at all costs off-season moves.

This isn't what I would do, but it should be on the table.
 
Love Zabel,

Love Donovan Jackson a little bit more.

I'm thinking if you really want to fix the OL,

Draft Jackson at 1-26 and trade up to say 2-35 using 2-58, 3-89 and a 2026 2nd.. That will fix the OL long term. Draft the best blocking TE in the 4th.

Use FA to add 2 WR's and a CB.

This is called protecting CJ at all costs off-season moves.

This isn't what I would do, but it should be on the table.
Interested on your thoughts why, you like Donovan Jackson more than Zabel. He did help Ohio State win the National Championship, while playing against best of best but he gives me Tunsil/Howard vibes.

I’m more interested in Zabel because of his high football IQ, nastiness and leadership, plus versatility.
 
Interested on your thoughts why, you like Donovan Jackson more than Zabel. He did help Ohio State win the National Championship, while playing against best of best but he gives me Tunsil/Howard vibes.

I’m more interested in Zabel because of his high football IQ, nastiness and leadership, plus versatility.
Jackson has played very well against the best competition. He's got experience picking up stunts in pass pro and is a great athlete. I'm beginning to think that Jackson may not make it to 1-26.

Former Packers scout Bryan Broaddus (Who I respect a lot has Zabel going in the 3rd. I doubt this happens but if it does I'm picking Jackson at 1-26 and Zabel at 2-58.
 
Jackson has played very well against the best competition. He's got experience picking up stunts in pass pro and is a great athlete. I'm beginning to think that Jackson may not make it to 1-26.

Former Packers scout Bryan Broaddus (Who I respect a lot has Zabel going in the 3rd. I doubt this happens but if it does I'm picking Jackson at 1-26 and Zabel at 2-58.
Honestly, it would be so refreshing have a guard who knows how to pick up stunts
 
Interested on your thoughts why, you like Donovan Jackson more than Zabel. He did help Ohio State win the National Championship, while playing against best of best but he gives me Tunsil/Howard vibes.

I’m more interested in Zabel because of his high football IQ, nastiness and leadership, plus versatility.
I'm always a little worried about small school talent, but Zabel handled himself very well at the Senior Bowl. Every line - offensive or defensive - needs at least one dude who brings nastiness. Right now, our offensive line has no one like that.
 
I'm always a little worried about small school talent, but Zabel handled himself very well at the Senior Bowl. Every line - offensive or defensive - needs at least one dude who brings nastiness. Right now, our offensive line has no one like that.

I believe the Texans do have some of those nasty OL on their roster:
Fisher- ND
Patterson- ND
Scruggs- Penn State
Broeker- Ole Miss
You can’t be a candyarse and crack the starting lineups at these schools. Tough running game schools that expect success. These guys may be better suited to a bit more of a smash-mouth blocking scheme versus a finesse zone scheme.
 
I believe the Texans do have some of those nasty OL on their roster:
Fisher- ND
Patterson- ND
Scruggs- Penn State
Broeker- Ole Miss
You can’t be a candyarse and crack the starting lineups at these schools. Tough running game schools that expect success. These guys may be better suited to a bit more of a smash-mouth blocking scheme versus a finesse zone scheme.
Maybe we'll see more of that with our new OC
 
I did a trade down with the Giants and then traded back into the 5th with the Bucs. I double dipped with DT. If those two can both be starters by year 2, we'll be giving opposing offenses hell for many years. It will also stop the one-year rentals at that position. Reed becomes the eventual replacement for Ward and solidifies the backend. Demeco can hopefully work his LB magic on Kiser. Zabel fills big need at IOL. Depending on what happens with Diggs, Royals competes for WR2 or WR3.

Screenshot (249).png
 
Here it goes. I did 3 different mock drafts with no repeat players. For the 3rd, I did a trade out of the 1st round.

Rd 1 Mathew Golden WR or Emeka Egbuka- I know I know. There are 2 players here. I really like both guys as WR options in the first. I think either guy would be a good complement to Nico.
Rd 2 TJ Sanders- He’s a pin back the ears, high motor DT that would be excel in the swarm defensive front.
Rd 3 Kevin Winston Jr- I think injury might cause Winston to fall in the draft. Before the season he was considered a first round talent. A lengthy, explosive player with elite tackling ability that could be an eventual Ward replacement.
Rd 4 Luke Kandra OG- I might like Kandra more than some. High IQ blocker with good awareness who could be a good option to replace Mason.
Rd 5 Jackson Hawes TE- blocking TE with a mauler mentality.
Rd 7 Tre Stewart- this is a more of an underrated player in this stacked RB class. I don’t think he gets talked about because he played at Jacksonville State. He has excellent vision and is one of the better pass pro blockers in the class.


Rd 1 Grey Zabel OG- He’s the senior bowl darling, but he’s a D*mn good football player. He’d provide immediate impact on the interior with pro bowl potential down the line.
Rd 2 Elijah Arroyo TE- separating TE with good hands and nuanced route running. I think Nick Caley could scheme him open for CJ to have a reliable option for years.
Rd 3 Jaylin Noel WR- quick footed route runner that creates separation and has return ability. He was co-captain in ‘23 & ‘24.
Rd 4 Joshua Farmer DT- high ceiling DT with good strength and size. He flashes as a pass rusher that could develop into a nice player on the interior.
Rd 5 Quincy Riley CB- fluid CB that could be some much needed depth in our CB room. He performed well at the senior bowl, but needs some development in his awareness and reaction time.
Rd 7 Dante Trader Jr S- highly competitive and heavy hitting safety. He seems like he’d fit right in with our DB room.

As I stated earlier, with this 3rd mock I coordinated a trade out of the first round with NE. We get picks 38 and 77, and they receive 25 and a (‘26) 7th rounder.

Rd 2 (38) Derrick Harmon DT- excellent blend of size and strength with an arsenal of skills to play up and down the line. There’s a chance that he doesn’t last until this pick, but I could see Demeco having a lot of fun with a player of this caliber.
Rd 2 (58) Donovan Jackson OG- 3 year starter that is physical blocker with good punch. He could even give flexibility at tackle since he performed well this year when OSU lost its LT.
Rd 3 (77) Jack Bech WR- big bodied WR with excellent ball skills and provides a nastiness mentality when it comes to blocking.
Rd 3 (89) Devin Neal RB- low mileage RB that has good vision, patience, and receiving capability. I think he’d be great to have behind Mixon.
Rd 4 (127) Terrance Ferguson TE- well built TE with a low drop rate. Another weapon for Caley to mold.
Rd 5 (167) Robert Longerbeam CB- scrappy corner that’s really good in zone coverage. We need depth at CB.
Rd 7 (243) Efton Chism WR- Shrine bowl standout slot receiver with sticky hands and great separation ability. He might not last this long, but I’d grab him to add a different skill set from our other WRs.
 
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I’d take any of those three drafts. It’s early and guys will bounce around on boards, but as of today I don’t see Donovan Jackson is unlikely to last to 2.58.
That’s fair. I think he played himself up the board. I just can’t tell which guys would be around our pick in the second. My hope is that a run on the DL or RBs push him down the board.
 
Here it goes. I did 3 different mock drafts with no repeat players. For the 3rd, I did a trade out of the 1st round.

Rd 1 Mathew Golden WR or Emeka Egbuka- I know I know. There are 2 players here. I really like both guys as WR options in the first. I think either guy would be a good complement to Nico.
Rd 2 TJ Sanders- He’s a pin back the ears, high motor DT that would be excel in the swarm defensive front.
Rd 3 Kevin Winston Jr- I think injury might cause Winston to fall in the draft. Before the season he was considered a first round talent. A lengthy, explosive player with elite tackling ability that could be an eventual Ward replacement.
Rd 4 Luke Kandra OG- I might like Kandra more than some. High IQ blocker with good awareness who could be a good option to replace Mason.
Rd 5 Jackson Hawes TE- blocking TE with a mauler mentality.
Rd 7 Tre Stewart- this is a more of an underrated player in this stacked RB class. I don’t think he gets talked about because he played at Jacksonville State. He has excellent vision and is one of the better pass pro blockers in the class.


Rd 1 Grey Zabel OG- He’s the senior bowl darling, but he’s a D*mn good football player. He’d provide immediate impact on the interior with pro bowl potential down the line.
Rd 2 Elijah Arroyo TE- separating TE with good hands and nuanced route running. I think Nick Caley could scheme him open for CJ to have a reliable option for years.
Rd 3 Jaylin Noel WR- quick footed route runner that creates separation and has return ability. He was co-captain in ‘23 & ‘24.
Rd 4 Joshua Farmer DT- high ceiling DT with good strength and size. He flashes as a pass rusher that could develop into a nice player on the interior.
Rd 5 Quincy Riley CB- fluid CB that could be some much needed depth in our CB room. He performed well at the senior bowl, but needs some development in his awareness and reaction time.
Rd 7 Dante Trader Jr S- highly competitive and heavy hitting safety. He seems like he’d fit right in with our DB room.

As I stated earlier, with this 3rd mock I coordinated a trade out of the first round with NE. We get picks 38 and 77, and they receive 25 and a (‘26) 7th rounder.

Rd 2 (38) Derrick Harmon DT- excellent blend of size and strength with an arsenal of skills to play up and down the line. There’s a chance that he doesn’t last until this pick, but I could see Demeco having a lot of fun with a player of this caliber.
Rd 2 (58) Donovan Jackson OG- 3 year starter that is physical blocker with good punch. He could even give flexibility at tackle since he performed well this year when OSU lost its LT.
Rd 3 (77) Jack Bech WR- big bodied WR with excellent ball skills and provides a nastiness mentality when it comes to blocking.
Rd 3 (89) Devin Neal RB- low mileage RB that has good vision, patience, and receiving capability. I think he’d be great to have behind Mixon.
Rd 4 (127) Terrance Ferguson TE- well built TE with a low drop rate. Another weapon for Caley to mold.
Rd 5 (167) Robert Longerbeam CB- scrappy corner that’s really good in zone coverage. We need depth at CB.
Rd 7 (243) Efton Chism WR- Shrine bowl standout slot receiver with sticky hands and great separation ability. He might not last this long, but I’d grab him to add a different skill set from our other WRs.
1. I'm meh on this mock

2. Is realistic and possibly could happen. Would love this draft, one of the best IOL in the draft. Playmakers everywhere.

3. Would love this draft, but it's unrealistic

Great job throwing out options.
 
1. I'm meh on this mock

2. Is realistic and possibly could happen. Would love this draft, one of the best IOL in the draft. Playmakers everywhere.

3. Would love this draft, but it's unrealistic

Great job throwing out options.
Do you think 3 is unrealistic because the players wouldn’t be available? Or because we won’t be able to trade back?
 
Do you think 3 is unrealistic because the players wouldn’t be available? Or because we won’t be able to trade back?

Players won't be available.
I think we're getting too hung up on the players availability. It's still a little premature to definitively nail down players. But as far as positions taken, @TexansFan15 mock seems realistic. That's what I'm looking at now, groups of players that may be in the area the Texans are drafting. And that could change as the Texans move around the board.

For instance, taking a DT with the initial selection. Are they looking at a 3 technique to get to the passer, or a nose to occupy blockers and push the pocket and force to QB into the arms of the edge rushers? If the former, you're looking at guys like Derrick Harmon or TJ Sanders. If the latter, maybe Kenneth Grant or Deone Walker. Do that with every position the Texans may be looking at and you have a pool of players in the area the Texans select. That can also tell you how likely someone from that pool will be available if you trade back X number of spots.
 
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With the Texans cap situation, I believe the team will have to hit the draft hard. Any money put back on the books via June 1st cuts should be directed towards extensions and signing the teams FA’s.

With this in mind, the Texans “must” gain additional draft capital, and this would primarily be achieved by trading out of RD1.

I’ve seen the Jets bandied about as a good trade partner and it’s funny, on the PFN Simulator one of the very few initiated trades allowed to go through is with the Jets. I did a Mock Draft with a Jets trade and walked away with this deal:

Jets Get:
RD1-025
RD7-243

Texans Get:
RD2-042
RD4-109
RD5-157
RD6-188

Texans have 8 picks between 41-189. There’s a lot of talent in that space. I’m typing in this draft b/c my touchscreen was loading slowly and I inadvertently drafted a RB with pick 109. I did cross reference the available players between 89-109 and discovered there was no one on my radar. Players available between 109-127 were there for the taking. So here’s the Mock:

RD2-042: LG- Donovan Jackson (Ohio State) / Plug-N-Play starter. Nasty demeanor.
RD2-058: WR- Isaiah Bond (Texas) / Need a WR with take the top off defenses speed…Bond is the guy.

RD3-089: RB- Dylan Sampson (Tennessee) / 4.19-4.37 40 speed would be welcomed while working with Mixon. Does everything a RB needs to do. Mentoring with Mixon would be invaluable.

RD4-109: SS- Jaylen Reed (Penn State) / Imposing hitter in the run game and the ability to cover the TE, RB, or SWR. Good size for the position.
RD4-127: OT- Jack Nelson (Wisconsin) / Perfect Swing Tackle for next season while being groomed to play either T position in 2026 when the team can finally break free of Tunsil’s contract. Nasty demeanor is much needed on the Texans OL.

RD5-157: DT- Jordan Phillips (Maryland) / A gifted and freakish athlete in the middle. He’ll be a rotation guy from the start.
RD5-167: WR- Dont’e Thornton (Tennessee) / Thornton’s Pro Day should open some eyes b/c of his size and speed. Very good catch radius. He also had a freakish AVG from 2021 - 2024 (19.4 / 21.5 / 17.2 / 25.4) in the SEC. This guy is every bit as big as Nico Collins, and could be as fast or faster. He will not remain in his current projected spot after his Pro Day.

RD6-188: DE- Ty Robinson (Nebraska) / Could be JJ Watt type. Ty possesses an endless motor and has amazing size and tenacity. He can play anywhere along the DL. For me, he’s 6-6 @ 310 lbs…..and if Ryans and the team trainers could get him to 285 lbs….he could be a beast at DE and a steal in RD6. He has improved his stock with a very nice 2024 season at DT, but I think he’d be in line for much more as a trimmed down DE.

I believe this draft would really help the Texans now and down the road.
 
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Found this guy about a year ago... an entertaining and real dude...not sure how good is or isn't, but I like his product either way.
I like this guy, well thought out.

Love Zabel, best C in the draft.

Give me Alfred Collins or Darius Alexander in rd 2 over Harmon

Mason Taylor in rd. 3. I dont like Wilson this high.
 
I like this guy, well thought out.

Love Zabel, best C in the draft.

Give me Alfred Collins or Darius Alexander in rd 2 over Harmon

Mason Taylor in rd. 3. I dont like Wilson this high.
Alfred Collins is the Plug and Play Nose tackle that we could use on this defense. I can easily mock University of Texas players to us through Round 4
 
Mock #2 for me. I never do trades. Just too many variables and unknowns. I am running under the assumption we’re signing a starting guard in FA. I did find a potential answer at center in the 5th. He’s coming off an ACL or he would be a round or maybe 2 rounds higher. My other priorities were weapons on offense, starting help at DT, and quality depth at corner.

1740250951430.png
 
Mock #2 for me. I never do trades. Just too many variables and unknowns. I am running under the assumption we’re signing a starting guard in FA. I did find a potential answer at center in the 5th. He’s coming off an ACL or he would be a round or maybe 2 rounds higher. My other priorities were weapons on offense, starting help at DT, and quality depth at corner.

View attachment 15278
Very realistic and a great draft.

I think you would have to draft Arroyo at 2-58 and Restrepo at 3-89. I really like the last 3 picks of your mock.

If you had this draft, then you would need to add an OG or 2 in /fa and a S, or bring back Murray.

Great job, I hope the draft falls this way. Put Nolen between WA/Hunter and you'll have one of the best DL's in the NFL.
 
Very realistic and a great draft.

I think you would have to draft Arroyo at 2-58 and Restrepo at 3-89. I really like the last 3 picks of your mock.

If you had this draft, then you would need to add an OG or 2 in /fa and a S, or bring back Murray.

Great job, I hope the draft falls this way. Put Nolen between WA/Hunter and you'll have one of the best DL's in the NFL.
Double post
 
Very realistic and a great draft.

I think you would have to draft Arroyo at 2-58 and Restrepo at 3-89. I really like the last 3 picks of your mock.

If you had this draft, then you would need to add an OG or 2 in /fa and a S, or bring back Murray.

Great job, I hope the draft falls this way. Put Nolen between WA/Hunter and you'll have one of the best DL's in the NFL.
Nolen plays too high and his motor is an issue. If I were draft today, Kenneth Grant or the safety from South Carolina #7 would be my 1st rd pick
 
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Nolen plays too high and his motor is an issue. If I were draft today, Kenneth Grant or the safety from South Carolina #7 would be my 1st rd pick

I did take those criticisms into account, but we have seen Meco do some special **** with his tackles. And I think he fits what Meco wants in his tackles. Refine his technique and light a fire under his butt…and you’ve got a stud. I think Meco likes his tackles to be upfield rushing types with some explosiveness to their game…instead of bigger clog the middle types. Nolan reminds me a bit of a younger Denice Autry. Might be a little bigger…I think he could potentially play some end as well if necessary although tackle is likely his home.

Goes without saying, but I trust DeMeco. If he chooses Grant…I’m 100% onboard.
 
Nolen plays too high and his motor is an issue. If I were draft today, Kenneth Grant or the safety from South Carolina #7 would be my 1st rd pick
Man Jalen Carter looks like one of the best players in the NFL.

We all miss some.

We generally have the same philosophy though.

You can teach a guy to play with better leverage though. Speaking of playing with better leverage and not taking plays off, if you could teach Deone Walker this, then you would have a true game wrecker inside with WA and Hunter outside. That would be dominant stuff. Few guys that size move like he does.

I think Grant's going to be really good too.
 
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If I were draft today, Kenneth Grant or the safety from South Carolina #7 would be my 1st rd pick
Nick Emmanwori is an interesting prospect. He's a clone of former Clemson Tiger SS Isaiah Simmons, who went #8 overall to Arizona in the 2020 draft. Simmons ran a sub 4.4 at 6'4" 238 lbs in Indy with exceptional numbers in the jumps. Very productive in college. The question for Simmons was, is he a SS or Will LB at the next level?

Five years later, people are still wondering where Simmons fits in the NFL. Not instinctive or physical enough to play LB. Not instinctive or fluid enough to play Safety. And the same scouts that were gaga over Simmons 5 years ago are going to question how to use a premier athlete like Emmanwori.

If I'm making the decision, I'm taking Emmanwori and counting on my coaches to put him in a position to succeed. But I can understand why some would have trepidation that they're drafting Isaiah Simmons 2.0.
 
Nick Emmanwori is an interesting prospect. He's a clone of former Clemson Tiger SS Isaiah Simmons, who went #8 overall to Arizona in the 2020 draft. Simmons ran a sub 4.4 at 6'4" 238 lbs in Indy with exceptional numbers in the jumps. Very productive in college. The question for Simmons was, is he a SS or Will LB at the next level?

Five years later, people are still wondering where Simmons fits in the NFL. Not instinctive or physical enough to play LB. Not instinctive or fluid enough to play Safety. And the same scouts that were gaga over Simmons 5 years ago are going to question how to use a premier athlete like Emmanwori.

If I'm making the decision, I'm taking Emmanwori and counting on my coaches to put him in a position to succeed. But I can understand why some would have trepidation that they're drafting Isaiah Simmons 2.0.
Emmanwori has body of safety/lb but hips/feet; laterals and back pedal of a corner.
He and Jahdee Barron and Alfred Collins would be sweet on Ryans defense.
 
Mock #2 for me. I never do trades. Just too many variables and unknowns. I am running under the assumption we’re signing a starting guard in FA. I did find a potential answer at center in the 5th. He’s coming off an ACL or he would be a round or maybe 2 rounds higher. My other priorities were weapons on offense, starting help at DT, and quality depth at corner.

View attachment 15278
You nailed and I would be very okay with this draft. Restrepo is a excellent slot and you did not address the outside but I'm okay with that. Riley is a under the radar cornerback who is very good. You don't see him mention often and it mock draft. Good work!
 
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