What the Houston Texans do in the 2025 NFL draft hinges on several questions.
The first comes from the moves made in free agency. Over the next several weeks, Houston hopes to secure an offensive lineman or quality No. 3 receiver. If they secure one, the Texans could pivot toward shoring up the other spot when on the clock at No. 25.
Entering next week’s NFL combine, the Texans seem locked in either drafting a wide receiver or an interior offensive lineman. Should they go the pass-catcher route, look for Texas’ Matthew Golden or Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka to be at the center of talks on Thursday night in Green Bay.
The 33rd Team’s Kyle Crabbs believes Houston won’t have the option of selecting Golden, so it lands Egbuka to create a reunion with former Buckeyes star C.J. Stroud. As a primary slot receiver, Ebguka would serve as the new long-term replacement for All-Pro Stefon Diggs, regardless of whether the Texans bring him back on a one-year deal.
“Egbuka should be considered an underneath, chain-moving option at the NFL level who can provide value in 11p-heavy offenses,” Crabbs wrote. “The Shanahan scheme and all of its branches across the league will likely find ample value in Egbuka’s game on targets that attack the middle of the field.”
During Stroud’s final season in Columbus, Egbuka was the No. 2 weapon behind future first-round pick Marvin Harrison Jr. The duo connected for 74 catches and a career-best 1,151 to match his 10 touchdown receptions en route to a College Football Playoff appearance.
After being limited to 10 games in 2023, Egbuka elected to return for his senior season. The decision proved wise as he notched a second 1,000-yard campaign, serving once more as the No. 2 weapon behind Jeremiah Smith en route to a national championship.
Texans Wire’s John Crumpler recently broke down how Egbuka is a sure-fire pick for the Texans under new offensive coordinator Nick Caley. A willing blocker, the 6-foot target might be limited inside, but he’s essentially the type of target Houston needs for Caley’s offense to elevate in 2025 beyond an average unit.
Knowing the Texans, however, a trade-back shouldn’t be off the table. Houston only has six picks and could be in the market to move back with a chance to grab more draft capital while landing two players for the price of one in Round 1.