Not many expect the Houston Texans to upset the Kansas City Chiefs — they were 8.5-point underdogs, after all. However, watching franchise signal-caller C.J. Stroud endure eight sacks while nursing a knee injury was less than ideal.
Using the CFN Mock Draft Simulator, let’s run a seven-round mock draft and give Stroud the necessary reinforcements to return to the playoffs in 2025 and beyond.
7-Round Houston Texans Mock Draft
The Texans have gone 10-7 and lost in the Divisional Round in head coach DeMeco Ryans’ first two seasons at the helm. The 2025 season will be crucial for the future of the franchise — can they break through the ceiling, or will they fall back down to the floor?
Health will certainly play a factor, as star WRs Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell suffered season-ending injuries in 2024. Stroud can only carry a depleted pass-catching corps so far, so expect the Texans to target the offensive line and WR/TE rooms early in the 2025 NFL Draft.
25) Aireontae Ersery, OL, Minnesota
Aireontae Ersery is an athlete at 6’6″ and 325 pounds, able to pull and seal off lanes for RBs to run through.
He is the definition of a “people mover” in the run game, which overshadows some technical issues and inconsistencies in pass protection. And even then, his physical foundation will be a ball of clay any NFL OL coach would love to work with.
58) Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State
Iowa State’s offense features two NFL-caliber wideouts in Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. At 6’4″ and 215 pounds, Higgins pops off the screen — and not just for his contested-catch ability. He’s a relatively fluid mover who has impressive control over his body, both on the ground and in the air.
MORE: 2025 NFL Draft Underclassmen Tracker
Higgins profiles well as a perimeter receiver but showed this season that he can also win from the slot, adding versatility to his game. His adaptability and contribution in different roles make him a valuable piece in a crowded 2025 draft class.
What separates Higgins is his dependability at the catch point and route running at his size. He’s a steady target that allows QBs to say, “F it, he’s down there somewhere.”
89) Zy Alexander, CB, LSU
Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter are the only CBs under contract next season, so they’ll need reinforcements.
Zy Alexander has started 46 of 50 games, spending his first three collegiate seasons at Southeastern Louisiana before suiting up for the Tigers in 2023. He is the definition of a ball hawk, snagging 13 INTs and 23 PBUs in his career.
A season-ending injury cut his first year at LSU short after eight games, but he picked up where he left off and then some, allowing just two receptions of 15+ yards all year.
126) Luke Lachey, TE, Iowa
The next TE off the Iowa-to-NFL conveyor belt, Luke Lachey has the size (6’6″, 253) and instincts to earn mid-round capital in the 2025 NFL Draft despite a lack of production. He’s a smooth operator as a receiver and should provide Stroud with juice at the position that Dalton Shultz does not.
166) Tonka Hemingway, DT, South Carolina
The Gamecocks deployed Tonka Hemingway all over the defensive line, thanks to his 6’3″ and 285-pound frame. He’s explosive and owns a blitzing first step, crossing faces in a hurry.
Plus, his awareness to get his hands up when he didn’t get home resulted in a conference-leading eight batted passes in 2023.
242) Oluwafemi Oladejo, EDGE, UCLA
Danielle Hunter is getting long in the tooth, and Derek Barnett is a free agent — the Texans could use an influx of talent at EDGE. Oluwafemi Oladejo began his collegiate career as an LB at Cal but transitioned to the defensive line in his final year at UCLA.
KEEP READING: 2025 NFL Draft EDGE Rankings
Ryans could maximize his versatility, especially since his arm length and lack of a pass-rush plan could struggle at EDGE full-time, at least early on. His power and relentless motor raise his floor and should allow him to see the field early on special teams.
College Football Network has you covered with the latest from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, and every Group of Five conference and FBS Independent program.
