Texans Reportedly Tried To Trade Up in NFL Draft for OL 'A Couple of Times'

The Houston Texans "tried a couple of times to trade up for an offensive lineman" in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft, according to ESPN's Dan Graziano.

Texans general manager Nick Caserio ultimately traded out of the first round by sending the No. 25 pick to the New York Giants, who used the slot to draft Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart.

That was one of seven trades Caserio completed before and during the draft. One of those trades was a deal with the Las Vegas Raiders for the No. 48 pick, which the Texans used to draft offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery out of Minnesota.

Ersery spent three seasons as left tackle at Minnesota. The Texans signed veteran tackles Cam Robinson and Trent Brown earlier this offseason, but were still looking to add more competition at the position after trading Laremy Tunsil to the Washington Commanders.

The Texans also signed Laken Tomlinson and Ed Ingram, and are bringing back Tytus Howard as well as two recent second-rounder picks in Blake Fisher and Juice Scruggs.

According to Graziano, "the hope is to create as much competition as possible along the line so that the best combination of five emerges and the atmosphere around the group is more conducive to success than last year."

The Texans fired former offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik after CJ Stroud took 52 sacks, the second-most of any quarterback, while seeing his production drop and interceptions rise during his second NFL season.

New offensive coordinator Nick Caley and offensive line coach Cole Popovich will be tasked with helping Stroud find success behind a more consistently protective O-line in 2025, even without Tunsil or the benefit of adding a first-round pick.