The good work of Houston Texans GM Nick Caserio is vindicated here with a list every draft pick wants to be on

The best way to build an NFL roster is through the draft.

The Houston Texans have done a great job of doing just that, which is why they're one of the up and coming teams in the league. Building through the draft not only gives teams affordable control of their players on rookie contracts, but they can also mold them to fit their strengths on the field and culture in the locker room.

Pro Football Focus released its annual list of ranking the top 25 players under the age of 25, and for the second consecutive year, Houston has three players featured. That trail only the Detroit Lions, who have five players on the list. Let's take a look at the three Texans who made the cut.

No. 7: DE Will Anderson Jr.

From PFF: "After being named the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2023, Anderson improved upon his excellent debut season with a top-10 PFF overall grade (88.8) for the position in 2024. His improvement as a pass rusher translated to production, including 14.5 sacks, up from his eight as a rookie. Anderson also improved his run defense in Year 2, cracking the top 10 in PFF run-defense grade (81.1) for the first time in his career."

Anderson shot up seven spots from No. 14 on 2024's list. He will be eligible for a contract extension after the 2025 season. If he continues to improve as he did from his rookie to sophomore season, Anderson could quickly find himself among the top paid pass rushers in the league.

No. 12: QB C.J. Stroud

From PFF: "Stroud would likely be higher on this list if not for a Year 2 that didn’t quite live up to expectations based on his Offensive Rookie of the Year performance in 2023. But, with that said, Stroud was still very good, finishing as the 11th-highest-graded passer (tied) in 2024. Due to that solid play, and the nature of the position, Stroud ranks behind only Jayden Daniels on this list in average PFF WAR generated over the past three seasons, and it's worth noting that he did so on a larger sample size. Stroud will turn just 24 years old during the 2025 season, so it shouldn’t surprise anyone if Year 3 is his best season yet."

Stroud is down five spots from No. 12 on last year's list. Much of his statistical decline can be attributed to the poor performance from his offensive line, as he was sacked the second most times of all QBs in the league. Like Anderson, Stroud could receive an extension after the 2025 season.

No. 13: CB Derek Stingley Jr.

From PFF: "Stingley endured some struggles and injuries as a rookie in 2022, but over the past two seasons, he has emerged as one of the best cornerbacks in the league — not just among those under the age of 25. The former third-overall pick delivered a top-five PFF coverage grade in 2023 and then finished the 2024 season with the second-best mark, behind only reigning Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain II. Stingley also allowed just a 39.6 NFL passer rating when targeted, the best mark in the league in 2024."

Stingley unsurprisingly moved up 10 spots from 2024's list after playing in every single game for the first time in his career. After recording five interceptions and 18 passes defensed last season, Houston rewarded Stingley with a three-year, $90 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid CB in NFL history.