The Houston Texans will look to progress beyond the Divisional Round despite tough AFC schedule in 2025

Houston Texans 2025 key additions

The Houston Texans have reworked the wide receiver room during the offseason, following the departure of Stefon Diggs.

Diggs may have worked out long-term for the organization had he stayed healthy, but the torn ACL proved to be enough for the Texans to move on. They instead traded for Christian Kirk from the Jacksonville Jaguars, before drafting both Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel in back-to-back rounds of the draft.

The offensive line has undergone a makeover too, with the Texans trading veteran Laremy Tunsil to the Washington Commanders. Cam Robinson will take his place, while free agent guard Laken Tomlinson is expected to claim the starting role at left guard.

The Texans did draft the player that they believe will be the future at left tackle, selecting Aireontae Ersery out of Minnesota in the second round.

On the defensive side, safety CJ Gardner-Johnson could be a major impact player in 2025, having just won the Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Gardner-Johnson’s exit from the Philadelphia Eagles was a result of cap constraints, and the Texans may now benefit from having the experienced safety join what was already a very impressive young secondary.

Houston Texans’ key departures

The production at wide receiver will be something to keep an eye on.

Stefon Diggs was playing well before he got hurt, in a role that will likely be occupied by Christian Kirk. There is a lack of experienced depth beyond Kirk and Nico Collins, meaning the two rookies will have to perform early in their NFL careers.

The Texans are likely to be without Tank Dell for some time yet, too, following the gruesome lower leg injury he suffered in 2024. There is a good chance he misses the entire 2025 season, intending to return in 2026.

Key player to watch for the Houston Texans in 2025

Jayden Higgins

Rookie wide receiver Jayden Higgins is expected to line up opposite Nico Collins this season, and has already been making a great impression at training camp.

The receiver caught 87 passes for 1,185 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in the 2024 season, while playing for Iowa State.

He’s six-foot-four with elite speed, can run all of the routes, and knows how to win against man coverage. He could easily be the Texans’ second target this season, especially if CJ Stroud begins to trust him early in the year.

Biggest question mark for the Houston Texans in 2025

The Texans’ offensive line has undergone a major shakeup during the offseason, and while they’ve done a good job in replacing the pieces they lost, it can take time for a new group to gel.

Laremy Tunsil’s exit will be felt the most, with the franchise left tackle being a five-time Pro Bowler, including the 2024 season.

Cam Robinson gave up eight sacks in the 2024 season, including three in the final four games of the year. He is not the player that Laremy Tunsil has been in the league, but at least he has the veteran presence of a player who has started seven seasons in the league.

Houston Texans schedule and record projection

The Houston Texans will open their season with a road game against the LA Rams, in what will be a tough early test for DeMeco Ryans and his team.

They should have a good opportunity to win the AFC South in 2025. The Tennessee Titans are still in the middle of a rebuild with rookie quarterback Cam Ward, and the Indianapolis Colts are trying to figure out if they have a franchise QB in Anthony Richardson.

That said, the Jacksonville Jaguars may present a challenge in 2025, with a budding star in Brian Thomas Jr. now being joined by two-way phenomenon Travis Hunter.

Outside of the division, the Texans will host the likes of the Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as well as having road games against the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, and the LA Rams.

They’re facing most of the toughest teams in the AFC this season, and will need to show that they can beat them if they want to be considered a contender for the Super Bowl.

Record projections: 9-7