2025 NFL mock draft roundup: Texans target offensive weapon, OT with pick No. 25
The Houston Texans have been dubbed a loser of free agency after several moves shocked the league during the early stages of free agency.
The Texans are starting over on the offensive line, including shipping five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil off to the Washington Commanders in exchange for four future draft picks. Houston also released veteran Shaq Mason and traded Kenyon Green to the Philadelphia Eagles, though at least that move welcomed do-it-all defensive back C.J. Gardner Johnson to the secondary.
Houston must continue to fix the offense. On top of needing a starting long-term left tackle and guard, the Texans need a stable No. 2 receiver to pair alongside Nico Collins and Christian Kirk. Finding stability at the center position might not be the worst option, either.
We've rounded up the latest 2025 NFL mock drafts, where experts believe the Texans will turn their attention to a top offensive skill player, including multiple tackles with the 25th overall pick, after the first wave of free agency.
USA Today: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
USA Today's Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz: "Between firing offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik and then capping off the detonation of their front by trading away Laremy Tunsil, the Texans sent a clear message that their protection plan for C.J. Stroud wouldn't stand. Now left to build the line from the ground up, Houston could turn to Simmons, who has all the traits of a high-end pass protector but is coming off a torn patellar tendon suffered in October."
CBS Sports: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
CBS Sports' Josh Edwards: "Houston taking an offensive lineman in the first round feels like one of the greatest certainties in the draft after trading both Laremy Tunsil and Kenyon Green. The Texans now must reconstruct an offensive line that has been depleted."
FOX Sports: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
FOX Sports' David Helman: "Simmons said at the NFL Combine that he's on track in his recovery from the patellar injury that ended his season. If that's true, he might not hang around this long. It's hard to project when we don't know the specifics, but if he's got a clean bill of health, then he makes a lot of sense as the first building block for the Texans in the post-Laremy Tunsil era."
NBC Sports: Gray Zabel, OL, North Dakota State
NBC Sports' Eric Froton: "The surprising trade of Laremy Tunsil paints Houston into a corner with this selection, as they will almost assuredly be taking an offensive lineman with one of their first two selections. Zabel has short arms which will limit his utility at tackle, but he showed out in Senior Bowl practices and can play any spot on the line."
Athlon Sports: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
Athlon Sports' Luke Easterling: After trading away Laremy Tunsil, an awful offensive line has gotten that much worse. The rebuild can start with Banks, who has the skills and experience to fill that role, but could also slide inside and be an instant upgrade at guard.
33rd Team: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
33rd Team's Kyle Crabbs: "The latest Tank Dell updates don't paint a favorable picture for the 2025 season. Stefon Diggs doesn't feel like a logical double-down for the Texans. So what did Houston do? They agreed to terms for trading for Christian Kirk. But the Texans should take this adjustment a step further and draft Stroud's old teammate from Ohio State to make this wide receiver corps the hilarious strength it was supposed to be last year before injuries added up."
Sports Illustrated: Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State
Sports Illustrated's Alan Goldshar: "Third-year QB C.J. Stroud needs some protection, and the hyper-athletic Zabel will be a welcome presence in the Houston huddle."
For The Win: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
For The Win's Christian D'Andrea: "With Stefon Diggs a free agent and Tank Dell recovering from a devastating knee injury, it's time to replenish the Texans' receiving corps. While snagging an interior lineman like Tyler Booker here would help, the amount of veterans available in free agency and later in the draft makes Burden’s exclusivity a selling point.
Burden is a shape-shifter who can thrive as a sideline threat or devastating chain-mover over the middle. He’s got great hands and vision to pair with explosive acceleration for big gains after the catch. He’s also a powerfully built blocker who can help create space on off-tackle runs.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: 2025 NFL mock draft roundup: Texans target trio of offensive talent
-
2025 NFL mock draft roundup: Bears target top skill players at No. 10
In our latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft roundup, experts believe the Bears will target two of the top offensive players with the 10th overall pick.Yahoo Sports - 15h -
Jaguars make obvious pick in post-free agency 2025 NFL mock draft
The Jacksonville Jaguars made the obvious pick in a post-free agency 2025 NFL mock draft.Yahoo Sports - 15h -
Who do Colts pick in post-free agency 2025 NFL mock draft?
Following the initial wave of NFL free agency, who did the Indianapolis Colts pick in the first round of a recent 2025 NFL mock draft?Yahoo Sports - 15h -
Latest composite 2025 NFL mock draft
Breakdown of the first round of the 2025 NFL draft using a composite of four mock drafts to see latest mock trends.Yahoo Sports - 16h -
Patriots trade for two firsts in post-free agency 7-round mock draft
The New England Patriots trade for two first-round picks in this post-free agency 2025 NFL mock draft.Yahoo Sports - 6h -
2025 NBA Mock Draft: Duke's Cooper Flagg goes No. 1 ahead of Rutgers' Dylan Harper
Flagg is the top pick in Kyle Boone's mock draft heading into the NCAA TournamentCBS Sports - 2d -
2 trades highlight 49ers post-free agency mock draft
The San Francisco 49ers use the trade market to make six picks in a three-round NFL mock draft after the first big free agency wave.Yahoo Sports - 16h -
NFL announces 35 compensatory picks for the 2025 draft
The NFL awarded a total of 35 compensatory selections to 15 teams in the 2025 draft, the league announced Tuesday.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
2025 NFL draft: List of Bills selections after comp picks are awarded, Kaiir Elam tradde
An updated view of the Buffalo Bills draft picks for the 2025 NFL Draft next month following the trade of Kaiir Elam.Yahoo Sports - 15h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Updated Big Ten men's basketball tournament bracket, schedule after quarterfinal games
With the 2025 Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal nearing completion, here is an updated look at the tournament bracket and television scheduleYahoo Sports - 5m -
Michigan basketball pounces on Purdue for first Big Ten semifinal appearance since 2021
Michigan basketball score: The Wolverines surged in the second half to beat Purdue and return to the Big Ten semifinals first time since 2021.Yahoo Sports - 5m -
State champion Albertus Magnus rolls past Middletown to reach girls basketball Final Four
Defending state Class AA champ Albertus Magnus reaches AAA Final Four with dominant win over Middletown in girls basketball regional finalYahoo Sports - 9m -
Banda scores twice and Orlando routs Chicago 6-0 in NWSL opener
The reigning champion Orlando Pride opened the National Women's Soccer League season on Friday night with a 6-0 home field rout over the Chicago Stars. Barbra Banda scored a pair of goals for the ...Yahoo Sports - 10m -
NWSL club BOS Nation FC says it will announce new name in coming weeks, following significant fan backlash
The new Boston franchise unveiled its name and branding in October, but pivoted after receiving criticism for the name and its publicity campaign.Yahoo Sports - 13m
More in Sports
-
Bruno hits back at Ratcliffe's 'overpaid' comments
Bruno Fernandes has hit back at Sir Jim Ratcliffe's suggestion that some Manchester United players are overpaid by telling the British billionaire "the club agrees to do the contracts."ESPN - 4m -
Updated Big Ten men's basketball tournament bracket, schedule after quarterfinal games
With the 2025 Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal nearing completion, here is an updated look at the tournament bracket and television scheduleYahoo Sports - 5m -
Michigan basketball pounces on Purdue for first Big Ten semifinal appearance since 2021
Michigan basketball score: The Wolverines surged in the second half to beat Purdue and return to the Big Ten semifinals first time since 2021.Yahoo Sports - 5m -
North Carolina game-tying free throw vs. Duke waved off in final seconds after premature lane violation
North Carolina was heartbreakingly close to securing an NCAA Tournament berthCBS Sports - 8m -
State champion Albertus Magnus rolls past Middletown to reach girls basketball Final Four
Defending state Class AA champ Albertus Magnus reaches AAA Final Four with dominant win over Middletown in girls basketball regional finalYahoo Sports - 9m