The Houston Texans hold six draft picks in their pocket heading into Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft, four of which are in the sixth round. This is when Nick Caserio and DeMeco Ryans often trade off pieces to move up in the draft, so don’t be surprised if two picks are combined to make a jump into Round 4 or 5 with the intention of selecting a potential starter.
So, who will be the next diamond in the rough to contribute for Houston? Looking at the 99 best available players on the consensus big board, the Texans should consider targeting any of these 15 prospects on Saturday afternoon. Not all of them will be available at Nos. 127 or 190, but they would all have relatively high ceilings in H-Town.
OT Cameron Williams, Texas
Williams could help answer the Texans’ questions at swing tackle since Tytus Howard might be better suited inside at guard for the 2025 season. He’s 6-foot-6 and powerful, also displaying good enough movement skills to get out and block on the edge in the run game.
OG Marcus Mbow, Purdue
Mbow could be the answer to the Texans’ woes at guard. He’s a former tackle who likely will transition inside full-time to guard since his frame better suits a move away from the edge. He’s not a Day 1 starter, but there’s at least potential for him to become a solid role player on most offensive lines.
LB Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma
Stutsman tested really well at the NFL combine, which isn’t very surprising considering how he plays the position. He good range and instincts, which help him against the run and dropping back into coverage.
DL Ty Robinson, Nebraska
Robinson is versatile in that he can line up just about anywhere up front. Like so many other Texans’ names on the defensive side, he excels with great effort and pursuit in the run game. The allowed him to make tackles and clog up running lanes. He’s effective as a pass rusher, too, recording seven sacks in 13 games last season.
LB Smael Mondon Jr., Georgia
Mondon has excellent speed and range for a linebacker, bringing something different to the table than what the Texans currently have. He needs some polishing but in time, he could be a fun player in the middle of the defense. Plus, he comes from Georgia. That SEC bloodline is looking thin so far in 2025.
RB Jaydon Blue, Texas
The Texans are inevitably going to take a running back at some point with Dameon Pierce and Dare Ogunbowale entering contract years. Blue feels like a prospect who would help them create more explosive plays. He’s a promising receiver out of the backfield and can run away from defenders with his 4.38 speed, and he even improved on that number at Texas’ Pro Day, where he was timed as fast as 4.28.
RB Brashard Smith, SMU
Smith is a former receiver who moved to running back, which tells you what you need to know about his skill set. The Texans don’t have a running back who can create big plays as a receiver, nor do they have someone with Smith’s type of speed. He can be their change-of-pace running back behind Kyren Williams and Blake Corum.
RB Devin Neal, Kansas
Joe Mixon isn’t losing his job, but the Texans need a stable No. 2 option on the ground. Neal did it all over his last three seasons in Lawrence. He totaled over 1,000 yards each campaign and averaged 6.0 yards per attempt. Neal also finished with nearly 100 catches and four receiving touchdowns. He could be the ideal complement to Mixon as a player who does a bit of everything.
TE Jackson Hawes, Georgia Tech
Houston needs a blocking tight end who can serve as a stable force in the red zone. Hawes, who caught 15 passes over his time with the Yellow Jackets, is considered by some as the best blocking tight end in the class.
It’s another blocker for Stroud.
DT Joshua Farmer, Florida State
A strong-bodied defensive tackle who fits the smaller frame-type DeMeco Ryans’ covets? That’s a win right there. Farmer could end up being a Day 1 starter if in the right system.
10 more names Texans could target
- TE Gunnar Helm, Texas
- DT Deone Walker, Kentucky
- LB Chris Paul Jr., Ole Miss
- DT CJ West, Indiana
- DT Jordan Phillips, Maryland
- OG Miles Frazier, LSU
- DT JJ Pegues, Mississippi
- OT Ajani Cornelius, Oregon
- TE Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame
- RB DJ Giddens, Kansas State
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: NFL Draft: 20 players the Texans should target on Day 3
The Houston Texans hold six draft picks in their pocket heading into Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft, four of which are in the sixth round. This is when Nick Caserio and DeMeco Ryans often trade off pieces to move up in the draft, so don’t be surprised if two picks are combined to make a jump into Round 4 or 5 with the intention of selecting a potential starter.
So, who will be the next diamond in the rough to contribute for Houston? Looking at the 99 best available players on the consensus big board, the Texans should consider targeting any of these 15 prospects on Saturday afternoon. Not all of them will be available at Nos. 127 or 190, but they would all have relatively high ceilings in H-Town.
OT Cameron Williams, Texas
Williams could help answer the Texans’ questions at swing tackle since Tytus Howard might be better suited inside at guard for the 2025 season. He’s 6-foot-6 and powerful, also displaying good enough movement skills to get out and block on the edge in the run game.
OG Marcus Mbow, Purdue
Mbow could be the answer to the Texans’ woes at guard. He’s a former tackle who likely will transition inside full-time to guard since his frame better suits a move away from the edge. He’s not a Day 1 starter, but there’s at least potential for him to become a solid role player on most offensive lines.
LB Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma
Stutsman tested really well at the NFL combine, which isn’t very surprising considering how he plays the position. He good range and instincts, which help him against the run and dropping back into coverage.
DL Ty Robinson, Nebraska
Robinson is versatile in that he can line up just about anywhere up front. Like so many other Texans’ names on the defensive side, he excels with great effort and pursuit in the run game. The allowed him to make tackles and clog up running lanes. He’s effective as a pass rusher, too, recording seven sacks in 13 games last season.
LB Smael Mondon Jr., Georgia
Mondon has excellent speed and range for a linebacker, bringing something different to the table than what the Texans currently have. He needs some polishing but in time, he could be a fun player in the middle of the defense. Plus, he comes from Georgia. That SEC bloodline is looking thin so far in 2025.
RB Jaydon Blue, Texas
The Texans are inevitably going to take a running back at some point with Dameon Pierce and Dare Ogunbowale entering contract years. Blue feels like a prospect who would help them create more explosive plays. He’s a promising receiver out of the backfield and can run away from defenders with his 4.38 speed, and he even improved on that number at Texas’ Pro Day, where he was timed as fast as 4.28.
RB Brashard Smith, SMU
Smith is a former receiver who moved to running back, which tells you what you need to know about his skill set. The Texans don’t have a running back who can create big plays as a receiver, nor do they have someone with Smith’s type of speed. He can be their change-of-pace running back behind Kyren Williams and Blake Corum.
RB Devin Neal, Kansas
Joe Mixon isn’t losing his job, but the Texans need a stable No. 2 option on the ground. Neal did it all over his last three seasons in Lawrence. He totaled over 1,000 yards each campaign and averaged 6.0 yards per attempt. Neal also finished with nearly 100 catches and four receiving touchdowns. He could be the ideal complement to Mixon as a player who does a bit of everything.
TE Jackson Hawes, Georgia Tech
Houston needs a blocking tight end who can serve as a stable force in the red zone. Hawes, who caught 15 passes over his time with the Yellow Jackets, is considered by some as the best blocking tight end in the class.
It’s another blocker for Stroud.
DT Joshua Farmer, Florida State
A strong-bodied defensive tackle who fits the smaller frame-type DeMeco Ryans’ covets? That’s a win right there. Farmer could end up being a Day 1 starter if in the right system.
10 more names Texans could target
- TE Gunnar Helm, Texas
- DT Deone Walker, Kentucky
- LB Chris Paul Jr., Ole Miss
- DT CJ West, Indiana
- DT Jordan Phillips, Maryland
- OG Miles Frazier, LSU
- DT JJ Pegues, Mississippi
- OT Ajani Cornelius, Oregon
- TE Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame
- RB DJ Giddens, Kansas State
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: NFL Draft: 20 players the Texans should target on Day 3
