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Who Did the Houston Texans Draft?

In the 2025 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans drafted …

• Jayden Higgins | WR
• Aireontae Ersery | OT
• Jaylin Noel | WR
• Jaylin Smith | CB
• Jo'Quavious Marks | RB
• Jaylen Reed | S
• Graham Mertz | QB
• Kyonte Hamilton | DL

Grading the Texans NFL Draft

Houston Texans | Draft Grade: D+

The Texans entered the festivities in desperate need for offensive line help. It had to be a nightmare watching six offensive linemen go in the top 24. Minnesota’s selection of Ohio State OG Donovan Jackson one slot ahead of Houston’s pick may have been the final straw in the Texans’ ultimate decision to bail its slot.

That certainly was not the preferred outcome heading in—but credit Houston for at least acknowledging the situation it was in and taking strong value via trade as opposed to reaching for the next-best option on its iOL board. 

Houston picked up the No. 99 pick and a 2026 third-rounder from the Giants—who took QB Jaxson Dart—in exchange for sliding down nine slots to No. 34. In that slot, the Texans began their aggressive efforts to fix the receiver room via WR Jayden Higgins (more on him below). In Round 3, they reunited Higgins with his collegiate teammate Jaylin Noel.

Noel was a steal in Round 3. Noel was an extremely productive slot receiver in the Big 12, catching 60 or more passes each of his last three seasons. Noel’s best traits are instant acceleration and body control. He attacks off the line with burst, and his movements are controlled-by-a-joystick precise from there. 

In this way, Noel consistently creates separation. That’s always been a staple of his game. Where Noel has improved is in his hands and his ability to finish plays in traffic. Noel slashed his drop rate from 10% in 2022 all the way to 4.8% last season. He also converted 51% of his career 39 contested opportunities, a tremendous showing for his size. Noel profiles as a high-volume starting NFL slot.

Jayden Higgins Fantasy Football Value

Ian Hartitz: Higgins figures to immediately slot in as the Texans' No. 3 WR alongside Nico Collins and Christian Kirk. While a rotation is possible considering Houston added fellow Iowa State talent Jaylin Noel in Round 3, Higgins' near first-round draft capital should make him the frontrunner. A Year 3 bounceback from C.J. Stroud could feasibly boost Higgins into boom-or-bust WR3 territory, although for now there's still more bankable volume for WR4/5 guys like Rashid Shaheed and Keon Coleman.

H2: More 2025 NFL Draft Grades By Team

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