The Houston Texans’ 2024 offensive plan was simple, light up defenses with C.J. Stroud throwing to arguably the best trio of wide receivers in the NFL. The team already had Nico Collins and Tank Dell, then traded for Stefon Diggs.
Unfortunately, injuries derailed their plans. Collins missed five games after a Week 5 hamstring injury, Diggs tore his ACL midseason, and Dell suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 16. Houston holds the No. 25 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and PFSN predicts the Texans will reload its receiver room in the first round.
Texans Expected To Take Ohio State Receiver In First Round
Collins is Houston’s alpha receiver and was on fire before getting injured last season. He had 567 yards and three touchdowns when he left the team’s Week 5 game and led the team with 68 receptions, 1,006 yards, and seven scores in 2024.
Dell has developed into a solid second option in Houston since being drafted in 2023, but has had both seasons cut short by injuries. A fractured fibula ended his rookie season and a massive Week 16 knee injury cut his 2024 short. Dell finished last season with 51 catches, 667 yards, and three touchdowns. He’ll likely miss most of 2025.
The team reworked Diggs’ contract to make 2024 a contract year but a Week 8 torn ACL ended any chance of him returning to the club. The 10-year vet posted 47 catches, 496 yards, and three scores in 2024. A reunion with Houston is not expected.
So how will the team reload Stroud’s arsenal? PFSN’s Reese Decker recently released a three-round mock draft and expects Houston to select Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka with the No. 25 pick.
Reese Decker wrote, “Tank Dell will miss the 2025 season after suffering a gruesome knee injury in Kansas City, marking his second significant injury in as many years. Unfortunately, the Texans must prepare to move forward and bring in a familiar face to support franchise quarterback C.J. Stroud.
“At 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, Egbuka is a refined, reliable prospect. He plays an unselfish brand of football, willing to be a physical force as a perimeter blocker. Egbuka has a natural feel for space and valuable positional versatility. He’s a smooth route runner with excellent body control and consistently delivers in high-pressure moments.
“For a Texans offense looking for more consistency and another playmaking threat alongside Nico Collins, Egbuka could be the perfect solution.”
Egbuka’s first two years at Ohio State overlapped with Stroud’s final two, with the team making it to the College Football Playoff Semifinal in 2022. Egbuka had 74 receptions, 1,151 yards, and 10 touchdowns running routes for Stroud that season, and a reunion could be perfect.
Last season the Buckeyes won the National Championship in the first year of the newly expanded CFP. In 16 games Egbuka posted 81 catches, 1,011 yards, and 10 more scores. He has 26 career touchdowns (24 receiving, 2 rushing) with 12 coming while Stroud orchestrating the offense. The Texans need receiving help, and a familiar face should boost Stroud’s confidence after a rocky sophomore campaign.
