Texans stand pat at No. 25, select franchise RT in new mock draft

Entering the NFL Scouting Combine, the Houston Texans have the No. 25 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

However, given Nick Caserio’s draft history and limited draft space, some believe that Houston could recoup lost draft collateral by trading back to select an under-the-radar name later in Round 1 or early in Round 2.

Pro Football Network’s Ben Rolfe isn’t one of those believing a trade-down in the works at No. 25 based on his seven-round mock draft. While standing pat, Houston shores up the right side of the offensive line by selecting former Texas right tackle Cam Williams.

Williams, who started last season for the Longhorns en route to a College Football Playoff semifinal run, might be raw, but his selection would serve as more so a long-term ploy with Laremy Tunsil set to potentially hit the open market in 2026.

“Putting him at the right tackle spot early in his career should help mitigate initial concerns, and he can learn from Laremy Tunsil,” Rolfe wrote. “Williams has the potential to be a long-term left tackle when Tunsil moves on, but he could also be a more than solid bookend opposite Tunsil to help protect C.J. Stroud entering his third season.”

Texas tackle Cameron Williams…how to make a LB disappear pic.twitter.com/LIlUY8UEeu

— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) December 5, 2023

With the second-round Rolfe believes the Texans will strengthen the interior offensive line by drafting Ohio State offensive lineman Donovan Jackson. A fan favorite in a trade-down scenario, Jackson comes with position flexibility at both guard spots and even left tackle. He could be a plug-and-play starter at right guard if the Texans cut veteran Shaq Mason to save cap space entering free agency.

“Donovan Jackson, with his athleticism and punchy hands, has all the traits to be a solid interior offensive lineman,” Rolfe wrote. “He has a fantastic combination of size, strength, mobility, and intelligence to play the position and could be an immediate starter to upgrade this line.”

Ohio State LT Donovan Jackson () continues to be the unsung MVP for this team. Zero pressures allowed vs. UT.

In 3 Playoff Games (175 snaps vs. 3 very good DLs)
Pressures: 1
Sacks: 0
Penalties: 0 pic.twitter.com/5yw62gAvKg

— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 11, 2025

The rest of the Texans picks go as follows:

Third round, pick No. 89: Cam Skattebo, RB, Arizona State
Fourth round, pick No. 127: Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo
Fifth round, pick No. 167 (via BUF): Malachi Moore, S, Alabama
Seventh round, pick No. 243: Andrew Armstrong, WR, Arkansas

Alexander is the most intriguing pick of the bunch. As one of the standouts of the Senior Bowl, his stock should only rise with a promising outcome at next week’s combine.

If he were to land on Day 3, the 6-foot-6 Toledo product is an ideal power-rushing three-tech that should stabilze the interior pass rush for DeMeco Ryans’ defense over the next several seasons. Houston has rotated defensive tackles since Ryans arrived in 2023, so finding a long-term playmaker might be the best move to kickstart the final day of drafting.

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