Houston Texans 2025 NFL Mock Draft, Another Perspective

Old Dominion v Bowling Green — Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images

Here’s who I see the Texans selecting in the 2025 NFL Draft!

In the last few seasons, the Houston Texans have miraculously rebuilt their roster into a Super Bowl contender through the NFL Draft. Since general Manager Nick Caserio was brought on board in 2021, each draft has ushered in quality starters onto the team. In his first year, the Texans found starters in Davis Mills and Nico Collins. In 2022, they drafted Derek Stingley, Kenyon Green, Jalen Pitre, and Christian Harris. In 2023, Nick Caserio really cranked up the heat with C.J. Stroud, Will Anderson Jr., Juice Scruggs, Tank Dell, Henry To’oTo’o, and Jarrett Patterson! I mean, he just got better and better with each draft! And then, in 2024, they drafted Kamari Lassiter, Blake Fisher, and Calen Bullock. In these four draft classes, the Texans have gathered at least ten players that will be starters to begin the 2025 season, if not more. I think it’s safe to say the Texans’ front office has successfully rebuilt the starting lineup of the entire team, a remarkable achievement when considering the depths of despair Houston was occupying from 2020-22.

Entering his fifth draft at the helm, Caserio now has the luxury of more freedom with his selections since the most glaring needs in the team have been successfully filled. In fact, I think it’s safe to say that this first time in Caserio’s tenure where Houston isn’t on the cusp of collapse due to a glaring need or a lack of depth. This current roster is really, really good…but it still has that offensive line problem. So, considering the state of the team, this has become one of the more interesting drafts to mock since I can see the Texans going in a number of directions with all of their picks. Really the only selection I feel confident about is the first one, where I believe they’ll look to fill in the need at guard with a surefire prospect. But, after that, the world is Nick Caserio’s oyster, so anything is possible.

With that in mind, I decided to take the most athletic, most aggressive players I could think of at each selection. Much has been made about head coach DeMeco Ryans’ SWARM philosophy, so I tried to take players that I believe most embody that mindset. But, there’s many players that you could argue contain that dog mindset of attacking the ball. Just take a look at fellow Battle Red Blog writer Kenneth L.’s latest mock draft, which contains multiple SWARM-y players that aren’t listed here. I recommend taking a few of his mocks into consideration, since much of his opinions on players are shared here. But, with that said, here’s my Houston Texans mock of the 2025 NFL Draft!

Round 1, Pick 25 Overall: Donovan Jackson, Ohio State – G/T

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: NOV 23 Indiana at Ohio State

Height: 6’ 4”
Weight: 315 lbs.
Arm: 33 1/2”
Hand: 9 7/8”
10-Yard Split: N/A; Vertical Jump: N/A; Bench Press: N/A
2024 Statistics: 635 Snaps at LG and LT; 68.5 PFF (61.4 PBLK, 69.3 RBLK); 2 Sacks; 2 Penalties

With their first pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans should select guard Donovan Jackson out of Ohio State University. This may seem like a bit of a reach to some reading, but I am gong to plead my case on why taking an interior lineman of this caliber is worth the first round pick. There are few linemen in this class that are excellent athletes as well as experienced veterans, and Jackson is one of them.

Jackson is a prototypical NFL guard that had a prolific career at one of the most premium college football programs in the country. He has the size, athleticism, and technique of an NFL starter, becoming a rock for three different Ohio State quarterbacks (including C.J. Stroud). At first glance, Donovan Jackson is a day-one starter, and that assumption holds up as you look deeper into him.

If you dig into his tape from the Oregon game or any of the four playoff games Ohio State played en route to becoming National Champions, you’ll see why analysts have chalked him up as an easy pick in the top 50. He eliminates defensive linemen with his strength and sticky hands, he’s got enough acceleration to be the lead blocker on running-plays, and he filled in admirably for left tackle Josh Simmons when he suffered a season-ending injury in that aforementioned Oregon game. There’s too much good in Jackson’s tape to think he’s “too slow” or “too top heavy” to be worth a first round pick. Guard, specifically left guard, has been a thorn in Houston’s side since 2018, and I think it’s about time we just take the most talented interior lineman on the board and call it a day.

Round 2, Pick 58 Overall: Jack Bech, TCU – WR

Height: 6’ 2”
Weight: 215 lbs.
40-Yard Dash: 4.55s; Vertical Jump: 34.5”
2024 Statistics: 12 Games, 62 Receptions for 1,034 Receiving Yards, 16.7 Y/R, 9 TDs
Projected Round: 2-3

Kenneth and I seem to agree on Jack Bech! Now that the Houston Texans have patched their hole at LG with their first round pick, they’ll aim to bolster their receiving corps with Jack Bech. Bech is a unique wide receiver prospect out of TCU, blurring the line between wide receiver and tight end. He probably won’t be blocking well anytime soon, but Bech brings a brutishness to his running style that I know DeMeco Ryans is going to be attracted to. He uses an impressive route-running skill set to get just enough leverage on his defender to make the catch, and then invited contact not unlike Tyler Warren. He’s not fast, but he picks up speed gradually and can be a real YAC monster if given enough space.

The problem in the NFL will be the fact that he doesn’t possess exceptional speed, nor does he possess exceptional size. His tenacity and want for the ball could make an impact in college, but it’s not going to help him at all in the NFL. However, his toolset while running routes and gaining separation is very impressive, so he is capable of finding alternatives to his problem with speed. Will he be able to adjust to bigger, faster professional league?

Round 3, Pick 79 Overall: Harold Fannin Jr. Bowling Green State – TE

Arkansas State v Bowling Green - 68 Ventures Bowl

Height: 6’ 3”
Weight: 241 lbs.
40-Yard Dash: 4.71s; 10-Yard Split: 1.56s Vertical Jump: 34”; Bench Press: 22 Reps
2024 Statistics: 13 Games, 117 Receptions for 1,555 Receiving Yards, 163.3 Y/R, 10 TDs, 9 Rushing Attempts for 65 Yards, 7.2 Y/A, 1 TD
Projected Round: 3-4

Despite flying under the radar, Bowling Green State tight end Harold Fannin Jr. was a record-breaking tight end in 2024 and a finalist for the John Mackey award. He was practically the entire offense for Bowling Green State last year, becoming their version of Penn State’s Tyler Warren and daring the other team to try and tackle him. For being such a giant, Fannin is a smooth receiver with some real speed, and a nightmare sprinting downfield with the ball in his hands. But, the big mystery with Fannin is the fact that this tenacity does not translate to his blocking.

Fannin’s failure to use his massive frame more is a disappointment, and he’s really not great at bending his routes, so his options downfield are limited. Fannin needs to really diversify his portfolio as a tight end in the NFL if he plans on getting snaps or becoming a starter, but if he does successfully, he’ll be a nightmare for opposing defenses. I got to see his impact as a receiver first hand last year when I went to the Penn State vs. Bowling Green State game, and he single-handedly kept his team in contention against a fantastic Penn State team. There was no answer for Harold Fannin Jr. that day, and he nearly ruined Penn State’s entire 2024 season. If he can get stronger and more agile as a receiver, he may be one of steals of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Round 3, Pick 89 Overall: Joshua Farmer, Florida State – DT/DL

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SEP 02 Boston College at Florida State

Height: 6’ 3”
Weight: 305 lbs.
Arm: 35”
Hand: 10 1/4”
40-Yard Dash: 5.11s; 10-Yard Split: 1.77s Vertical Jump: 29”; Bench Press: 26 Reps
2024 Statistics: 12 Games, 513 snaps, 32 Tackles, 8 Tackles for Loss, 4.0 Sacks, 17 Hurries, 63.5 PFF (61.0 RDEF, 71.4 PRSH)
Projected Round: 3

Finally, we get a defender! With the Texans’ selection at 89th overall, they will seek to improve their defensive line even further by drafting DT Joshua Farmer from Florida State. Farmer is a burly and buff interior defender that is capable of powering through blockers with raw strength. With heavy clubs for hands, he gives himself leverage early on in the rush, and became one of the few bright spots of Florida State’s disappointing 2024 season with his disruptive abilities.

Although, despite his size and might, his first step is a bit lethargic and he’s got a real problem with lateral blockers. If Farmer doesn’t win early, he’s probably not winning at all. In top of that, he can have late hands and wide hands, exposing his chest to opposing linemen. If he can tighten up his hands and learn a few counter moves, Farmer has the dimensions to be an NFL starter. But, if not, the wait to find a long-term replacement for D.J. Reader will continue in Houston.

Round 5, Pick 166 Overall: Shaun Dolac, Buffalo – LB

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SEP 07 Buffalo at Missouri

Height: 6’ 1”
Weight: 225 lbs.
40-Yard Dash: 4.63s; Vertical Jump: 35.5”
2024 Statistics: 13 Games, 168 Tackles, 19 Tackles for Loss, 6.5 Sacks, 5 Interceptions IntTD, 5 Pass Deflections
Projected Round: 7-UFA

A 0-Star recruit, Buffalo linebacker Shaun Dolac walked on and defied all expectations and became one of the most productive linebackers of recent history. Garnering over 168 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, and 5 interceptions just last year, Shaun Dolac might have been the most productive player in all of college football last year. I mean, these are ridiculous statistics, it’s almost like he was the only defender on the field! Dolac has become a tremendously instinctive defender who’s nose for the football has only gotten better with time.

But, there’s a reason why a linebacker this productive has fallen into round five: he lacks NFL caliber size, weight and speed. Not unlike 2021 5th-round pick Garret Wallow, Dolac is a productive college linebacker that’ll have significant difficulty transitioning to the NFL’s size and speed. Like Wallow, he will desperately need to increase his weight and strength if he wants a chance to get on the field during regular season games, but if not, he’ll probably only end up being a special teams contributor in Wallow’s fashion.

Round 7, Pick 236 Overall: Hayden Conner, Texas – G

Height: 6’ 6”
Weight: 314 lbs.
Arm: 33 1/4”
Hand: 9 5/8”
40-Yard Dash: N/A; Vertical Jump: N/A; Bench Press: N/A
2024 Statistics: 16 Games, 1,067 Snaps at LG, 70.9 PFF (84.5 PBLK, 65.9 RBLK); 0 Sacks; 3 Penalties
Projected Round: 6

Once we get to these round-seven selections, we’re basically taking shots in the dark. I’m sure the Texans’ front office have people on their big board that they expect to be available in round seven, but there’s so much room for error in predicting where players will go in day three of the NFL Draft that who they end up taking is sort of random. But, we can take educated guesses on what sixth/seventh round prospects Nick Caserio and Co. might take by glancing at the list of players the Texans have met with. Guard Hayden Conner, an experienced offensive lineman, was one of those visits.

Hayden Conner spent his career at Texas brushing soldiers with first-round pick Kelvin Banks, but where Banks benefits from athleticism, Conner suffers from a lack of it. He was a successful, if unimpressive starting left guard for Texas, using his sizing and strength to round out one of the best offensive lines in college football. He’s not exactly fast nor fully balance when engaging the defender, leaving him open to getting beat on the edges. But, despite his unimpressive athletic profile, there’s something to be said about Conner playing over 3,000 snaps for Texas at LG in his four years there and was consistently one of their best pass-blocking players. Being next to Kelvin Banks probably helped, but you can’t be that reliable of a collegiate guard without having some NFL potential. If he’s available at the end of the draft, he’ll probably be one of the very last players that have over two years of starting experience, so he’ll be more than worth the selection.

Round 7, Pick 241 Overall: Justin Walley, Minnesota – CB

Height: 5’ 10”
Weight: 190 lbs.
Arm: 30 3/4”
Hand: 10”
40-Yard Dash: 4.40s; 10-Yard Split: 1.52s Vertical Jump: N/A
2024 Statistics: 10 Games, 2 Interceptions, 1 Int for TD, 10 Pass Deflections, 42 Tackles, 2 Tackles for Loss, 1.0 Sack, 71.1 PFF (71.3 RDEF, 71.3 COV)
Projected Round: 6-7

With their last pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans select: cornerback Justin Walley from Minnesota. Walley is another shot in the dark prospect that I’m placing here purely because Houston has met with him, but he’s got nearly 50 games of experience as a outside corner for the Minnesota Golden Gophers. He’s a bit short if he plans on playing that same position in the NFL, so he’ll probably end up trying to be a slot corner, where his skillset can really be shown off. Walley is a detailed, difficult corner that has become a veteran of mirroring footwork. He keeps his arms up at the point of contact and makes it a pain to catch the ball, even against bigger targets. He’s even a willing run defender, capable of blitzing off the edge with impressive instincts.

But, this sort of aggressiveness may work in college, but in the NFL, everyone is bigger and faster. I worry about Walley’s lack of size and length, where he may have the smarts of a slot corner like Jalen Pitre, but doesn’t have the length and athleticism needed to make tackles. Walley may be great at knowing what to do, but against big receivers and big tailbacks in the NFL, he’ll have serious trouble bringing them down. Still, that upside makes for a great seventh-round selection, as he could make a great depth piece for Houston’s very busy defensive backfield.

And there’s my mock draft! If Houston is carrying a similar philosophy into this draft as I am, they’re going to target their needs on offense early and then transition to raw prospects and defenders as the middle rounds get going. I want to focus on tough, SWARM-y guys to beef up the offense, and then take some shots at improving the defensive line and linebacker group later on. I believe this philosophy will get the Texans what they need to make the Super Bowl, but I am betting on the current state of the defense to be good enough on its own to last another year without much change.

What do you think? Is my mock draft exactly what you’d do, or are you targeting different players in the early rounds? Is there a crucial edge rusher or running back I should have taken instead, like Kenneth L.? Let us know down in the comments below! The draft is here!!!! GO TEXANS!!!