The Houston Texans 2025 season is a dumpster fire. C.J. Stroud is in concussion protocol, the offensive line is in the witness protection program, and offensive coordinator Nick Caley needs to find a real
estate agent back in New England.
At 3-5, the Texans have a 26% chance to make the playoffs according to NFL.com. That probability was at 45% chance before the loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday. With such low odds and a grueling schedule left to play, it’s time to peer into the future and look into the future state of the Houston Texans.
Their top needs heading into the offseason are OG, OC, S, RB, DT, and TE
Fortunately, the Texans can address their six greatest needs within the first four picks in next year’s class.
These picks are based on where the Texans would be drafting if the season ended today. Obviously, the picks will change over time, but for now the Texans are slotted into the below picks.
Round 1, Pick 13: Vega Ioane, OG – Penn State
Current starter: Juice Scruggs
If getting stalled at the goal line twice against the Broncos wasn’t enough to jolt Nick Caserio and staff into addressing this issue, nothing will. Get used to Ioane’ name in connection with the Houston Texans. While Penn State is an equal if not worse dumpster fire, 6’4”, 328-pound left guard is athletic, battle-tested, and a road-grader. The standout offensive lineman brings tenacity and power to a unit in desperate need of a boost.
Round 2, Pick 42: Connor Lew, OC – Auburn
Current starter: Jarrett Patterson
The three-year starting center at Auburn had a poor outing against a ferocious Texas A&M pass rush, but he’s the type of plug-and-play center the Texans have been searching for since Ben Jones. With the selection on Lew, the Texans can spend the rest of the draft on skill positions to surround C.J.Stroud with the best arsenal of weapons possible Nick Caserio has yet to double down on early offensive line picks, but if there’s a year to do it, it’s this draft class.
Round 2, Pick 45 (from WAS): Jonah Coleman, RB – Washington
Current starter: Nick Chubb
This pick I designate as the “fun pick.” It’s the most valuable asset from the trade with the New York Giants and lands the second-best running back in the draft. With Joe Mixon’s future in doubt, the Texans need a long-term prospect to pair with Woody Marks. Coleman only stands 5’9”, but he’s dense and packs an absolute punch that will translate to the NFL level. He’ll be a fantastic foil to Marks, secure the position moving forward, and provide more talent around Stroud.
Round 3, Pick 69 (from NYG): Keon Sabb, S – Alabama
Current starter: M.J. Stewart
Houston needs to tidy up their secondary with a legitimate starter to pair with Calen Bullock. Adding Sabb, who has been on a tear for the Crimson Tide, would finish off a young, dynamic and fun secondary. While a new DT is more needed, the Texans have always valued secondary over DTs in the draft and won’t waver here. Sabb played two years at Michigan before transferring to Alabama.
Houston needs to tidy up its secondary with a legitimate starter to pair with Calen Bullock. Adding Sabb — who has been on a tear for the Crimson Tide — would complete a young, dynamic, and exciting secondary. While a new DT is arguably a bigger need, the Texans have historically valued the secondary over the interior defensive line and won’t waver here. Sabb played two years at Michigan before transferring to Alabama.
From NFLDraftBuzz.com on Keon Sabb: “Day two draft capital would represent a bet on Sabb’s developmental ceiling rather than his current floor. Teams valuing length, physicality and collegiate pedigree at premium programs will be more bullish on his prospects than those prioritizing movement skills and man coverage versatility.”
Round 4, Pick 110 (from WAS): Joe Royer, TE – Cincinnati
Current starter: Dalton Schultz
In future iterations, tight end will be higher up pick in the draft due to the need incurred by injuries this season. It’s so bad that Houston has resorted to playing Blake Fisher at TE in blocking packages. Royer splits time roughly 50/50 between inline and slot snaps for a good Bearcats offense. He ranks second on the team in catches, third in yards, and averages a healthy 15.2 yards per reception.
Royer needs to add bulk to his 6’5” frame, but he plays a versatile role that would slot in nicely in Houston’s offense in dire need of multiplicity.
Round 4, Pick 113: Albert Regis, DT – Texas A&M
Current starter: Tim Settle Jr.
Working down the board, defensive tackle is the next long-term need Houston should fill. It isn’t a glaring hole since it’s currently manned by veterans on short-term contracts, but an interior pass rusher to complement the defensive ends would be a valuable addition.
There were plenty of DTs available, but Regis best fits Houston’s mold. He’s statistically one of the best run-stoppers in college football and among the lowest-graded pass rushers. That would be a major red flag in other systems, but the Texans rotate their tackles so frequently that they don’t need Regis to be a premier pass rusher. Adding a bull in the center of this defense would elevate the entire system.
Honorable mention: Tim Keenan II (Alabama), who continues to impress and get healthy after missing several games.
What position do you think the Texans need to add early in this draft? Comment below. And if you have a favorite player in college add them and I’ll do a report on them.
