One of the nice things about the NFL’s calendar is that you don’t have to wait very long in between the NFL Draft and some sort of activity involving the new rookie class. The NFL Draft wasn’t even two weeks ago, and we will get our first look at the Texans’ nine draftees this weekend, as they perform “on the grass,” as DeMeco Ryans likes to say, at rookie minicamp on Friday and Saturday.

It’s early, and it should be noted that the rookies will not be in pads nor hitting, but early impressions will be formed, one way or the other. Here are my four biggest questions before heading back to the Methodist Training Center for the first time since last season:

What will Graham Mertz’s workload look like?
For the first time since taking C.J. Stroud with the second overall pick of the 2023 draft, the Texans used a pick on a quarterback, moving up in the sixth round to take Florida QB Graham Mertz. Mertz had an up and down career in Gainesville, and before that at Wisconsin, but he has some traits that the Texans feel can be developed. Mertz is coming off of an ACL tear, so he may be limited in what he can do, but for certain, he will be in attendance, and we will at least get to see how he looks physically.

Is this where the search for the next Jon Weeks begins?
It would appear so! For the first time since 2009, the Texans will embark on a season without longtime long snapper Jon Weeks in a Texans uniform, as the team allowed him to walk in free agency. Weeks is now a 49er. So we are in new territory, actually paying attention to snaps on punts and kicks. The two names to remember are street free agent Tucker Addington and undrafted rookie Justin Brinkman.

Do the two Iowa State rookie wide receivers give us some excitement?
The highlight of the Texans’ 2025 draft class is undoubtedly the combination of the two rookie wide receivers from Iowa State University, second round pick Jayden Higgins and third round selection Jaylin Noel. Higgins is a Nico Collins-style wide receiver, who is big bodied, but also has deceptive deep speed. Noel is more in the Tank Dell mold, with some quick twitch and downfield speed. Hopefully, we get some drills with the receivers going against the defensive backs.

Which rookie are you most excited to see?
I’m excited to see Jaylen Reed, because Jaylen Reed seems excited about EVERYTHING:

Jaylen Reed is hype!! 😂 pic.twitter.com/wXFmibmCvY

— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) April 26, 2025 Listen to Sean Pendergast on SportsRadio 610 from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. weekdays. Also, follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/SeanTPendergast, on Instagram at instagram.com/sean.pendergast, and like him on Facebook at facebook.com/SeanTPendergast.