Houston Texans Rookie Film Analysis: Luke Lachey

Texans last pick has a great shot to make the roster

Round four of my breakdown of every Texans pick from the 2025 NFL Draft takes us to the last pick in this class. I want to highlight a player under-evaluated through the draft process. Luke Lachey fell down draft boards and into the Texans’ lap with the 255th pick partially due to injury and partially due to the mundanity of Iowa’s offense in 2024.

Past Texans 2025 Draft Pick Film Reviews:

Jaylin Noel

Woody Marks

Kyonte Hamilton

Lachey is an intriguing case; his best season was in 2022 where he caught 28 passes as the TE2 next to future star Sam LaPorta. That season he also hauled in four touchdowns to LaPorta’s one. Lachey was tabbed as the “next great Iowa tight end” before his 2023 season was cut short after just three games due to an ankle injury. In 2024, he was the second leading receiver in Iowa’s offense with (only) 28 catches, which isn’t saying much.

Let’s dive into the film watched for this analysis:

Games watched: vs. Northwestern, at Ohio State, at Iowa State, vs Nebraska

It’s evident his ankle injury took a toll on his play. He doesn’t explode off the line of scrimmage, but rather gains speed 5-10 yards into route. Lachey isn’t shifty either; once he secures the ball—treating it like an uncut gem—he charges straight ahead until someone chops him down. Even so, Lachey was more productive early in 2024 rather than later due to anemic quarterback play down the stretch.

One noticeable curiosity is that he’s a hands catcher when running routes, but body catches balls on curl or sit routes. It’s extremely odd and shows up on tape consistently. Corner and post routes are where Lachey shines, but due to offensive woes he stuck to option, curl and out routes.

Run blocking is where his potential fit is prevalent. Iowa deployed him as a weak side blocker in their zone and power-heavy schemes. He is capable of setting an edge but better at sealing off the backside zone.

Lachey checks all the boxes for a late-round Houston Texan. He’s a team captain, has multiple years of productivity, comes from a big program, and fills a role at position of need.

Strengths:

• Four-time academic All-Big Ten and son of former first round pick Jim Lachey
• Short but diverse route tree
• Athletic; fourth in the vertical, sixth in the broad jump at NFL Combine
• Understands leverage at top of route
• Four first downs on five catches against Ohio State.
• Willing blocker with room to grow into frame and technique

Weaknesses:

• Best film was in 2022 pre-injury; may not have same agility and upfield speed
• Limited downfield speed based on tap, but could be a factor of the offense
• Inconsistent QB play; six QBs in four seasons lends itself to stunted
• Needs 8-10 pounds of muscle mass onto frame; gets dislodged in run game too easily
• Out routes require too many steps in break

The Fit in Houston:

I could make the argument that this seventh rounder may be the best “fit” out of all nine picks in this class. Hear me out:

1. The Texans had statistically the worst blocking tight end group in the league in 2024
2. Brevin Jordan’s and Cade Stover’s injuries in 2024 both limit their upside and stunted their growth in a season they were needed dearly
3. Dalton Schultz is 28 and disappeared from the offense until the last few weeks
4. New OC Nick Caley is a former tight ends coach

Conceptually, Lachey could fight for the last remaining roster spot and not suit up on game days. However, he would benefit from two months on the practice squad before being elevated.

Overall Analysis:

Possibly the hardest film review I’ll have to complete all offseason due to the Iowa offense being debilitatingly boring, Lachey had to adapt to three different QBs with completely different capabilities. He excelled the most with a pass-first QB that allowed him to find openings in defenses and be a check down option.

I don’t believe Lachey is this ‘run blocking prodigy’ he’s being heralded as, and there isn’t much pass blocking film either. He was rarely used on the run-side and was more utilized sealing the back side of the play.

As for the pass game, he had good hands and knows the position well, but he doesn’t jump off the tape with acceleration or athleticism after the catch. I don’t see him as a red zone threat either based on his utilization at Iowa.

All said, Lachey is a technically sound and well-rounded tight end who should fit the offense well in 2025. He fits a need, but needs to get back to full strength before he can make an impact in Houston.