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TRJ’s Final Mock Draft 2025

T

TheRealJoker V2

Veteran
1.25) Donovan Jackson OG OSU
One of the cleanest prospects in the draft. Texans had maybe the worst guard play we’ve had since Carr set the sack record. Jackson fills a significant need and allows you to forget about the LG spot as long as he is playing. Scheme-versatile prototype at the position. Brings the right mentality to the unit as well and can kick to LT in a pinch if needed as we saw in the CFB playoffs.

2.58) Jack Bech WR TCU
Finds a way to make plays. Makes the short/intermediate routes automatic with his sure hands and advanced route running skills. Size and strength to box out defenders and add YAC with the ball in his hands. Tough player with inside/outside versatility who gets after it in the run game as a blocker as well. Play him where you need him, you will have a tough time keeping him off the field. Have seen comps to Puka Nacua and Eric Decker.

3.79) Elic Ayomanor WR Stanford
High upside WR. Lit up Travis Hunter in 2023. Converted hockey player
and true junior still learning position. Physical run blocker. Excellent measurables. 6’2” 203 32” arms 10” hands. 4.4 speed has the physical tools to do anything you want him to do as an outside WR. Betting on upside. Played ST gunner as a freshmen so can provide ST value until earning more playing time on offense.

3.89) Vernon Broughton DT Texas

This might be a little early for him but I don’t care. I love the traits and want to see what the coaches can create. I see Denico Autry when I watch him play. Chaos creator who can line up anywhere on the DL. 6’5” 311 with 35” arms. More disruptive than Alfred Collins when watching them play this season.

So many DL to choose from, I take one of them here and get a scheme-versatile weapon for DeMeco to mold into a destructive force that will be the cherry on top of what is already the league’s best defense on paper coming into the season. With 31 year old Mario Edwards (2 years) the only DT on the roster signed past this season, this pick will “reset” the DT pipeline as well getting a talented high upside player on a rookie contract.

5.166) LeQuint Allen RB Syracuse

20 years old. 6’ 200 lbs 32” arms 10 1/8” hands. Tall skinny RB, reminds me of Calen Bullock in build. 128 snaps in slot/out wide this past season. 300 touches between rushes/receptions. Extremely physical pass blocker, maybe best in the draft. Great hands/route runner. Again, if not the best pass catching back he’s in that mix. So good you might consider cross training him at WR to fill in if the team is hit by the injury bug again. Gives 4 down value with passing down skillset and ST upside. Dare replacement?

Texans interviewed his OC Jeff Nixon this offseason. I think to pick Nixon’s brain about the unique ways he utilized his player’s skillsets this past season.

7.236) Jaylin Smith CB USC

Former teammate of Calen Bullock. Has played safety, nickel and outside CB. Also experience as a ST gunner. Physical in run support which is a prerequisite to play in DeMeco’s secondary. Add him to the competition and lets see if he can carve out a role.

7.241) Carson Bruener LB Washington
Special teams MVP 2023. Team captain and defensive MVP in 2024. Bruener is an easy guy to root for… no matter what he’s asked to do he tends to find his way to the football. Core ST candidate and appears to have good instincts in coverage. 104 tackles, 8 PDs and 3 INTs in 2024. One of only two power 4 defenders with at least 100 tackles and 3 INTs this past season. 4.58 40 and 6.77 3 cone suggests he has requisite speed/athleticism for position.
 
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My draft night prediction is the Texans use one of their 3rds to move up in 1st (if Kelvin Banks is in range) or 2nd (for one of the top tier WRs or DTs that fall).

But assuming no trades (haha) this is the group i’m rolling with going into the season.

My focus was finding “DeMeco guys” who play the game the way he wants to play. Attacking football, not reactive players. Guys that are good teammates and unselfish when it comes to doing things for the betterment of the team.

I feel good about the team’s chances of double dipping on WR this year and like my pairing of Bech and Ayomanor. Bech is the high floor guy who can play anywhere at WR. Ayomanor is the high upside outside WR that can create significant matchup issues if he hits. The quick game gets fixed with Bech and Kirk, Ayomanor gives a big play option other than Nico while he learns the nuances of the position.

Donovan Jackson gives me a day 1 starter that helps reset the culture on the OL. I played with Egbuka here and taking OL at 58 but I want to guarantee my success and get the prototype at OG. My OG1 in this draft. Banks would be my first option but I don’t expect him to be there at 25. I expect him to go top 15.

Broughton brings a guy with high upside to the DL and a much-needed rookie contract added to the unit when planning for the future.

Allen gives the team a much-needed 3rd down back who you may consider transitioning to WR in the future. Great size for WR but tall gangly frame makes me hesitant to ever consider him for bell cow work. Will play anywhere you ask him including ST.

Then the 7th round picks are a case of just getting good football players on the team that will play anywhere the coaches ask them and tend to find a way to be productive. Who doesn’t like getting those types of guys on their team?

All in all: This group brings much-needed weapons on offense. A foundational tone-setter to the OL. A rotational DT on a rookie contract and some ST competition with upside to develop into rotational pieces on defense.
 
Some exciting prospects there Real. I like the two picks in R7 as well.
I'd like to see you take another stab at the third pick - I doubt they take two receivers but they could conceivably take two Olineman.
Do you think they might take a TE?
 
TheRealJoker V2 said:
My draft night prediction is the Texans use one of their 3rds to move up in 1st (if Kelvin Banks is in range) or 2nd (for one of the top tier WRs or DTs that fall).

But assuming no trades (haha) this is the group i’m rolling with going into the season.

My focus was finding “DeMeco guys” who play the game the way he wants to play. Attacking football, not reactive players. Guys that are good teammates and unselfish when it comes to doing things for the betterment of the team.

I feel good about the team’s chances of double dipping on WR this year and like my pairing of Bech and Ayomanor. Bech is the high floor guy who can play anywhere at WR. Ayomanor is the high upside outside WR that can create significant matchup issues if he hits. The quick game gets fixed with Bech and Kirk, Ayomanor gives a big play option other than Nico while he learns the nuances of the position.

Donovan Jackson gives me a day 1 starter that helps reset the culture on the OL. I played with Egbuka here and taking OL at 58 but I want to guarantee my success and get the prototype at OG. My OG1 in this draft. Banks would be my first option but I don’t expect him to be there at 25. I expect him to go top 15.

Broughton brings a guy with high upside to the DL and a much-needed rookie contract added to the unit when planning for the future.

Allen gives the team a much-needed 3rd down back who you may consider transitioning to WR in the future. Great size for WR but tall gangly frame makes me hesitant to ever consider him for bell cow work. Will play anywhere you ask him including ST.

Then the 7th round picks are a case of just getting good football players on the team that will play anywhere the coaches ask them and tend to find a way to be productive. Who doesn’t like getting those types of guys on their team?

All in all: This group brings much-needed weapons on offense. A foundational tone-setter to the OL. A rotational DT on a rookie contract and some ST competition with upside to develop into rotational pieces on defense.
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Love this mock although I would probably double up on OL in either RD2 or 3 and pick a developmental WR like a Isaac TesLaa late in the draft. My favorite pick is Allen. Guys tough as nails and can catch the ball/run routes like a WR.

Great job.
 
Texansphan said:
Some exciting prospects there Real. I like the two picks in R7 as well.
I'd like to see you take another stab at the third pick - I doubt they take two receivers but they could conceivably take two Olineman.
Do you think they might take a TE?
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It was a matter of BPA. I feel better about a guy like Broughton developing into a dependable starter than someone I considered (Chase Lundt). Had Broughton a tick ahead due to superior size/length for position… also i’m more confident in a round 3 DL developing than OL at this time.
 
steelbtexan said:
Love this mock although I would probably double up on OL in either RD2 or 3 and pick a developmental WR like a Isaac TesLaa late in the draft. My favorite pick is Allen. Guys tough as nails and can catch the ball/run routes like a WR.

Great job.
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Given the projected talent available I leaned WR double dip. Get the future WR2/3 on a rookie contract and rinse/repeat while CJ uses Nico as his main target (like Chiefs do with Mahomes and Kelce/whoever else).

I feel better about this team developing a WR than OL round 2/3 given the options available and coaching staff’s track record.

Popovich has plenty of former high draft picks to work with and develop. Lets see what he can do with them. Then throw in Jackson as a day 1 plug and play. Plenty of competition on the OL now. Receiver needs some competition hence the double dip.
 
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TheRealJoker V2 said:
Given the projected talent available I leaned WR double dip. Get the future WR2/3 on a rookie contract and rinse/repeat while CJ uses Nico as his main target (like Chiefs do with Mahomes and Kelce/whoever else.

I feel better about this team developing a WR than OL round 2/3 given the options available and coaching staff’s track record.

Popovich has plenty of former high draft picks to work with and develop. Lets see what he can do with them. Then throw in Jackson as a day 1 plug and play. Plenty of competition on the OL now. Receiver needs some competition hence the double dip.
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I can certainly see where you are coming from.
 
Here is what I wrote about Chase Lundt at 3.89 before going with Broughton. This was my toughest pick to decide on. Double dipping on OL vs getting a DT high enough that I thought they have a reasonable chance of actually making the team. I don’t draft guys with the plan to put them on the practice squad. If they aren’t a realistic candidate to make the team year 1, they aren’t on my board. So this year, 7th round DL are not being considered.

Chase Lundt OT Connecticut
Eric Winston 2.0. Tall short-armed RT that has the athleticism to get out in space and make any block you need him to make. Blasts defenders when blocking on the move looking to pancake (says he models his game after Penei Sewell). He was a set and forget it starter at RT for Connecticut while he was there playing over 3000 snaps. Senior Bowl and Shrine Bowl invite but unable to participate due to injury sustained in final game. Also unable to participate in athletic drills at combine, NFL athleticism on tape is evident.
 
TheRealJoker V2 said:
1.25) Donovan Jackson OG OSU
One of the cleanest prospects in the draft. Texans had maybe the worst guard play we’ve had since Carr set the sack record. Jackson fills a significant need and allows you to forget about the LG spot as long as he is playing. Scheme-versatile prototype at the position. Brings the right mentality to the unit as well and can kick to LT in a pinch if needed as we saw in the CFB playoffs
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I understand everyone wants a shiny new LT, but if we really want to fix our OL, this is the way. Inside out
 
If I’m choosing between LT- Kelvin Banks or LG- Donovan Jackson…..it’s going to be pretty easy for me.

I’m taking Jackson b/c I see LG as the biggest need on the OL. This is mostly due to Howard.

Since this is my personal view, I’ll select the top LG in the draft versus a primary LT who’ll need to learn the LG position. Jackson also played LT for the final 9 games of his college career….and did so at a better than acceptable level.
 
OptimisticTexan said:
If I’m choosing between LT- Kelvin Banks or LG- Donovan Jackson…..it’s going to be pretty easy for me.

I’m taking Jackson b/c I see LG as the biggest need on the OL. This is mostly due to Howard.

Since this is my personal view, I’ll select the top LG in the draft versus a primary LT who’ll need to learn the LG position. Jackson also played LT for the final 9 games of his college career….and did so at a better than acceptable level.
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I think the draft will make the decision for us. Nick isn’t going to force a trade. I think the farthest Banks will slide is pick 13. He is the only player I would consider trading up for (maybe Loveland) and i’m not opening that option up until pick 20 or so.

Too many OL that can help this team, should have one available at 25 if we stick and pick. If there are several they like, maybe trade down if that’s available.

I am expecting one trade up in the first two rounds. Most likely the 2nd (BPA between DT, WR and RB are my thoughts).
 
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