The Houston Texans have some very clear needs on their checklist that they need to try and check off during the 2025 NFL Draft. Of course, we all know that the offensive line needs to be a priority. However, there are other positions that need attention, too.
Last season the Texans made it a big emphasis to address the secondary, which was a position group that needed a ton of help. They got Calen Bullock, one of the best rookies in the league last year, along with Kamari Lassiter, another guy who you could give that same title to. Both of them helped transform the defense in the pass game for a secondary that desperately needed it.
They wanted to put key pieces around Derek Stingley to help relieve the pressure. Now, they may want to do that on the defensive line, to help relieve pressure off of both Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr., the best edge rushing duo in the league. Getting a guy to help them out in the middle, one that can become a great pass rusher and run stopper, would be ideal.
And, it helps that this draft class I super deep at the defensive tackle position. There are some guys with great potential very deep in this draft. However, the Texans seem to be looking at guys that could go earlier in the draft. In fact, they have some interest in a guy that is projected to be anywhere from a late first-round pick to an early third-round pick.
Texans to visit with DT T.J. Sanders
The Texans are set to visit with South Carolina defensive tackle T.J. Sanders, a guy who is considered to be a top-six defensive tackle in this draft. Just because the Texans are meeting with him on a pre-draft visit, doesn't mean anything, really, other than that they like him and want to get to know him and his personality a bit more.
Everything that he brings to the table in terms of his physical tools, they already know. They have seen the tape and done their homework. They know that he has quick hands and is good at engaging off of blocks, or that he has an explosive first step with some twitch. They also know about his flaws, like that he gets too excited and energetic when shooting a gap and can miss his assignment, or that he sometimes gives up leverage.
They have seen all of that, now the Texans want to know what his mind is like, and how it works. And most of all, they want to make sure he is a good fit culturally, something that isn't talked about enough when evaluating if a player is a good fit or not.
In terms of his game, he would be a great fit.
