Wide receiver remains a vital need for the Houston Texans entering next week’s NFL Scouting Combine.
Stefon Diggs and Robert Woods are set to hit free agency. Tank Dell’s status for the 2025 season remains a mystery as he prepares to undergo another surgery this offseason.
While John Metchie and Xavier Hutchinson are great locker room fits, trusting either as the No. 2 opposite Nico Collins is a reach by any standards. The Texans could add a stable name in free agency, but the No. 3 option likely must come via the draft.
With the arrival of new offensive coordinator Nick Caley, there’s a certain type of weapon Houston must target when on the clock at No. 25. Given the pedigree of player general manager Nick Caserio targets in the first-round, expect the pass-catcher to be from a championship-caliber big-time program with ample proven production.
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah was asked during his yearly pre-combine press conference about the type of target Houston should focus its sights on. Two names stood above the rest for the 25th pick.
Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka and Texas’ Matthew Golden.
“The obvious one is Emeka Egbuka because of his connection and history with C.J. Stroud,” Jeremiah said. “But can play inside and outside. Just really, really smart and instinctive and tough. I think he would make a lot of sense there.”
Emeka Egbuka is the PERFECT slot WR for the modern NFL.
He is a cerebral, technical route runner with reliable hands and savvy ball tracking in traffic.
He has a chance to solidify himself as a first round pick in the National Championship vs. Notre Dame. pic.twitter.com/SuF73xwwf9
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) January 14, 2025
During Stroud’s final season at Ohio State, Egbuka served as the No. 2 target opposite eventual first-round pick Marvin Harrison Jr. Even as the secondary option in the slot, Egbuka posted career-highs in catches (74), receiving yards (1,151) and touchdowns (10).
Since Stroud’s departure, Egbuka has transformed into one of the college football’s best No. 2 targets. Last season, he helped Will Howard guide the Buckeyes to a national championship berth while posting over 1,000 yards opposite Jeremiah Smith.
To get to Atlanta, the Buckeyes had to get past Texas. The Longhorns made it a fight, but results could have been different if Golden wasn’t limited to just 22 reps in Arlington, thus taking away Quinn Ewers’ security blanket.
Emeka Egbuka
Look at him finish a block.
NFL caliber run blocker. pic.twitter.com/cR3KN8IJga
— Elite Drafters (@Elite_Drafters) February 8, 2025
In his lone season with the Longhorns, Golden proved his potential as a future NFL standout and elite route-runner from the Z position. As the new No. 1, Golden posted career-highs in receptions (58), receiving yards (987), yards per catch (17.0) and touchdowns (9).
With Dell expected to miss most of —if not all —the 2025 season, Jeremiah sees Golden as a plug-in replacement for next season and a solid consolation prize should Egbuka be off the board.
Matthew Golden releases pic.twitter.com/aKFE3NgyUS
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) January 21, 2025
“I’ve become kind of obsessed with receivers with the thought and keeping an eye out for guys who are grounded through the catch, guys who really trust their hands and run through the ball,” Jeremiah said. “I just put more importance on that. You just see the really great receivers in the NFL have that trait, that quality, that confidence in their hands and allows them to do so much after the catch as well. Both those guys are grounded through the catch, tough, smart, instinctive players that I think would be home run fits there with C.J. Stroud.”
The Texans hold six picks in the upcoming NFL Draft.