The Houston Texans could be targeting a new pass catcher for quarterback C.J. Stroud with their first-round selection.
The Texans are projected to select Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III with the No. 25 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, per NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah. Burden was a promising prospect coming into the 2024-25 season and was seen as the best receiver in the class, but after his numbers dipped, he’s draft value did, too. He had 61 catches for 676 yards and six touchdowns in his final season for the Tigers. Burden had 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns the prior year. Burden could provide another weapon for Stroud, pairing as a wide receiver No. 3 to Nico Collins and Tank Dell. The move adds more insurance. No. 3 receiver Stefon Diggs’ future in Houston is uncertain since his one-year rental is up from the Buffalo Bills trade and Dell is recovering from another brutal season-ending injury.
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The Texans are in an offensive rebrand after a close loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round. Houston surprisingly fired offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik after two years, so the new coordinator will get a fresh asset to help get acclimated. Wide receiver is not the primary concern for Houston. The Texans’ offensive line wasn’t consistent and picking a first-round tackle or guard could be better in the long run.