The Houston Texans have a lot of things they still need to address, even after what I would say is a successful first few waves of free agency. They didn't get all they needed done during free agency, but they've made some great moves thus far.
However, it doesn't stop with free agency, they still have the 2025 NFL Draft and their seven draft picks, four of them before Day 3. They have the perfect draft capital in this draft to grab everything else they need on their list of needs. After the draft, they should be able to start checking things off their list.
The Texans can have an approach and a strategy going into this draft that allows them to address every one of their remaining needs. Now, not every one of them will be addressed equally, but they can find a way to put some type of attention on whatever that need is.
Houston Texans 2025 Mock Draft
Round 1, Pick 25: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
It's obvious that the first pick in this draft is probably going to be an offensive tackle, or an offensive lineman of some sort. For the Texans, of Banks is ln the board, and I think there is both a chance he is or isn't on the board, they have to take him. The Texans need someone to protect Stroud, and Banks is one of the best at doing that in this entire draft.
He won't be elite on Day 1, or anything crazy like that. But he will do his job at a first-round rookie level, with the potential to be amazing. When it comes to pass blocking, Banks may be the best in the draft. His run blocking needs some work, but it's hard to look past the fact that over 1,544 pass block snaps in his college career, he only gave up four total sacks, and 26 total hurries.
Round 2, Pick 58: Omar Norman-Lott, DT, Tennessee
The Texans need someone inside to help the duo of Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter. They have some really good role players, but why not grab a guy who has the potential to be a great starter in this league? Norman-Lott has that potential, but he also has a risky floor with his size.
Norman-Lott was one of the best pass rushers in the interior last season, he was just on a defensive line that rotated guys out, what felt like every single play. He only played 225 snaps last year. His downside is that he's 6'3", which is considered undersized, but then again, if you can play ball, you can play ball. Norman-Lott can play ball.
Round 3, Pick 77: Tate Ratledge, OG, Georgia
The same for Kelvin Banks applies to this third pick in the draft -- the Texans need help on the offensive line badly, at more than one spot. They need help on the interior as well, now who loses their spot there is to be seen in training camp, but it's obvious they will grab an interior lineman somewhere throughout this draft.
We saw how the Philadelphia Eagles manhandled the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl -- building a championship-caliber team starts in the trenches. They have to protect C.J. Stroud, and if that means drafting two in the top three rounds, then so be it. Ratledge is good, a guy who may not even be there at this pick. But, there is a chance he is there, and that's a pick that would be perfect for the Texans, and instantly improve their offensive line.
Round 3, Pick 89: Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas
With Tank Dell out for probably the entire season, or at least most of it, they need another wide receiver. They have added Christian Kirk, Braxton Berrios, and Justin Watson, but that simply won't be enough. They needed to add more guys before Dell got hurt, now they definitely need at least one more.
Getting Bond would certainly be one of the closest things possible to replacing Dell. But also, he is a guy who could coincide with Dell back playing. The two could work together and not have a log jam at a certain type of player. Bond is a crafty playmaker who relies on his route running but thrives over the middle of the field. Getting him would elevate their offense in the absence of Dell. And, oh yeah, no Stefon Diggs either, as he is now with the New England Patriots.
Round 5, Pick 166: Caleb Ransaw, S, Tulane
The Texans will eventually need a nickel backer. Right now, it's basically Jalen Pitre running the show there. However, he has had moments where he's not that great there, but much better at the safety position, where Calen Bullock is now taking over, along with his new running mate C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
Tansaw is listed as a safety, but he played 305 snaps in the slot last year, and 415 snaps in the slot the year before. At 6 feet, 196 pounds, Ransaw has the size to play the slot in the NFL, and he's not slow either. The Texans could use him for depth, and if all goes well and they don't want to pay Pitre down the road, you have your next nickel.
Round 7, Pick 236: Kain Medrano, LB, UCLA
The Houston Texans just signed former Indianapolis Colts linebacker E.J. Speed, but that doesn't mean they don't need more help there. Speed is a low-risk risk-high high-reward deal, which is why his contract is just a one-year deal. They need more depth, and they need a guy who can develop into a great coverage linebacker. Medrano is one of the better coverage guys in the draft at his position.
According to Pro Football Focus, he has a 76.6 coverage grade, which is in the upper 1/4th of the draft. He's good, has a lot to work on, but his instincts in coverage are good.
Round 7, Pick 241: Brant Kuithe, TE, Utah
Just because they have Dalton Schultz and drafted Cade Stover last year, doesn't mean they won't need a tight end when Schultz and Brevin Jordan end up leaving, if that ever happens. Kuithe doesn't quite have the stats, but the film is there. And, man, the potential jumps off the page.
He may not thrive as a pass blocker at the next level because of his size, as he's just 6-foot-2, but he can be a savvy pass catcher.
