There's a sizable game for the Houston Texans with their first two picks in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Houston currently owns the No. 25 pick but won't make another selection until pick No. 58 should it not trade down or up ahead of Friday night in Green Bay at Lambeau Field. With a few areas of need across the roster, general manager Nick Caserio must prioritize which positions to target and what the value of reaching or finding a steal, depending on how the board falls at each pick.
NFL.com draft analyst Chad Reuter listed his best fits for each team's first two selections. For the Texans, he handed two surprising picks: Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon at No. 25 and William & Mary offensive tackle Charles Grant at pick No. 58.
"Head coach DeMeco Ryans will likely appreciate how much pressure Harmon puts on interior offensive linemen with his size, length and quickness off the snap. Cam Robinson is presumably in line to take over for the traded Laremy Tunsil, but Robinson was brought in on a one-year deal, and the veteran has had issues staying healthy," Reuter wrote. "Grant's an ascending talent with 34 3/4-inch arms and a fiery attitude who could play outside or inside in the NFL."
The Grant pick might feel like a reach on paper, but it isn't overall. According to KPRC 2 Sports' Aaron Wilson, the Texans plan on meeting with the two-year starter ahead of the draft as one of their top 30 visits. He also was one of the better linemen at the FCS level, allowing three sacks and 14 pressures in over 30 games.
The idea of taking Harmon while still having needs on the offensive line is not unfounded. Defensive tackle has been linked as a position to target for Caserio this offseason, with several mock drafts featuring a player coming off the board at No. 25.
Harmon, who last season totaled five sacks and 11 tackles for loss, is projected to be a late Day 1 option. He very well could be in play for the Texans at No. 25 after a promising performance at last month's combine, though it would likely mean there was a run on offensive tackles and wide receivers.
The only issue with these selections is that it still leaves the Texans incredibly thin at wide receiver. While they have six players under contract, it's the same unit that severely underperformed in 2024 outside of Nico Collins. Even with the arrival of Jacksonville's Christian Kirk, it's not enough to say Houston's overall arsenal has improved.
A No. 2 receiver remains the second-best need for Houston, so the Texans would likely have to target one with their next two picks to give themselves some traction for 2025 and beyond.
This article originally appeared on ...
