Houston Texans

The Houston Texans selected Iowa State WR Jaylin Noel with the No. 79 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

Jaylin Noel is a quick-footed route runner with sharp plants and cuts for ample separation.

Noel is a space-creating route runner with good suddenness at the top of his routes to separate quickly from man coverage. He uses quick footwork to freeze defenders at the line of scrimmage before getting vertical into his route. Noel's short-area quickness is a great asset to finding success as a quick game-winner—he can get to his spot quickly and be available for his QB.

If given a free release, he has an urgent burst off the ball to stem vertically and attack defensive backs. He sells those routes well without tipping his hand on when the break will come. Noel is a manipulative route runner with good stop-and-start ability. His double moves with sudden direction changes put defenders in conflict down the field.

Noel is an alignment versatile playmaker. Iowa State put him in numerous positions to attack opposing defenses. He has aligned in the slot, outside, and in the backfield with both static alignment and pre-snap motions.

Noel will benefit from adding better hand usage against handsy cornerbacks at the line of scrimmage. His footwork is on par with moving defenders off their spot and forcing them to open their hips, but he doesn't clear their hands from making contact. He will get tangled up and stuck trying to disengage, forcing the QB to look elsewhere due to disrupted route timing. I'd like to see more YAC from Noel. With his agility and quickness, you'd expect him to average more than four yards per reception after the catch.

Separation is pivotal to success for Noel's success. I am not sure his contested catch conversion rate translates to the NFL. Noel does not have a great catch radius or wingspan to out-battle NFL cornerbacks at the catch point. Drops have nagged Noel throughout his career. He has a drop rate of 7.2%

Jaylin Noel projects as a quick winning slot receiver and assumes the WR3 role in an NFL offense. The combination of route running, suddenness, and quick-twitch abilities make him a difficult cover out of the slot position. Noel is a reliable separator who can move the chains routinely. His ceiling may be capped due to limited physical tools and size.

MEASUREMENT AND WORKOUT RESULTS

HEIGHT: 5'10"

WEIGHT: 196

HAND: 8½"

ARM: 30⅛"

WINGSPAN: 72½"

40-YARD DASH: 4.39

3-CONE: 6.82

SHUTTLE: 4.17

VERTICAL: 41.5"

BROAD: 11'2"

POSITIVES

— Quick-footed receiver who can freeze defensive backs in their tracks at LOS.

— Sharp planter/cutter at the top of his routes to pull away from the defender.

— Space creation artist; talented route runner and separator.

— Urgent burst and acceleration off the line of scrimmage.

NEGATIVES

— Dealt with nagging drops throughout career.

— Limited catch radius to convert contested catches against long-limbed NFL CBs.

— Post-catch creativity, minimal yard after contact created.

— Against press coverage, he does not utilize his hands enough to disengage from CBs.

NOTES

— Born Sept. 4, 2002

— 3-Star recruit in 2021 class, per 247Sports

— 2024: First-Team All-Big 12 (KR/PR); Co-Captain; Honorable Mention All-Big 12 WR

— 2023: Co-Captain; Second Team All-Big 12; Honorable Mention All-Big 12 KR/PR & Offensive POY

GRADE: 7.5 (Potential Impact Player—2nd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 53

POSITION RANK: WR7

PRO COMPARISON: Christian Kirk

Written by B/R NFL Scout Dame Parson

The Houston Texans selected Penn State S Jaylen Reed with the No. 187 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

Jaylen Reed is a versatile safety prospect from Penn State with an impressive frame and physical build. His thick lower half and above-average length give him the physical tools to handle the demands of the NFL, particularly in roles closer to the line of scrimmage. Reed's high football IQ and aggressive mindset make him a solid contributor, particularly in the run game and blitzing situations, where his natural instincts help him make plays.

Reed is a willing tackler who thrives in the box, showing an aggressive approach to run support. He comes downhill with urgency and is effective at closing the gap on ball-carriers. His physicality, however, doesn't always translate to consistent tackling security. Reed tends to wrap high and wrestle with ball-carriers, leading to missed tackles. Additionally, he can overrun plays due to poor angles, and his preference to run around blockers instead of engaging them directly can leave him out of position. While not a dominant enforcer, Reed's ability to disrupt plays near the line of scrimmage gives him value in specific run-stopping roles.

Reed is primarily a zone defender, where his football IQ and instincts allow him to react to plays and put himself in a position to make stops. He displays aggression in coverage, looking to jump routes and break on the ball, though this tendency can lead to lapses in positioning and open opportunities for opposing offenses. Reed's movement skills are adequate but not elite; he lacks the burst and top-end speed to recover against faster players consistently. His fluidity in space is hampered by occasional heavy-footedness, particularly when redirecting, which limits his ability to cover quick-twitch receivers or adjust in space. Reed's below-average awareness in underneath coverage also hinders his ability to track threats effectively, as he tends to focus on the quarterback rather than scanning the field.

Jaylen Reed projects as a developmental prospect with the potential to carve out a role as a box safety or special teams contributor. While his physical tools and IQ are assets, his inconsistencies in tackling, limited range, and average movement skills suggest a more specialized role early in his career. If deployed close to the line of scrimmage in a scheme that minimizes his coverage liabilities, Reed has the potential to develop into a reliable rotational player.

MEASUREMENT AND WORKOUT RESULTS

HEIGHT: 6'0"

WEIGHT: 209

40-YARD DASH: 4.49

VERTICAL: 33½"

POSITIVES

— Athlete with good overall build, thick lower half and above average length. Has the frame to hold up to the physical demands at the next level.

— Versatility to play at multiple levels of the defense. Aggressive in the blitz game and comes downhill quickly.

— High football IQ player who puts himself in position to make plays.

NEGATIVES

— Willing tackler but inconsistent tackling security due to poor angles and can overrun ball-carriers at times.

— Lacks ideal burst, explosion, and limited top end speed. Fluid athlete but lacks elite movement skills. Can get heavy footed in space, especially when redirecting at the last second.

— Below average awareness in underneath coverage. Stares at quarterback with limited feel for threats.

NOTES

— Games Started: 29

— 4-Star recruit in the 2021 class, per 247Sports

—2024: 2nd Team All-Big Ten

GRADE: 6.2 (Developmental Prospect — 5th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 197

POSITION RANK: S18

PRO COMPARISON: Jaquan Johnson

Written by B/R NFL Scout Cory Giddings

The Houston Texans will have a new-look wide receiver room in 2025 after making new additions in free agency, but the team reportedly isn't done addressing the position.

ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime reported that league sources said, "Even with the free agent moves, the Texans are still expected to add receivers in the draft" to help overcome the loss of veteran wideout Stefon Diggs and the uncertainty surrounding Tank Dell's recovery timeline from his devastating knee injury. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. and Field Yates predicted in their latest mock draft that Houston would land Arizona wideout Tetairoa McMillan with the No. 25 pick.

After the Texans let Diggs walk in free agency, he signed a three-year, $69 million contract with the New England Patriots. Houston has also opted not to re-sign veteran free agent wideout Robert Woods. Dell suffered multiple torn ligaments and a dislocated kneecap in a Week 16 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, so it can be expected that he will be sidelined for a large portion of the 2025 campaign.

The Texans made up for those losses by acquiring veteran receiver Christian Kirk from the Jacksonville Jaguars and signing free agents Braxton Berrios and Justin Watson. Kirk is expected to have a featured role alongside incumbent receivers Nico Collins, John Metchie III and Xavier Hutchinson.

"I love Christian -- just his speed," head coach DeMeco Ryans said at the league annual meetings. "That's the one thing that jumps out about him; his redeeming trait. He's a fast player. He's made a lot of nice plays in the slot, running the deep routes in the slot, or it's the option routes, winning on third down. So, I'm excited to see what he brings on third down. I think he can really open up a lot of options for us on third down, especially from the inside position. He can be a friendly target for [quarterback C.J. Stroud]."

Still, it sounds like Houston is hoping to make a youthful addition to its receiving corps early in the draft. Bien-Aime noted that the team brought in Texas' Matthew Golden and Washington State's Kyle Williams for pre-draft visits. Texans general manager Nick Caserio had high praise for the prospects in this year's draft class.

"There's a number of players at [wide receiver] that look like they're gonna have an opportunity to help their team," he said. "I would say that position in particular in the draft, it certainly looks like there's some players that are going to be able to help whoever drafts them."

Having been a full-time starter in each of his first three seasons, Jalen Pitre has been rewarded with a new contract from the Houston Texans.

Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Pitre agreed to terms on a three-year, $39 million extension with the Texans.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero added the deal includes $29.2 million in guaranteed money and makes Pitre the highest-paid nickel defender in the league.

This is the second major deal of the offseason that Houston has made for a key player in its secondary. Derek Stingley Jr. became the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history after receiving a three-year, $90 million extension in March.

Since DeMeco Ryans took over as head coach in 2023, the strength of Houston's roster has been the defense. The unit ranked third in DVOA last season, behind only the Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings.

Pitre arrived in Houston one year before Ryans as part of the team's 2022 draft class. He was a second-round pick out of Baylor and started all 17 games as a rookie, leading the team with 147 combined tackles and five interceptions.

The 2023 season was a step back for Pitre, though he did record six tackles for loss from the safety position.

With Jimmie Ward and Eric Murray serving as the starting safeties last season, Pitre entered training camp playing in the nickel spot. He had some familiarity with the position after playing the "STAR" role—a hybrid linebacker-cornerback—in his final two seasons at Baylor.

The move paid off with Pitre tying his career-high with eight passes defensed in 12 games. Thomas Valentine of Pro Football Focus named him the most improved player on the Texans during the 2024 season, touting his development as a run defender and seven pressures on 49 pass-rush attempts.

Pitre's 2024 campaign ended prematurely due to a torn pectoral muscle suffered in a Week 12 loss to the Tennessee Titans.

Getting Pitre back at full strength in 2025 only increases the depth of talent on a strong Houston defense. The Texans have a Super Bowl-caliber defense already. If they can build up the offensive line around C.J. Stroud, they have the pieces necessary to be a serious threat to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC next season.

The Houston Texans clearly liked what they saw from pass-rusher Danielle Hunter during his first season with the team, and they reportedly rewarded him with a contract extension as a result.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Wednesday that Houston and Hunter agreed to a one-year, $35.6 million contract extension that makes him the league's second-highest paid defensive end.

He is scheduled to make $32 million during the 2025 campaign and $55.1 million with $54.1 million guaranteed over the next two years.

According to Spotrac, Maxx Crosby tops all defensive ends in total cash for the 2025 season at $33.3 million. 

Notably, Myles Garrett checks in at $24.8 million in that category, although he agreed to a contract extension with the Cleveland Browns earlier this month that made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history at the time.

Houston initially signed Hunter to a two-year deal last offseason after he spent his first eight seasons in the league with the Minnesota Vikings. He was a four-time Pro Bowler with the Vikings and timed a career-best 16.5 sacks well during the 2023 campaign ahead of free agency.

He quickly answered any concerns that he would slow down during his age-30 season in Houston.

Danielle Hunter and the Texans are racking up the sacks

📺: #HOUvsDAL on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/ZWIA0xdUo0

— NFL (@NFL) November 19, 2024

The LSU product made his fifth career Pro Bowl behind 46 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, three passes defended and one forced fumble. He appeared in all 17 games and helped lead the Texans to an AFC South crown and playoff appearance.

Hunter also made up half of one of the best pass-rushing duos in the league alongside Will Anderson.

The Texans made Anderson one of the faces of their franchise when they selected him with the No. 3 overall pick of the 2023 NFL draft, and he and Hunter make each other better playing in the same defense. Opposing offensive lines cannot afford to double team both of them, which opens up blitzing lanes.

And those lanes will continue to open for longer following Wednesday's contract extension.

Some NFL teams questioned the Houston Texans for signing cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. to an extension when they had two years left on his rookie deal, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

"Derek Stingley did the right thing," Schefter said. "The Texans did something that I think in the long run is probably smart, but certainly got the eyebrows raised of other teams like, 'Why are they doing this now when he had two years left? Why weren't they waiting more?'

"I think that was one of the common reactions that I got from some other teams, but I think the Texans said 'we have somebody that we know is gonna be a huge part of our future. We're gonna continue to have him contractually tied to this team and this organization for as long as we can."'

Stingley's extension is for three years and $90 million, making him the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history in yearly value ($30 million).

In reality, he has a five-year, $113 million deal now when one includes (a) the remaining year on his rookie deal and (b) the fifth-year option, which the Texans picked up for 2026. The extension runs from 2027-2029.

Paper value of Derek Stingley's contract is 5 years $113.026 million. APY $22.605m

This is how the team will view it. pic.twitter.com/UAmO367ntG

— TexansCap (@TexansCap) March 17, 2025

The Texans selected Stingley out of LSU with the third overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft. Injuries kept him out for 14 total games over his first two seasons, but he starred in 2024, earning first team All-Pro honors with 54 tackles, 18 pass breakups, five interceptions and four tackles for a loss. He also picked off five passes.

According to NextGenStats (h/t houstontexans.com), "Stingley allowed the lowest passer rating (56.9) and lowest completion percentage (46.7%) among cornerbacks who played at least 400 coverage snaps this season."

Thanks in part to his efforts, the Texans won 10 straight games, took the AFC South and earned a Wild Card win for the second straight year.

Teams may ultimately question why Houston made the move, but the Texans may be smart to extend him early, as he's a clear superstar and cornerstone of this team as it looks for its first-ever Super Bowl.

The Houston Texans made a hefty financial commitment to star cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. on Monday.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Texans handed Stingley a new three-year extension worth $90 million that includes $89 million guaranteed. The 23-year-old is now the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history with a base value of $30 million per year on his new deal.

Houston has the future cap flexibility to handle the contract. It had just over $100.5 million in 2026 cap space prior to the reported agreement, which will be the first year that Stingley's extension kicks in (via Over the Cap).

His new deal represents 10.74 percent of the current league salary cap, per Spotrac's Michael Ginnitti.

Stingley is coming off a breakout 2024 campaign, establishing himself as one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL. He earned a Pro Bowl nod as well as AP All-Pro honors, becoming a key piece in a Houston secondary that owned the league's No. 6 pass defense.

In 17 starts last season, the LSU product racked up 54 tackles, 18 passes defensed, five interceptions and four tackles for loss.

STINGLEY AGAIN. HIS SECOND INT CALLS GAME. #MIAvsHOU pic.twitter.com/Hv7QYO4axE

— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2024

He was particularly stellar in pass coverage. He allowed a 45.3 percent completion rate as well as a 39.6 passer rating when targeted in 2024, via Pro Football Focus.

Stingley also stepped up in the postseason, recording five passes defensed and two interceptions during the Houston's run to the divisional round of the playoffs.

Derek Stingley showing the muscle on 4th down 💪

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/Vx09HVhDsC

— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) January 11, 2025

An extension agreement appeared to be a likely outcome entering the offseason, with Texans general manager Nick Caserio praising the cornerback at the 2025 NFL scouting combine.

“Derek is a great player," he said, per KPRC 2 Houston's Aaron Wilson. "He has expressed sentiments about wanting to be here. We want Derek to be here. There's a process we'll have to go through."

"Derek has earned the opportunity here because of his play, his performance and the fact he wants to be here is because of the players in the locker room and what DeMeco has done to lead our program," he added.

As the Texans attempt to clinch a third consecutive AFC South title in 2025, they reportedly locked in Stingley on a new three-year extension.

The Houston Texans are making cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Schefter reported Monday the two sides agreed to a three-year, $90 million extension. All but $1 million of the payout is guaranteed.

This comes after Jaycee Horn got $100 million from the Carolina Panthers and resets the market with the New York Jets' Sauce Gardner two years out from free agency.

Today is a good day for not only Derek Stingley Jr… but also Sauce Gardner. A new bar has been set. https://t.co/CUTBzZDuJG

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2025

Stingley, 23, was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft out of LSU, and after battling through two injury-plagued seasons to start his career, he cemented himself as one of the top corners in the league in 2024.

Starting all 17 games for the first time in his NFL career, Stingley finished 2024 with a career-high 54 tackles and 18 passes defended, plus he matched his career high with five interceptions, earning him Pro Bowl and First Team All-Pro honors for the first time.

It was already apparent during the 2023 campaign that Stingley was trending toward superstardom, as he recorded five picks despite missing six games due to a hamstring injury.

Especially once Horn secured $25 million annually from the Panthers, it was a matter of time before Stingley got his own pay raise. He may not hold the title of highest-paid cornerback for too long, either, depending on how long the Jets wait to make a competitive offer to Gardner.

Re-signing Stingley now might ultimately save some money considering his rookie deal could've kept him under team control through 2026. His market rate only would've climbed in another year or two.

Stingley's past injuries present some risk for the Texans, but his talent has never been in doubt. With this new contract, he's poised to anchor the secondary for the foreseeable future.

As star wide receiver Stefon Diggs prepares to enter free agency, it sounds like he will have to take a pay cut if he hopes to stay with the Houston Texans.

After being acquired in a trade with the Buffalo Bills last offseason, Diggs was limited to eight games in 2024 after suffering a torn ACL. ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime reported that the 31-year-old still made $22.52 million from the Texans for his lost season.

However, Houston likely won't offer Diggs a major payday for him to return to the team, as a source told Bien-Aime that "it'll come down to finding a team-friendly number if they were to re-sign him. Something less than what he made in 2024."

Upon acquiring Diggs from the Bills, the Texans eliminated the final three years of his contract. Houston hoped that spending a year paired with rising star quarterback C.J. Stroud would convince the four-time Pro Bowler to continue their partnership beyond the 2024 campaign, but the injury potentially derailed those plans.

In his eight appearances this past season, Diggs notched 47 catches for 496 yards and three touchdowns while also adding a rushing touchdown. When healthy, he can be one of the most reliable receivers in the league.

If Diggs doesn't return to the Texans, it will be interesting to see the type of offers he gets from other teams in free agency coming off such a devastating injury.

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell took another step in his recovery process after suffering a significant knee injury in December.

ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime noted Dell posted on his Instagram Story that he underwent surgery to repair his torn ACL on Wednesday. It was his second surgery on the knee, as he underwent another one shortly after the setback to repair the other ligaments that were damaged.

He suffered multiple torn ligaments and a dislocated kneecap while catching a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs in the December loss.

Bien-Aime noted Dell is expected to miss much of the 2025 campaign as he recovers, although the door is still open for a return ahead of the stretch run.

The 2023 third-round pick has been in the league for just two years but already suffered a season-ending broken leg as a rookie and the season-ending knee injury in his second campaign. He was also shot at an event in April 2024 but was quickly released from the hospital with minor injuries in the aftermath.

When healthy, Dell has been productive with a combined 98 catches for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns in 25 career games.

He, Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs were expected to be one of the best wide receiver groups in the league last season, but injuries largely prevented that. In addition to Dell's setback, Diggs was limited to just eight games because of a torn ACL.

Houston still reached the AFC Divisional Round of the playoffs but lost to the Chiefs without two of their top weapons.

Diggs is now a free agent this offseason, which means it might only be Collins from that trio suiting up at the start of the 2025 season. The possibility that Diggs could sign elsewhere also places more emphasis on the importance of Dell recovering in time to return to the field ahead of the stretch run next season.

If he does, he and Collins can still be a dynamic one-two punch in the aerial attack.