Of course that would be preferred, you willing to spend 2-58 on a TE that might be there and might be as good as Mayer? Mayer is still on his rookie deal for 2 more years and is proven. Give me this over a lot of draft and hope, particularly when it comes to the Texans and their inability to draft decent TE's, much less as good as a solid TE like Mayer. An awesome draft for me would be drafting 1. Jackson OSU 2. Mukuba Texas 3. Collins Texas or Alexander Toledo 4. Trade for Mayer
Without question. He's a legit 2nd round talent that the Raiders goofed in grabbing Bowers without a plan for both. I think he's as good or better than any of the QBs in this draft and it's likely 2 or 3 might go in the 1st round, so getting him for that would be getting a discount. I feel like many here under appreciate the inability for us to draft a good TE. Look at the difference between the Texans and the teams we're chasing. They all have TEs who are threats and we don't. Schultz being re-signed, is more a reaction to the Texans' poor drafting at TE than many realize. I think a good pro comp for Mayer's game is Jason Witten. He can block and catch and could be that safety blanket as a non-WR, especially if we aren't playing a pass catching RB. He's not a HOFer like Witten yet, clearly, but is in a similar type of mold for ability and game type. I'd trade a 4th for that sort of fit for this team.
https://www.si.com/nfl/takeaways-quinn-ewers-nfl-draft-combine • Count South Carolina’s Nick Emmanwori as one of this week’s biggest winners. At 6’ 3” and 220 pounds, he became the first safety ever to go under 4.4 in the 40-yard dash (4.38), hit a 43-inch vertical and broad jumped 11’ 6”. I’ll be interested to hear, in the weeks to come, how teams see a guy who’s built like Derwin James or Kam Chancellor. • Another linemen who I heard blew folks away in meetings—Alabama OG Tyler Booker. I had one veteran exec tell me Booker’s was the best combine interview he’d ever had with an offensive lineman. • Texas WR Matthew Golden is in really solid shape leaving Indy. His football makeup is considered to be outstanding, and now his speed is verified at 4.29. I think there’s a shot he leapfrogs Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan as the first receiver picked. He and Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka (who’s waiting until his pro day to run, with his season having ended Jan. 20) are both considered smart, safe prospects who project to be Amon-Ra St. Brown-type weapons. https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2025/...draft-risers-mel-kiper-prospects-top-workouts Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina | Height: 6-3 | Weight: 220 Everyone was talking about Emmanwori as a potential combine standout. He lived up to the hype in a big way. His 43-inch vertical and 11-foot, 6-inch broad jump ranked No. 1 among all players. His 4.38-second time in the 40 ranked second among safeties (though his 1.49-second 10-yard split was first). It was pure domination, and his outstanding explosion was on full display. Toss in really good production in college (four picks in 2024), and he might end up being the first safety off the board. I had Georgia's Malaki Starks (who ran a solid 4.50) over him at No. 14 to the Colts in the mock draft. Emmanwori was No. 27 to the Ravens. Those two might flip spots after this week. Matthew Golden, WR, Texas | Height: 5-11 | Weight: 191 Texas teammate Isaiah Bond might have received the buzz coming into the combine, but Golden stole it with a 4.29-second run in the 40. He has serious wheels. Golden didn't do the jumps, but that 40 time will propel him up the board. His production was impressive last season (987 yards and nine touchdowns), and he emerged as the Longhorns' top receiver, despite the expectation that Bond would be that guy. Golden entered combine week as my No. 5 receiver in the class and in the early-Round 2 mix. But now, he is probably a top-25 pick. The Steelers (No. 21) and Chargers (No. 22) could give him a long look. Jared Wilson, C, Georgia | Height: 6-3 | Weight: 310 Wilson ran the fastest 40-yard dash among offensive linemen at 4.84 seconds, with an outstanding 1.71-second 10-yard split. My top-ranked center has tremendous quickness on the interior, giving up zero sacks over 967 career snaps. Though he has some experience at guard, he's a center in the NFL, which means he isn't likely to go in Round 1. But I'm confident there's no way he gets past Round 2. Jonah Savaiinaea, OT/G, Arizona | Height: 6-4 | Weight: 324 Savaiinaea is looking like a late-Day 1 or early-Day 2 pick. He ran a 4.95 in the 40, third among offensive linemen, and moves well on tape. Some scouts have wondered if he's a better fit inside at guard, where he played in 2022 and for part of the 2023 season. But he spent 2024 split between left and right tackle, and he has the length (33⅞ inches) to stay outside in the pros.
25. Selection: Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama Fit: Houston could have gone wide receiver in this spot, but the board didn't break their way. Instead, they can target a mauler in the middle of the offensive line who can help boost all facets of Houston's offense. Protecting CJ Stroud for those aggressive shots downfield should be a top priority for the Texans this offseason, and Booker helps in a big way. 57. Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State
25. HOUSTON TEXANS: T JOSH SIMMONS, OHIO STATE Simmons would go much higher in this mock draft if he weren't rehabbing from major knee surgery. But according to him, rehab is going great — so great that he might even have a personal pro day before the draft. That is huge news, as he looked like one of the top players in this class before getting hurt. The Texans need interior offensive line help, but they could take the top talent in Simmons to play opposite Laremy Tunsil and move Blake Fisher inside. Don’t force needs; pick good players.
Major knee surgery scares me off this pick, but I have to admit, I sometimes cave under pressure in mock draft sims and make panic picks. I can see it now: light participation in training camp, one series in the 2nd preseason game (he will be ready for Week 1), DNP in practice, Out for week 1 (we are taking it day to day)
If one of Noel/Harris/Higgins are there at 2-58 who are you picking? Throw TE Taylor into the mix at 2-58?
If healthy and I would be scared to death to pick him. Look at Howard as an example of a guy coming off of a patellar tear as a guide. If healthy Simmons wont fall to 1-26.
I’m hoping they address the guard position in free agency. Do not want to spend another #1 on a guard. Rather WR or DT
If things fell like this, then Banks or Jackson should be the pick at 1-26. After seeing this I'm all for trading down to the top of the 2nd and picking Jackson or Zabel.
I would pick Alexander at 3-89 How would you feel about trading down to the top of the 2nd and picking a guy like Zabel and picking up an extra 3rd? They've gotta protect CJ and picking an OG high, plus signing an OG in FA shouldn't be out of the question.
Out them I think I would go Higgins or possible Harris. I've read to many things that bring up Noel's drops, although I may be looking for a negative.
