Analyzing the Texans depth heading into the 2025 NFL Draft
As we approach the draft later today, let’s refresh ourselves on the Texans depth chart and positions of need. The roster has been overhauled in several key positions through free agency but still needs the addition of these rookies before it’s regular season ready.
Below are the draft odds for several positions for the Texans’ first drafted player. Offensive lineman -370 is the most likely followed by wide receiver. Check out other draft parlays at Fanduel.com.
Note: in bold are the newly added or resigned players.
Defensive Ends
- Starters: Danielle Hunter, Will Anderson Jr.
- Backups: Derek Barnett, Darrell Taylor, Dylan Horton
- Depth: Kingsley Jonathan, Casey Toohill, Solomon Byrd
Analysis: Re-signing Derek Barnett was a fantastic move to open up free agency and bring back our best rotational pass rusher. The addition of Darrell Taylor on a one-year deal attempts to duplicate such success. Look for third-year end Horton to have a big season finally fully recovered from his cancer diagnosis.
Defensive Tackles
- Starters: Tim Settle Jr., Sheldon Rankins
- Backups: Denico Autry, Mario Edwards Jr.
- Depth: Tommy Togiai, Kurt Hinish, Jayden Peevy
Analysis: Welcome back Sheldon! The Texans have addressed this positional need with several known veterans. As a whole, there is a lot familiar faces in this group but no standouts. Though, that’s DeMeco Ryans’ defensive approach thus far in the interior. While this position is less of a dire need than before, a new, young face is still necessary to rejuvenate the position long-term. While this is a position of need, the deep talent pool in the draft makes it unnecessary for the Texans to target a defensive tackle in the first round.
Another name to familiarize yourself with is Tongiai; he quietly played a significant role on the defense in the second half of the season.
Linebackers
- Starters: Azeel Al-Shaair, Henry To’oTo’o
- Backups: Christian Harris, E.J. Speed
- Depth: Jake Hansen, Jamal Hill, Nick Neimann
Analysis: The late entry of E.J. Speed changes my entire complexion on this group. The Texans now have four LBs who have recorded 100+ tackles in a season over the past two years. However, the addition signals legitimate concerns over the health of Christian Harris, who only played three games in 2024.
Second-year LB Jamal Hill should develop into a special teams ace and rotational coverage linebacker. Between him and Hansen, the Texans should be set with this core group heading into training camp.
Cornerbacks
- Starters: Kamari Lassiter, Derek Stingley Jr.
- Backups: Ronald Darby, M.J. Stewart
- Depth: Tremon Smith, D’Angelo Ross
Analysis: Last year’s biggest need was duly answered by the sensational Kamari Lassiter, who should have been up for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. However as great of a pick as that was, this position lacks depth. The signing of Ronald Darby and Tremon Smith adds special teams’ talent to this group, but there’s a tremendous need for a steady backup. Expect a third or fifth round draft pick expended to quell this issue.
Safeties
- Starters: Jalen Pitre, Calen Bullock, C.J. Gardner-Johnson
- Backups: Jimmie Ward
- Depth: Gregory Junior, Russ Yeast
Analysis: The trade for Garner-Johnson to replace Eric Murray took much of the urgency out of adding talent to this group. According to Aaron Wilson, Pitre should be back after his pectoral injury and subsequent surgery in time for training camp.
Jimmie Ward is in the last year of his contract and at the age of 34 shouldn’t be considered a starting safety for the team. Houston released Brandon Hill due to a failed physical, which steals from some of the upper-echelon potential out of this group. The Texans should be set from a short-term perspective, but another complimentary defensive back should be in the cards soon.
Defense Analysis: The Texans defense has a fantastic blend of elite and young talent with savvy veterans to fill in the roles. They could use another rotational defensive tackle and backup corner, but outside of that are ready to rock heading into a critical season in the C.J. Stroud era.
Quarterbacks
- Starters: C.J. Stroud
- Backups: Davis Mills
- Depth: Kedon Slovis
Analysis: Stroud is the guy for the foreseeable future. Adding a wily veteran as a third QB feels logical, but not something the Texans should prioritize until training camp begins.
Running Backs
- Starters: Joe Mixon
- Backups: Dameon Pierce, Dare Ogumbowale
- Depth: J.J. Taylor, Jawhar Jordan, British Brooks, Jakob Johnson
Analysis: Joe Mixon was fantastic when healthy for Houston. He barely cracked the 1,000 yard mark due to injuries. They brought back Ogumbowale again which did not move the needle. Houston needs a pass catching running back to provide some dynamic athleticism out of the backfield. Second-year running backs on practice squad Taylor and Jordan need to make a statement this offseason, otherwise expect Houston to bring in another RB early in this talented draft class even though FanDuel has the odds of the position going first at +2,600.
Tight Ends
- Starters: Dalton Schultz
- Backups: Brevin Jordan, Cade Stover
- Depth: Irv Smith Jr.
Analysis: This group was the worst blocking tight end group in the league last season. They were a huge detriment to the protection of Stroud and as a group failed to be impactful as 2023. Schultz took a step back when Diggs was in the offense and needs to find a more consistent role. Cade Stover impressed in his first season, but he has a ton of growing in all assets of the game. Getting a full year of Brevin Jordan would be a major plus as he provides an athletic alternative to the team’s current weapons. All said, this is a strong TE class and an additional tight end to take over the position moving forward wouldn’t be a surprise.
Wide Receivers:
- Starters: Nico Collins, Christian Kirk, John Metchie III
- Backups: Justin Watson, Xavier Hutchinson
- Depth: Braxton Berrios, Johnny Johnson III, Xavier Johnson, Jared Wayne
- Injured: Tank Dell
Analysis: This group lacks the oomph from 2024, but still has enough depth to get the Texans’ offense going. Expect Houston to draft a wide receiver in the first three rounds and FanDuel agrees; they set the betting line at +410 for Houston to lead off the draft with a WR. Adding Justin Watson and Braxton Berrios are short-term options until Tank Dell returns next season. Houston needs John Metchie or Xavier Hutchinson to finally make the leap, but their potential may be capped as rotational wide receivers.
Offensive Tackles
- Starters: Cam Robinson, Blake Fisher
- Backups: Trent Brown, Zach Thomas
- Depth: Jaylon Thomas, Austin Deculus
Analysis: At -370 on Fanduel, the offensive line position is the greatest need and the bettors agree. Unless Houston falls in love with Emeka Egbuka, they will be drafting a new tackle or guard. Cam Robinson is a worthy left tackle, but should not stop the Texans from finding their left tackle of the future. Blake Fisher had a poor rookie season once he stepped into the starting role. Tytus Howard could potentially shift back out to right tackle or make the transition to left tackle depending on what works and who is drafted.
Offensive Guards & Centers
- Starters: Tytus Howard, Juice Scruggs, Ed Ingram
- Backups: Jarrett Patterson, Laken Tomlinson
- Depth: Jerome Carvin, Nick Broeker, LaDarius Henderson
Analysis: This group is a hodgepodge of players. Howard is best served as a tackle but can play left guard. Juice Scruggs needs to nail down a position. Houston could use any one of Donovan Jackson, Tyler Booker, or Grey Zabel today to become a Texan. Look out for LaDarius Henderson to join the fray after being injured all last season.
Offense analysis: The offensive line could use two starters, but having two rookies protecting C.J. Stroud is a precarious position to put the entire franchise in. The Texans resigned Irv Smith Jr. days before the draft, but should be in the market for another young tight end. If not tight end, running back appears to be an option to eventually replace both Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce. Despite those needs, Houston could select a wide receiver to be the long-term WR2 in this offense alongside Nico Collins. Expect the Texans to focus primarily on the offensive side of the ball.