Best AFC 2025 NFL Draft picks
USA TODAY’s Tyler Dragon breaks down which teams in the AFC drafted the best this year.
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The Houston Texans started red hot in 2024 with a 5-1 record but stumbled down the stretch, going 5-6 to close the season. As it often can be in the NFL, injuries are to blame for Houston’s struggles in the latter half.
They still managed to win their second consecutive AFC South title, but ultimately could not overcome the Chiefs in the divisional round in Arrowhead. The division is loaded with talented young quarterbacks, with C.J. Stroud among them. Since drafting Stroud second overall, the Texans have managed back-to-back division titles for the first time since 2018 and 2019.
Houston surprisingly traded five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil this offseason to the Washington Commanders for a package of draft selections in the 2025 and 2026 NFL drafts. Stroud was sacked 52 times last season and the team signed veterans Cam Robinson and Trent Brown in hopes of bolstering the unit.
Wide receiver Stefon Diggs signed with the Patriots in free agency, and Tank Dell is expected to miss most of the 2025 season recovering from a brutal knee injury. In early March, the Texans traded a seventh-round pick for veteran receiver Christian Kirk.
Houston used its first three draft picks to address more needs on offense. The Texans drafted wide receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel in the first three rounds to provide depth behind Nico Collins and Kirk. They also landed Aireontae Ersery in the second round, who was viewed as one of the top offensive linemen in the 2025 draft.
Nico Collins is a budding star and headlines the offense alongside veteran running back Joe Mixon.
Head coach DeMeco Ryans has proven to be an excellent leader for the organization and one of the NFL’s top defenses. The team retained the majority of its starters on that side of the ball. Derek Stingley Jr. and Jalen Pitre agreed to long-term deals. Star pass rusher Danielle Hunter signed a one-year extension and Will Anderson Jr. leads the unit that ranked first in ESPN’s pass rush win rate in 2024.
Will the Texans be legitimate Super Bowl contenders in 2025? Here’s a look at the opponents that stand in their way next season.
Texans 2025 opponents
Here’s the complete list of Texans opponents for 2025:
HomeRoadTennessee TitansIndianapolis ColtsJacksonville JaguarsKansas City ChiefsLos Angeles ChargersBaltimore RavensLos Angeles RamsSeattle Seahawks
Like every season, the Texans will face off against their division foes — the Colts, Jaguars and Titans — at home and on the road. This year, they’ll also take on the AFC West and NFC West teams as part of the NFL’s rotating schedule.
The Ravens, Buccaneers and Bills close out the slate of opponents for the Texans in 2025. Those teams were determined by the Texans’ first-place finish in their division.
Thanks to the NFL’s unbalanced schedule, it’s the AFC’s turn for an extra home game this season. Houston benefits from an additional home game, playing nine in front of the fans at NRG Stadium.
When is the 2025 NFL schedule release?
The NFL will unveil its full 2025 schedule on Wednesday, May 14.
On this date, the league will announce all 18 weeks of matchups and bye weeks for each team. This year’s schedule release will occur one day earlier than last year’s, which was on May 15.
Last year, the NFL announced the complete 2024 schedule at 8 p.m. ET, so fans can expect a similar timing this time around.