The countdown is on for the 2025 NFL Draft, and all eyes in Houston are on what general manager Nick Caserio and the Texans will do when they’re finally on the clock with the 25th overall pick. While the team isn’t new to making bold moves, this year’s decision feels especially crucial.
Caserio has clarified that the Texans won’t be drafting based on need. “We’ve never drafted for need around here. Never going to. We’re going to pick the best player we feel fits our program regardless of the position,” Caserio said last week at his pre-draft press conference. “I would say other than quarterback pretty much any position is on the table, like it always is. Try to stay true to the board. That’s the reason we created the players. We put the players on the board, we grade them accordingly to what we think the role is going to be, then we take them off the board as we see fit. That’s not going to change.”
Still, the buzz is hard to ignore. One name keeps popping up in mock drafts: Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons. Despite a knee injury that cut his season short, Simmons is being talked about as possibly the most talented offensive lineman in this year’s class.
Experts from across the league are split, but many believe that if Simmons hadn’t been injured, he might have been a top-15 pick. Pro Football Focus even suggested he didn’t allow a single sack or hit during his 158 pass-blocking snaps before getting hurt. That’s the stat that makes scouts notice, even if medical concerns linger.
Adding fuel to the fire, the Texans have already made several moves in free agency to shore up their offensive line, including signing veteran tackle Cam Robinson. His one-year deal gives Houston some breathing room—but also signals that the team might be searching for a long-term solution, like Simmons.
But what if the Texans decide to go another route? Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, another Ohio State standout, has been mentioned as a strong option. With Stefon Diggs gone and Tank Dell’s injury leaving a gap in the offense, adding a familiar face for quarterback C.J. Stroud could make a lot of sense. Egbuka, who played alongside Stroud in college, racked up nearly 2,868 receiving yards in four seasons and has the kind of speed and hands that can stretch the field.
Others in the mix include Alabama’s Tyler Booker, a tough, physical guard who many believe could step in and start on Day 1, and North Dakota State’s Grey Zabel, known for his versatility on the line.
So what will Houston do?
If they believe Simmons will bounce back strong, it’s easy to see why he could be the pick. He offers size, skill, and long-term value — the kind of player who could protect C.J. Stroud’s blindside for years to come.
But if the Texans want to give Stroud more weapons instead of more protection, they may take a swing at Egbuka. Either way, this pick could shape the next chapter of Houston’s rise in the AFC South.
One thing is certain: the Texans are holding their cards close, and fans won’t have to wait much longer to see how they play their hand.
