Who will the Houston Texans select at pick No. 25 when on the clock at the 2025 NFL draft next month? Will it be a wide receiver?
An offensive tackle?
A defensive lineman?
Wrong to all three despite each position being a part of the top needs for the club. Instead, the Texans add an offensive weapon inside to help with the short passing attack.
In a new mock draft from PFF, Houston takes one of the nation's better targerts in Michigan tight end Colston Loveland, ensuring that C.J. Stroud has a target who moves chains and presents positive outlooks.
"Loveland lacks the density to play as an inline tight end consistently in the NFL, but he brings plenty of value as a tall, long pass catcher with natural hands and crisp routes to line up as a big slot or “X” receiver," PFF wrote. "He also has some versatility to play attached to the line of scrimmage in certain situations."
While Loveland won't transform into the next George Kittle or Sam LaPorta, he still has the potential to be a high-end slot target similar to Dalton Schultz or Kyle Pitts. The 6-foot-6 weapon was on-pace for a career-year before being limited to 10 games.
He still finished with a career-high 56 receptions for 582 yards and five touchdowns. While Loveland underwent shoulder surgery this offseason, world-renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal Elattrache sent a letter to all 32 NFL teams informing them that he'd be cleared for all drills at the start of training camp.
The Texans could use a tight end for the long-term but at No. 25? Even though Loveland would serve as a "big slot" rather than a traditional "Y" player, that also could have a negative effect since Houston traded for Christian Kirk, a slot-only receiver who shined during his time in Jacksonville.
Anything is possible, but this seems like a "last resort" to stay in the first-round move rather than a game-changer for the roster.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: NFL Draft: Texans land do-it-all offensive weapon in PFF's new mock
