The 2025 regular season has been quite and interesting one for the Houston Texans: they kicked off the season by going 0-3, practically left for dead by much of the football viewing public, and now have since gone 6-2, most recently defeating the mighty Buffalo Bills in the final seconds of Thursday Night Football. Recuperated and reenergized, the Texans have to thank multiple rookies for their return to playoff competition, but some have done more for the team than others. Which rookies have been the most important?
In this draft class where offense was the clear focus, which of the many new players is most responsible for Houston’s improvement down the stretch? And, who’s most at fault for their slow start in September? Well, now that we’re squarely in the middle of the regular season, I think it’s about time to revisit the 2025 Class and grade them for their performance thus far. Here’s my midseason grades for every 2025 Houston Texans draftee:
Note: Back in April, I posted grades for each draft selection soon after the draft had concluded. If you’d like to see my first impressions of each draftee, click here. The grade’s for this post will be more predicated upon how much they’ve produced (and played) for the Houston Texans football team during the regular season.
Pick 1: Round 2 (34th Overall) – WR Jayden Higgins
- Measurables: Height: 6’4”, Weight: 215lbs, Hand: 9 ½”, Arm: 33 ½”, 40-yard dash: 4.47s, Vertical Jump: 39”, Broad Jump: 10’8”
- Rookie Statistics (As of Week 12): 11 Games (6 Starts), 27 Receptions on 45 Targets (60.0 Ctch%), 294 Yards, 4 TDs, 26.7 Yards per Game
- Grade: B
Jayden Higgins was the Houston Texans’ first pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, so even though they traded down to the second round to get him, Higgins arrived in Texas with expectations already through the roof. The Texans went through a revolving door of wide receivers towards the end of the 2024 season, so Higgins was seen as both a starter and a remedy to their lack of quality depth at the position. Unfortuneately, though, Higgins hasn’t been the immediate plus starter that many might had been hoping for. Higgins only had six targets in the first four games of the season, becoming just another also-ran during a time in which Houston’s offense melted down into an ugly mire. This is not Higgins’ fault by any stretch, but he also was not effective (or open) enough during that stretch to raise the passing offense up and above their abysmal state. Although, he still got at least one catch in every game, using those scant opportunities to prove his size and speed are NFL-caliber.
And then, the Houston Texans travelled to Baltimore in October to face the Ravens, and everything began to change. In that blowout victory, Jayden Higgins caught all four passes thrown his direction for 32 yards, signaling greater determination by Texans offensive coordinator Nick Caley to get him involved. After this game, Higgins would see his role in the offense grow nearly every week, and by the time CJ Stroud went down with a concussion during the Denver Broncos game in week 8, Higgins had become one of his favorite targets. Then, when Davis Mills came in to fill-in for the injured Stroud, Higgins saw the attention put on him explode, with 23 targets in the last three games! Clearly, Caley was starting to really enjoy what he brings to a normally jittery Texans offense.
At multiple points of this season, Jayden Higgins used his smooth route acumen and catch radius to reel in big passes down the middle of the field. His ability to routinely come open in seam routes has become a favorite ploy of the offense, and has already reared its head in a few of his touchdown receptions. On top of that, while not as flashy as his catches, Higgins’ ability as a run-blocker also deserves some praise.
Back in April, Battle Red Blog’s Kenneth Levy had this to say of Jayden Higgins in his film review of the Iowa State receiver:
“As a young wide receiver, Higgins has the tools to become a high-end WR2 in the league. He pairs well with the current cast and has flexibility to play anywhere on the field. While other analysts compare him to Nico Collins or Drake London, he reminds me of a lesser Tee Higgins.”
Houston didn’t receive immediate, high-level production from Jayden Higgins, but his growing role in the offense bodes well for his role as a Texan. He’s become a reliable #2 option behind Nico Collins, with the potential to become much more with Stroud’s incoming return to the lineup.
Pick 2: Round 2 (48th Overall) – T Aireontae Ersery
- Measurables: Height: 6’ 6” Weight: 331 lbs, Arm: 33 ⅛”, Hand: 9 ½”, 40-Yard Dash: 5.01s, 10-Yard Split: 1.75s, Vertical Jump: 29.5”, Bench Press: 25 Reps
- Rookie Statistics (As of Week 12): 748 Snaps (444 Pass Blocking, 246 Run Blocking), 62.6 Pass Blocking PFF grade, 47.0 Run Blocking PFF grade, 5 Penalties (3 Accepted), 7 Sacks, 5 Hits, 18 Hurries
- Grade: A
What a pick! When preparing for the draft, I heard a lot of talk about the great offensive linemen coming out of Ohio State, LSU, and Alabama. I certainly did not hear or read much at all about the Minnesota stalwart tackle Aireontae Ersery. While Ersery was still on many draft boards after finishing a senior season that contained a game where he locked up Abdul Carter and won Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year, he was still a surprising selection when Nick Caserio took him 48th overall in the second round. He did not have the celebrity of a player like Josh Simmons, nor Kelvin Banks, nor Donovan Jackson, but Aireontae Ersery would end up being an unlikely day-one NFL starter, and arguably just as effective as those top selections.
Since becoming the starting left tackle after a failed attempt at playing him on the right side in the first game, Aireontae Ersery provided the highly debated Texans offense a quick cork to plug the gaping hole Laremy Tunsil left when he was traded to the Washington Commanders back in March. He’s got a long way to go before completely replacing Tunsil, but Ersery has shown his patience and stickiness in blocking is a force to be reckoned with. He’s even shown a level of speed and balance I was not expecting at the onset of his professional career, effectively driving back defenders like the 49ers’ defensive end Trevis Gipson and holding off Ravens’ defensive end Odafe Oweh.
Not all of the games have been pretty, though. In the NFL, some defenders have been able to trouble Ersery by bull-rushing straight through him, like Rams in week one and the Jaguars in week three. In total, PFF has credited Ersery with giving up 30 total pressures this season, a far cry from the lockdown tackle that Tunsil was for most of his Houston career. So, it hasn’t been all sunshine and roses on the quarterback’s blindside, yet, Ersery improves week after week, and when the Jaguars returned to Houston for the week ten rematch, Ersery had his revenge against Josh Hines-Allen:
Nearly every week, Ersery takes another step towards being a complete left tackle. He’s not perfect, but he’s already more than capable just halfway through his rookie year. The Tennessee Titan’s edge rusher Arden Key showed last weekend that Ersery is still trying to figure out the bull rush, but I’m going to go out on a limb here and give this selection an A. When considering this pick in the context of how destitute Houston’s offensive line was after they had traded Laremy Tunsil and let go of both starting guards from the 2024 season, Ersery has done just about as well as anyone could have asked him in his first year in the pros. Thus far, he has been Nick Caserio’s most important selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. Taking a risk on Ersery had to pay off, and it did in spades.
Pick 3: Round 3 (79th Overall) – WR Jaylin Noel, Iowa State
- Measurables: Height: 5’ 10”, Weight: 194 lbs., Arm: 29 ½”, Hand: 8 ¾”, 40-Yard Dash: 4.39s, 10-Yard Split: 1.51s, Vertical Jump: 41.5”, Bench Press: 23 Reps
- Rookie Statistics (As of Week 12): 11 Games (3 Starts), 20 catches on 26 targets (76.0 Ctch%), 209 yards, 1 TD, 20.9 Y/G
- Grade: C+
Why not double-dip at Iowa State? Collegiate teammates Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel both received NFL Draft hype after productive 2024 seasons, but both for different reasons. While Jayden Higgins etched a position out for himself by being a big-body receiver that’s a force at the catch-point, Jaylin Noel rather excelled at being the speedy and agile slot receiver. Although, Noel had only seen sparing snaps on offense in the first month of the regular season, so his impact (or lack there of) is not fully his responsibility. Except, when he is on the field, Jaylin Noel is a problem!
Back in July, Nickschwager of Battle Red Blog wrote of Noel:
“Noel, the fastest receiver on the roster with a blazing 4.39 40-yard dash, brings a dynamic skill set. His ability to get open quickly and stretch the field deep could open up opportunities for the entire offense.”
Nick nailed Noel’s capabilities on the head back then, but watching Noel stretch the defense has unfortunately been a rare sight in the last few weeks. Attributes like his speed and route-running will invite comparisons to Tank Dell, but Jaylin Noel has not reproduced the level of production Dell had in his rookie year at this point. Right now, Noel has appeared in 11 games, caught 20 passes on 26 targets for 213 yards for 11 first downs and one touchdown. Not bad…but not the gaudy slot receiver stats that many were hoping for. Part of this is caused by Christian Kirk being the normal starting receiver in front of Noel, but at some point, he has to prove that he deserves the top spot on depth chart over Kirk, and that hasn’t happened quite yet.
So, Noel hasn’t exactly transformed the Texans’ offense, but he’s still been a big contributor in important games for the team. A touchdown against the Ravens and crucial third and fourth-down conversions against both the 49ers and Jaguars demonstrate that he can be a great instrument to a well run offense. But, unfortunately for him, a “well run offense” is the exact opposite of what Houston is right now. So, even though Noel has shown flashes, he’ll need more continuity in the passing-game before he can truly assume a starting role on the team. Battle Red Blog’s Clayton Anderson continues to cover both Iowa State receivers in his weekly “Eye of the Cyclones” review of their last game, and he continues to pound the table for increased usage of Noel in the offense. So, maybe in a different world, Noel would have earned a better grade. Maybe he deserves a better grade, but as of right now, he has yet to fully surmount Christian Kirk, so he will remain a C+ at midseason
Pick 4: Round 3 (97th Overall) – CB Jaylin Smith, USC
- Measurables: Height: 5’ 10 ½”, Weight: 187lbs., Arm: 29 ⅞”, Hand: 9 ¼”, 40-Yard Dash: 4.45s, 10-Yard Split: 1.6s, Vertical Jump: 32.5”
- Rookie Statistics (As of Week 12): 4 Games (0 Starts), 6 Tackles, 1 Fumble Recovery
- Rookie Preseason Statistics: 67 Snaps, 6 Tackles, 5 Receptions on 6 Targets (83.3 Rec%) for 28 Yards, 1 Interception, 46.5 Passer Rating Allowed, 71.7 Defensive PFF Grade
- Grade: N/A
I know it may seem like a cop out to place an “N/A” on a rookies’ grade, but I can’t fault a player for not being on the field due to injury. Jaylin Smith, like Aireontae Ersery, was another surprise pick by Nick Caserio. Taken 97th overall in the third round, many saw this selection by the Texans as a reach, as Smith had been touted as a late-round pick due to his lack of size and production at USC in his four years there. But, Nick Caserio saw something on tape that made it worth the reach: an instinctual, multi-position DB that isn’t afraid to attack rushing plays, swarming to the ball like a bee to honey. His 2024 tape had multiple games where he was a nuisance all over the field, becoming a routine run-stopper and headache in the backfield. On top of that, Smith had the motor to be a menace on Houston’s special teams, which may have contributed significantly to Caserio’s thinking all along.
Unfortunately for Houston, the injury bug that haunted him at USC seems to have followed him to the NFL. Shortly after returning from IR in week 8 following a hamstring injury, Smith ended up injured again (undisclosed) and was placed on season-ending IR. It’s especially disappointing since Smith had become a major cog in the special teams’ kickoff and punt-return duties, and had started contributing on defense, again. In a tremendously small sample size (31 snaps on defense, 77 snaps on special teams), Smith had already demonstrated a level of intensity that made him such an attractive target to the front office. Although, these 108 total snaps aren’t enough to accurately extrapolate his production to a full year’s worth of snaps, so his real value to the team is yet to be determined. But, his time on the field, while brief, was at least enough to understand where Nick Caserio was coming from when he took Smith in the third round. He has a knack for making plays on the football, and I can see a path where he becomes a solid backup DB to Jalen Pitre, in the same vein as Myles Bryant or Tremon Smith. This injury, however, will set him back in his development, which could end up being disastrous if he doesn’t show promise right away next year.
Pick 5: Round 4 (116th Overall) – RB Woody Marks, USC
- Measurables: Height: 5’ 10”, Weight: 207 lbs., Arm: 29 ⅛”, Hand: 9”, 40-Yard Dash: 4.54s, 10-Yard Split: 1.57s, Vertical Jump: 35”, Bench Press: 18 Reps
- Rookie Statistics (As of Week 12): 11 Games (3 Starts), 115 Attemps for 422 Yards (3.67 Y/A). 2 Rushing TDs, 17 Receptions on 26 Targets for 185 Yards (11.9 Y/R), 2 Receiving TDs
- Grade: A
Here’s the pick that the whole offense can thank their lucky stars for. Earlier this week, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Houston’s 2024 starting running back, Joe Mixon, would miss the entire 2025 season due to a foot injury:
This report was quickly put into question by Mixon’s response online the same day:
So, regardless of what’s been ailing Mixon, it is now pretty much a certainty that the injury will cause him to miss every game of the 2025 season. While predictable at this point, this is still a critical loss to the entire offense that’s still trying to find their feet. They’ve already been managing his absence for months, putting a tremendous amount of pressure on the rookie and free agent signee Nick Chubb to hit the ground running, literally! While Chubb has been perfectly adequate, Woody Marks has taken the moment to become one the major cogs to Houston’s new ground game.
Game after game, Woody Marks makes a play that will make you re-evaluate his potential. Is he just an undersized one-cut back? His big reception against the Buccaneers in week two begs to differ. Is Marks just an another average receiving back? Well, his game against the Titans in week four, totaling 119 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns, proves that he’s more than just a pass-catching rusher. Okay, so he’s a solid multi-purpose back, but he can’t take over feature back duties and pound the rock over and over, right? Wrong again, as he started the last three games, rushed 48 times for 181 yards (3.77 Y/A) and a touchdown. Well, alright, maybe these statistics won’t blow you away, but game after game, Woody Marks sees his role on offense grow, and he continues to show he’s up for the task.
That elusive, 100-yard rushing game has yet to pop, so Woody Marks cannot be considered a true home-run pick just yet in my book. He’s right there though, right on the cusp of fully replacing Joe Mixon…but he just hasn’t shown that level of dominance quite yet. He’s certainly a tougher back than many were expecting (including me), so I’m ready to go out on a limb here and say that Woody Marks will break that glass ceiling this season and will prove that he’s worthy of being a #1 back in the NFL. This could end up being the Texans’ best pick of the 2025 Draft.
Pick 6: Round 6 (187th Overall) – S Jaylen Reed, Penn State
- Measurables: Height: 6’ 0”, Weight: 211 lbs., 40-Yard Dash: 4.49s, 10-Yard Split: 1.51s, Vertical Jump: 33.5” Bench Press: 19 Reps
- Rookie Statistics (As of Week 12): 6 Games (0 Starts), 12 Tackles, 1 Fumble Recovery, 70.3 Defensive PFF Grade (72.0 Run Defense, 65.8 Tackling, 66.6 Coverage)
- Grade: C
So…some of these players are going to have very unreliable grades for this exercise. Jaylen Reed – the third Jaylen/Jaylin of Houston’s 2025 draft class – had only seen the field on special teams until Thursday night’s big game against the Buffalo Bills, where he finally absorbed 55 defensive snaps at safety, replacing veteran Jalen Mills’ spot on the team after he and fellow DB Myles Bryant filled in for the injured S M.J. Stewart two weeks ago. So, how did Reed perform in his first action on defense? Well, he was…not great, but adequate. PFF credited him with giving up 9 catches on 9 targets for 119 yards, but his performance was buoyed by some nice tackles and a fumble recovery that spotted the Texans offense another three points in a hard-fought win over the Buffalo Bills. Reed didn’t do anything special on this play, but he did exactly what an aware safety is supposed to do: follow the play, and be Johnny-on-the-spot if anything crazy happens. Seeing as he was purely average in his first action on defense, I’ve decided to give him a grade right down the middle: a C. He didn’t excel in coverage and overpursued to the point of opening rushing lanes for the ball carrier, but, in a similar fashion to Davis Mills, did his job sufficiently enough to not be a liability to the defense.
Still, I am a little disappointed it took this long to see him on defense. Even though Houston is loaded with DBs and Reed is just a sixth round pick, I expected him to be more of a routine contributor on defense at this point. I had the fortune of getting a front row seat to his 2024 senior season at Penn State, where he excelled primarily as a box safety. Stuffing runs and spooking quarterbacks, Reed made plays all over the field for an excellent Penn State defense, ultimately leading the team in tackles by the end of the season with 98 total. I was hoping that this, dare I say, SWARM-y quality, coupled with some improved coverage instincts would mean many more snaps on defense by week 12. Hopefully now that he’s getting more attention, Reed will use the motor and instincts he flaunted in college to carve out a solid, rotational role as another quality DB in defensive coordinator Matt Burke’s long bandolier.
Pick 7: Round 6 (197th Overall) – QB Graham Mertz, Florida
- Measurables: Height: 6’ 3”, Weight: 212 lbs., Arm: 31 ¼”, Hand: 9 ¾”
- Rookie Statistics (As of Week 12): N/A
- 2024 Senior Statistics (Florida): 5 Games, 72 Completions on 94 Attempts (76.6%); 791 Yards; 6 Touchdowns; 2 Interceptions; 8.73 AY/A; 73.7 PFF (Season cut short due to ACL tear)
- 2023 Junior Statistics (Florida): 11 Games; 261 Completions on 358 Attempts (72.9%); 2,903 Yards; 20 Touchdowns; 3 Interceptions; 8.85 AY/A; 75.8 PFF
- Grade: N/A
Here’s another practically ungradeable pick at midseason. Former Florida and Wisconsin QB Graham Mertz has yet to make any regular season snaps, but has continued to be on the active roster all season long. Not exactly the kind of blurb you’d like to be reading right now, but beating out Kedon Slovis in the preseason for a roster spot, and then hanging on the active roster after former starters like Dameon Pierce have been waived has to mean something!
Right after the draft, in my original grades for each selection, I wrote of Mertz:
“He’s got prototypical NFL size and moderate arm strength, but he’s not going to wow you with his athleticism. He improved his decision making with the Gators and became a much more trustworthy passer, but he can still be slow with his progression, letting defenders get back into a play.”
In the 69 snaps Mertz took in the preseason, Mertz gradually improved week after week, finishing off some with some pretty impressive throws against the Detroit Lions in week 3. He doesn’t have the arm of Davis Mills, but he consistently targeted the right receiver and demonstrated impressive ball-placement on difficult throws. Whether or not he’ll function as a viable heir to the Great Neck of Mills remains to be seen, but beating out Slovis for the third-string spot and then remaining on the team all of this time means the Texans staff is invested in his development. Maybe, in due time, he will winning games in prime time just like Mr. Mills! He’s gotta grow that neck, first.
Pick 8: Round 7 (224th Overall) – Kyonte Hamilton, Rutgers
- Measurables: Height: 6’3”, Weight: 300 lbs., Arm: 32”, Hand: 9”, 40-Yard Dash: 5.02s, 20-Yard Split: 2.87s, 10-Yard Split: 1.70s, Vertical Jump: 29”
- Rookie Statistics (As of Week 12): N/A
- 2024 Senior Statistics (Rutgers): 13 Games, 36 Tackles, 5 Tackles for loss, 4.0 Sacks, 18 Hurries, 1 Forced Fumble, 649 Defensive Snaps, 81.3 PFF (74.9 RDEF, 79.6 PRSH)
- Grade: N/A
This is another selection that will have to go ungraded at midseason since Kyonte Hamilton has not played at all this season due to a season-ending injury suffered during training camp. While I’m not expecting Hamilton to eventually become a starter, I still cannot predict how significant of a role he will play for the Houston Texans. For all I know, Hamilton could eventually become another Kurt Hinish for the Texans, gradually carving out a role for himself as a d-line depth piece. Or, he could end up being just another cut-candidate at midseason, like Marcus Harris…But, until we actually get to see him in Texans regalia, all we have to go on is his college tape.
Back during draft season, Battle Red Blog contributor Kenneth Levy said this about Kyonte Hamilton:
”Tall and well proportioned, Hamilton flashes agility and several pass rush moves once the ball is snapped. I wouldn’t call him dynamic, which is why he fell to the seventh round, but there’s enough tape here for Houston to throw a late round flier his way. He is a well-rounded defensive tackle who had his best statistical season in 2024, but even so didn’t light up the stat sheet at Rutgers.”
Based on some of these highlights, I can envision a future Texans team that takes advantage of his size and motor to be a run-stuffer, not unlike former Texan Roy Lopez or the aforementioned Kurt Hinish. Although, getting very little action in his rookie season may doom his chances of making an impact in Houston. Hamilton will need to show a lot of development in a hurry in his second year if he doesn’t want to end up buried on the depth chart or released before the beginning of the 2026 season.
Pick 9: Round 7 (255th Overall) – Luke Lachey, Iowa
- Measurables: Height: 6’ 6”, Weight: 251 lbs., Arm: 32 ⅛”, Hand: 10”, Vertical Jump: 35”, Broad Jump: 10’, 3-Cone Drill: 7.18s, 20-Yard Shuttle: 4.47s
- Rookie Statistics (As of Week 12): N/A
- Rookie Preseason Statistics: 99 Snaps, 5 Catches on 6 Targets for 21 Yards (4.2 Y/REC), 48.0 Offensive PFF Grade.
- Grade: F
I know this may seem a little harsh, but I would have expected Luke Lachey to do something at this point if he was any good. The Texans lost their #2 and #3 tight end before week one of the regular season was over, and Lachey still couldn’t crack the depth chart. Instead of giving Lachey meaningful attention at practice or at any point during the regular season, Nick Caserio opted instead to trade for former Eagles tight end Harrison Bryant, cut him before the season started, and then sign him again several days later to make up for losing Cade Stover. After a very lukewarm preseason, Lachey would end up becoming a a casualty of cutdown day, never even making the Texans 53-man roster nor the practice squad.
It’s hard to expect much of anything out of the seventh round pick since taking selections this far down the board is basically like taking a shot in the dark, but an athletic Iowa tight end can’t even crack the depth chart after all of these injuries? Maybe Lachey will transform into something in year two or three and end up getting re-signed in the offseason, but, even though they’re both very different players I’m getting strong Brandon Hill vibes from him right now. This is a bit a bummer, as Houston could have used some depth at the TE position several times this season. I’m not saying I expected Lachey to be a starter in his rookie year, but I would t least expected to see him on a few snaps as a blocker here and there on offense or special teams.
And that’s the list! I have to say, at this point of the season, this is shaping up to be a pretty solid draft. I don’t know if this draft will reach the level of impact the 2023 or 2024 draft classes have had on the Houston Texans, but Nick Caserio found at least three quality starters in this draft, with a potential for that number to grow if Jaylin Noel and Jaylen Reed end up becoming real contributors down the stretch. In an offseason where Houston’s front office was determined to rebuild the offense, it’s beginning to look like their plan is bearing some fruit. It’s still too soon to call this a smashing success, but I’m very excited to see how Higgins, Ersery, Noel, Marks, and Reed in the second half of this year. They all made an impact in the Texans victory of the Bills on Thursday, and if they can keep doing that every week until January, this class might be another winner for Nick Caserio.
Overall Draft Grade: B+
What do you think, though? Will this draft class go down in history as the class where Houston rebuilt its offense for the better? Or, are the Texans going to end up regretting the selections they made back in April? Should they have gone with more offensive linemen, like we were all calling for during the draft, or should they have traded up instead of traded down and nabbed a superstar WR like Emeka Egbuka? Only time will tell if Houston made the right moves, but for right now, let us know what you think of the rookies thus far down in the comments below!
GO TEXANS!!!!
