Breaking down ESPN draft guru Jordan Reid's new 7-round mock draft for the Texans

[ASFN Admin]

What's the plan for the Houston Texans when on the clock at No. 25? Will the two-time defending AFC South champions target an offensive tackle? A wide receiver? A defensive lineman?

ESPN's Jordan Reid officially released his final seven-round mock draft, locking in his predictions for all 256 selections four days ahead of the first round. For the Texans, Reid has the fourth-best team in the AFC looking poised to make a run in the postseason and potentially a conference championship with the selection of a Pro Bowl-caliber guard and No. 2 receiver.

While the Texans could consider trading up, they elect to stand pat at No. 25 and go with the "best player available" approach. With Kelvin Banks Jr. off the board, the Texans select the other half of the "Booker or Banks Law Firm" with Alabama's Tyler Booker, who should become a Day 1 starter from the second he arrives on sight.

"The Texans remodeled their offensive line this offseason after struggling to protect quarterback C.J. Stroud in 2024. Laremy Tunsil, Kenyon Green and Shaq Mason are all gone, while the team added Cam Robinson, Laken Tomlinson and Ed Ingram,"Reid wrote. "But guard is still a major weakness. Booker is a tone-setting interior blocker who allowed only one sack across 970 pass-blocking snaps in college. His physical play and quickness help him win in short areas. Booker has the potential to be a plug-and-play starter at either guard spot."

After allowing the third-most sacks this season, everything is about protecting Stroud for 2025 and beyond. Booker, considered by Pro Football Focus as college football's best interior pass protector of 2024, should be a plug-and-play upgrade over the current names on Houston's roster.

A two-year starter on the offensive line at Alabama, Booker, known for his brute strength, relentless play style and high-motor mentality, should be a plug-and-play starter come Week 1 once he gets acclimated to Nick Caley's system during training camp.

“It’s legal assault out there. I love football because the brand of football I play, I make other guys not love football anymore," Booker told reporters at the combine. "I do that every down by giving it my all.”

Without its second-round pick, Reid has Houston bolstering its passing attack by selecting Ole Miss wide receiver Tre Harris at No. 58. A two-time All-SEC selection, the 6-foot-2 Rebel should pair well as a vertical presence opposite Pro Bowler Nico Collins on the outside and Christian Kirk in the slot.

"With Tank Dell injured and Stefon Diggs gone, the Texans need receiving help," Reid wrote. "Harris is a downfield option who had 60 receptions for 1,030 yards and seven touchdowns last season despite missing five games due to hip and groin injuries."

With two picks in Round 3, Ried ensures the Texans shore up two other positions of need. At No. 79, he has Houston targeting a swing tackle that could shift inside to guard with NC State's Anthony Belton.

"Belton is a punishing blocker with the positional flexibility to play guard and tackle," Reid wrote. "He would give the Texans' revamped offensive line depth at multiple spots."

Ten picks later, Reid finds a running mate to pair with Pro Bowler Joe Mixon in Kansas' Devin Neal. With Dameon Pierce entering a contract season, targeting a new No. 2 option might be a priority this offseason in Houston.

Neal's receiving prowess and reliability on multiple run concepts would make him an ideal RB2 behind Joe Mixon.

Reid puts a bow on the Texans' class with the following picks:

• Fifth round (No. 166): Luke Lachey, TE, Iowa
• Seventh round (No. 236): Ricky White, WR, UNLV
• Seventh round (No. 241): Collin Oliver, LB, Oklahoma

Entering the draft, the Texans have seven picks to better the roster.

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: 2025 NFL Draft: Breaking down ESPN Jordan Reid's new Texans' mock

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