Ranked #3 of ESPN's 100 Best Choices Texan
Despite only one offensive winger added, there is still a lot of things to like in the Houston Texans' transportation at the 2025 NFL Draft. After a record 7 trades in three days, the Texans stood out with nine players (offensive, 4-time Defense Department) and added a 2026 future third-round pick to move back to nine positions.
The results from experts are mostly positive, and the Texans generally get a stable B based on 24 different assessments from analysts.
ESPN's Matt Miller highlighted the 100 best picks in this year's draft based on value, program fit, position demand and other factors. Of these 100 choices, three future Texan stars advanced.
The biggest surprise? Houston's first draft pick, Jayden Higgins, is not listed.
Iowa wide receiver Jaylin Noel is ranked 30th. Noel's value as a third-round pick could make him steals in the AFC South after more than 60 consecutive catch seasons.
“I hope Noel will leave the board early in the second round. Instead, he slipped into round 3, and the Texans paired him with college teammate Jayden Higgins to improve their catchroom,” Miller wrote. “Noel won 39 wins on my board because Noel's agility and depth speed on the line made him a plug-in receiver, so Noel won the injured receiver Tank Dell.”
Despite being considered a value choice for day 2, second-round draft pick Aireontae Ersery is ranked 91st.
“Sometimes fit in the level of bias,” Miller wrote. “After trading Laremy Tunsil, the Texans were desperately looking for a future left tackle, but they didn't have to force Esery into the location immediately with Cam Robinson in 2025.”
Sixth-round draft pick Jaylen Reed is also ranked 96th for his identity in the Demeco Ryans system. In a post-draft interview, Reed compared his play style to the newly acquired CJ Gardner-Johnson. Miller believes he is a 2025 security policy, while also contributing to special teams.
“Reed is a tough, instant security that will have a direct impact on special teams,” Miller wrote. “He has the tools to enter the field with subpackage while developing into a starter with strong security.”
For several years, no one would know exactly how good the class was, but early assessments were positive by experts. The Texans’ four draft picks will have the opportunity to contribute early in their careers, but at least eight of them may be role-players for a long time.