With the draft less than a week away I figure it's time to turn the page from the 2024 thread.

Upcoming picks in the 2025 NFL Draft:
Round 1 (25)
Round 2 (58)
Round 3 (79 & 89)
Round 5 (166)
Round 7 (236 & 241)

Prospects who the Texans have met with either as a Top 30 Visit, Pro-Day, Combine, or Virtually (sorry if I missed any):

• Elijah Arroyo, Tight End, Miami (T30)
• Jaydon Blue, Running Back, Texas (LOC)
• Isaiah Bond, Wide Receiver, Texas (VIR)
• Tyler Booker, Offensive Guard, Alabama (COM)
• Dalevon Campbell, Wide Receiver, South Carolina (LOC)
• Josh Conerly Jr., Offensive Tackle, Oregon (T30)
• Quinn Ewers, Quarterback, Texas (PRO)
• Matthew Golden, Wide Receiver, Texas (LOC)
• Charles Grant, Offensive Tackle, William & Mary (T30)
• Kenneth Grant, Defensive Tackle, Michigan (T30)
• Omarion Hampton, Running Back, North Carolina (COM)
• Tre Harris, Wide Receiver, Ole Miss (T30)
• Jarquez Hunter, Running Back, Auburn (VIR)
• Donovan Jackson, Offensive Guard, Ohio State (T30)
• Kaleb Johnson, Running Back, Iowa (T30)
• Quinshon Judkins, Running Back, Ohio State (T30)
• Kyle Kennard, Defensive End, South Carolina (VIR)
• Chase Lundt, Offensive Tackle, Connecticut (T30)
• Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, Inside Linebacker, USC (T30)
• B.J. Mayes, Cornerback, Texas A&M (PRO)
• Andrew Mukuba, Safety, Texas (COM)
• CJ Ogbonna, Quarterback, Buffalo (PRO)
• Oluwafemi Oladejo, Outside Linebacker, UCLA (T30)
• Shavon Revel, Cornerback, East Carolina (T30)
• T.J. Sanders, Defensive Tackle, South Carolina (T30)
• Nic Scourton, Defensive End, Texas A&M (LOC)
• Brashard Smith, Running Back, SMU (LOC)
• Shemar Stewart, Defensive End, Texas A&M (LOC)
• Allen Walker, Inside Linebacker, Jackson State (T30)
• Kyle Williams, Wide Receiver, Washington State (T30)
• Grey Zabel, Offensive Tackle, North Dakota State (T30)

In

Let's go!

Max Power said:

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With the draft less than a week away I figure it's time to turn the page from the 2024 thread.

Upcoming picks in the 2025 NFL Draft:
Round 1 (25)
Round 2 (58)
Round 3 (79 & 89)
Round 5 (166)
Round 7 (236 & 241)

Prospects who the Texans have met with either as a Top 30 Visit, Pro-Day, Combine, or Virtually (sorry if I missed any):

• Elijah Arroyo, Tight End, Miami (T30)
• Jaydon Blue, Running Back, Texas (LOC)
• Isaiah Bond, Wide Receiver, Texas (VIR)
• Tyler Booker, Offensive Guard, Alabama (COM)
• Dalevon Campbell, Wide Receiver, South Carolina (LOC)
• Josh Conerly Jr., Offensive Tackle, Oregon (T30)
• Quinn Ewers, Quarterback, Texas (PRO)
• Matthew Golden, Wide Receiver, Texas (LOC)
• Charles Grant, Offensive Tackle, William & Mary (T30)
• Kenneth Grant, Defensive Tackle, Michigan (T30)
• Omarion Hampton, Running Back, North Carolina (COM)
• Tre Harris, Wide Receiver, Ole Miss (T30)
• Jarquez Hunter, Running Back, Auburn (VIR)
• Donovan Jackson, Offensive Guard, Ohio State (T30)
• Kaleb Johnson, Running Back, Iowa (T30)
• Quinshon Judkins, Running Back, Ohio State (T30)
• Kyle Kennard, Defensive End, South Carolina (VIR)
• Chase Lundt, Offensive Tackle, Connecticut (T30)
• Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, Inside Linebacker, USC (T30)
• B.J. Mayes, Cornerback, Texas A&M (PRO)
• Andrew Mukuba, Safety, Texas (COM)
• CJ Ogbonna, Quarterback, Buffalo (PRO)
• Oluwafemi Oladejo, Outside Linebacker, UCLA (T30)
• Shavon Revel, Cornerback, East Carolina (T30)
• T.J. Sanders, Defensive Tackle, South Carolina (T30)
• Nic Scourton, Defensive End, Texas A&M (LOC)
• Brashard Smith, Running Back, SMU (LOC)
• Shemar Stewart, Defensive End, Texas A&M (LOC)
• Allen Walker, Inside Linebacker, Jackson State (T30)
• Kyle Williams, Wide Receiver, Washington State (T30)
• Grey Zabel, Offensive Tackle, North Dakota State (T30)

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Nice! Let's ****ing Go!

Still hoping for Oline 1st, WR 2nd round, DT & RB in the 3rd unless someone too good to pass up drops.


Also, something else to show the players are getting ready to go....guess who Will Anderson is working out with.

DAWG: #Texans 2nd-year pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. has been training with #NFL superstar Myles Garrett.

👿👿👿

Anderson is still only 23 years old and was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year & Pro Bowler.
pic.twitter.com/pVpAO63OMi

— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) April 17, 2025

Not seeing slowik in the title of this thread makes me happy.

OK, to get the talk tracks moving, I went through the latest mocks I could find, and here's what I got for the Texans:

Lance Zierlein - NFL network (mock draft 3.0) 1 round
1. Donovan Jackson - OG Ohio State

Daniel Jeremiah - NFL network (mock draft 3.0) 1 round
1. Kelvin Banks - OT horns

Eric Edholm - NFL network (mock draft 3.0) 1 round
1. Kelvin Banks - OT horns

Field Yates - ESPN 2 round
1. Donovan Jackson - G Ohio State
2. Kyle Williams - WR Washington State (I really like him)

Kiper Jr - ESPN 2 round
1. Josh Conerly Jr - OT Oregon
2. Jaylin Noel - WR Iowa State

Jordan Reid Mock - ESPN 7 round
1. Booker - OG - Bama
2. Tre Harris - WR Ole Miss
3a. Anthony Belton - OT - NC STate
3b. Devin Neal - RB Kansas (would be really upset as Jack Bech went with the next pick to the Rams, so not going further on his 7 round mock)

Todd McShay - forget where he is now (mock draft 3.0) 1 round
1. Grey Zabel - OG NDS

I'd love to see the Texans use 1st rounder to trade back to early 2nd round and use some of that extra draft capital to move up from either 58 or 79 to early 2nd round and pick again. I think there is going to be a lot of quality OL options in the early 2nd round and I wouldn't hate picking two of them. And if only one makes sense, then use the second early 2nd rounder on a WR or DT that drops. I definitely do not want to see the Texans trade up in the 1st to pick an OL.

Agstro said:

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I'd love to see the Texans use 1st rounder to trade back to early 2nd round and use some of that extra draft capital to move up from either 58 or 79 to early 2nd round and pick again. I think there is going to be a lot of quality OL options in the early 2nd round and I wouldn't hate picking two of them. And if only one makes sense, then use the second early 2nd rounder on a WR or DT that drops. I definitely do not want to see the Texans trade up in the 1st to pick an OL.

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Depends on the positional runs, this is a tough draft to predict since there are only 2 elite players. From listening to most of the draft pod casts I would say we're probably staying with our 1st rounder and taking an olineman. If a run happens early on oline I could see us trading back into the 2nd so someone can grab a position that we don't need before a run happens on it.

I imagine the draft will shake out with us taking 2 OL, 1 WR, and 1 DT with our first 4 picks unless someone we can't pass on drops to us (like one of the Ohio State RBs in the 3rd).

I think there are several OL who would be good additions, and likely a few of them still available in the early 2nd. That's why I'd like to see us get two picks in that range rather than sticking at 25 and 58. I'd be just as happy with the OL that we can get in mid-30s as at 25, and but much prefer a second player in the 30s or low 40s than 58.

Agstro said:

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I think there are several OL who would be good additions, and likely a few of them still available in the early 2nd. That's why I'd like to see us get two picks in that range rather than sticking at 25 and 58. I'd be just as happy with the OL that we can get in mid-30s as at 25, and but much prefer a second player in the 30s or low 40s than 58.

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The other issue with that is you need someone to want to trade up. Listening to the podcasts and it doesn't sound like there are a lot of teams looking to move up in the draft.

On other news of note, Daniel Jeremiah said recently that the top two targets for the Texans are Tyler Booker and Kelvin Banks and that if either of them are available he doesn't see them passing on taking one. So if we do trade down, it's probably going to only be that scenario where our top targets are gone and there is a position that hasn't started or is just finishing a run that we don't need.

I've seen Banks falling in numerous mock drafts, perhaps the scouts watched the footage of the Georgia game where he had a real issue stopping future NFL DE's, but it's possible he falls down the boards. Josh Simmons is the most intriguing to me, if his knee is fully healthy he's in the argument for the best OT in the draft. Donovan Jackson did well when he kicked out to OT from OG in his absence. I'm not against Connerly either if he's the best on the board. Campbell and Membou are going top 10 most likely but keep an eye on Banks, if he's still on the board after Miami drafts then he could fall all the way to 25. I've really been warming to the idea of Donovan Jackson, he could be a sneaky good pick. Connerly has given up 2 sacks in the last 2 years. Simmons has given up 1, but missed a lot of last year. Banks has given up 2. Zabel has given up 3. Jackson has given up 3.

The worst part about all of this is if there's a position that Caserio sucks at drafting, it's offensive line. He needs to nail this pick.

Regarding the possibility of moving back, a number of the pundits think the Rams are going to take a QB in the first to take over after Stafford whether it's a guy like Dart, Sanders, or even Milroe. I don't get the Milroe love, he's a hell of an athlete but he's wildly inaccurate and inconsistent. For some reason though he got a draft invite. We draft right in front of the Rams so if there's another team that wants to move in front of the Rams they will pick up the phone. I will say that our need at OT is big enough to not move unless it's a significant offer.

In honor of the draft this week I continued my ritual of watching Draft Day on Netflix last night.

Ag_07 said:

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In honor of the draft this week I continued my ritual of watching Draft Day on Netflix last night.

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That movie and moneyball are my two favorites. But Im also the guy that bought video games to merely create and manage a franchise and never much cared for the gameplay itself.

funny you should mention this. My 7 year old was playing on his amazon tablet the other night and noticed he was playing a soccer game. I proceeded to realize his was on some type of GM/Ownership mode. Next you thing you know I took it from him and began building a legit organization.

https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/nick-caley-will-allow-c-j-stroud-to-take-ownership-of-the-offense-as-requested

I think this just reinforces that Slowik was pretty set in his ways and not working together with Stroud or Ryans. Looks like Caley will be more collaborative, which is a good sign.

Max Power said:

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https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/nick-caley-will-allow-c-j-stroud-to-take-ownership-of-the-offense-as-requested

I think this just reinforces that Slowik was pretty set in his ways and not working together with Stroud or Ryans. Looks like Caley will be more collaborative, which is a good sign.

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Very good sign! But does this mean that Stroud was never allowed to audible if he saw a defense doing something? Talk about just killing the growth of a QB.

IrishAg said:

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Max Power said:

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https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/nick-caley-will-allow-c-j-stroud-to-take-ownership-of-the-offense-as-requested

I think this just reinforces that Slowik was pretty set in his ways and not working together with Stroud or Ryans. Looks like Caley will be more collaborative, which is a good sign.

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Very good sign! But does this mean that Stroud was never allowed to audible if he saw a defense doing something? Talk about just killing the growth of a QB.

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I think it's largely due to Slowik's inexperience. Slowik basically has worked for Shanahan his entire career, no one else until DeMeco. I think we did we he knew and felt comfortable, which was fine the first year when there wasn't anything on tape. Year two other teams figured it out and he couldn't adjust. That's the risk hiring the up and comers, you don't know if they can continue to evolve.

This is my concern for Caley, but I do think he has a more diverse background (Belicik, McVay, etc.) so hopefully he comes in with a more flexible approach.

Trade your 1 and 2 to the Cowboys and take Banks

Love all these stories about the Texans' "sniffing around" trading up.

One thing Nick has proven the past few years is that while a trade up is not off the table, nobody has a clue what he actually will do.

I'd much rather trade down as well.

Ok, it's prediction time for the Texans:

1. I know there is a lot of speculation that Nick is trying to trade up. My guess is that he isn't trying to trade up high in the draft, but is instead looking to see how much it would cost to move up five to ten spots if a particular player they covet is still there. Kelvin Banks is the speculation, and that makes a lot of sense because he could play left guard right away and slide over next year when Cam Robinson leaves.

2. I would trade up a little for an offensive tackle if there is one they really want. Not for a guard, though. There should be several good guards at 25. Booker sounds like a ideal SWARM guy, but I like Jackson from Ohio State more as an athlete. Both could be available at 25, and it would be a surprise if at least one of them isn't.

3. I like Josh Conerly at 25, as well. Might need a year to develop, but left tackle of the future and he might be able to help inside this year. Zabel would be good...I like his versatility. Seems as if the gurus expect him to be gone, though, and it doesn't seem like Caserio ever takes small school players early.

4. Although we clearly need a receiver, I don't want to target a receiver in round one. If Golden is there at 25, and there aren't any OL we love, I'm ok with it, but OL is so much more of a priority than WR.

5. If they trade up, I wouldn't mind the Penn State TE. Does it all, and would help as a blocker, too.

6. My hope is that they stay at 25 and take an elite guard, then move up into the second to take a WR like Egbuka or Kyle Williams.

7. Would love to target a running back in the mid rounds. Sampson from UT or Tuten from VTech. Maybe even Skattebo...I don't know if his game translates to the pros, but he is a baller.

8. Wouldn't mind drafting a big DT on Day 3 to develop.

Max Power said:

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I've seen Banks falling in numerous mock drafts, perhaps the scouts watched the footage of the Georgia game where he had a real issue stopping future NFL DE's, but it's possible he falls down the boards. Josh Simmons is the most intriguing to me, if his knee is fully healthy he's in the argument for the best OT in the draft. Donovan Jackson did well when he kicked out to OT from OG in his absence. I'm not against Connerly either if he's the best on the board. Campbell and Membou are going top 10 most likely but keep an eye on Banks, if he's still on the board after Miami drafts then he could fall all the way to 25. I've really been warming to the idea of Donovan Jackson, he could be a sneaky good pick. Connerly has given up 2 sacks in the last 2 years. Simmons has given up 1, but missed a lot of last year. Banks has given up 2. Zabel has given up 3. Jackson has given up 3.

The worst part about all of this is if there's a position that Caserio sucks at drafting, it's offensive line. He needs to nail this pick.

Regarding the possibility of moving back, a number of the pundits think the Rams are going to take a QB in the first to take over after Stafford whether it's a guy like Dart, Sanders, or even Milroe. I don't get the Milroe love, he's a hell of an athlete but he's wildly inaccurate and inconsistent. For some reason though he got a draft invite. We draft right in front of the Rams so if there's another team that wants to move in front of the Rams they will pick up the phone. I will say that our need at OT is big enough to not move unless it's a significant offer.

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ESPN's Yates has Banks going to the Raiders at 6th, and Kiper moved him to 13th on his final big board.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2025/insider/story/_/id/44803099/2025-nfl-mock-draft-final-intel-predictions-yates-kiper-round-1
($)

Zierlein also has him going 6th to the Raiders.

https://www.nfl.com/news/lance-zierlein-2025-nfl-mock-draft-4-0-colts-trade-up-for-colston-loveland-saints-go-get-jaxson-dart

So probably no worries on that front.

Some of their interior lineman are busts though a la Kouandjio, Dickerson, Warmack.

I'd go with best player available that adds to your culture. QB and DE are the only ones that'd make me scratch my head.

Faustus said:

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Max Power said:

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I've seen Banks falling in numerous mock drafts, perhaps the scouts watched the footage of the Georgia game where he had a real issue stopping future NFL DE's, but it's possible he falls down the boards. Josh Simmons is the most intriguing to me, if his knee is fully healthy he's in the argument for the best OT in the draft. Donovan Jackson did well when he kicked out to OT from OG in his absence. I'm not against Connerly either if he's the best on the board. Campbell and Membou are going top 10 most likely but keep an eye on Banks, if he's still on the board after Miami drafts then he could fall all the way to 25. I've really been warming to the idea of Donovan Jackson, he could be a sneaky good pick. Connerly has given up 2 sacks in the last 2 years. Simmons has given up 1, but missed a lot of last year. Banks has given up 2. Zabel has given up 3. Jackson has given up 3.

The worst part about all of this is if there's a position that Caserio sucks at drafting, it's offensive line. He needs to nail this pick.

Regarding the possibility of moving back, a number of the pundits think the Rams are going to take a QB in the first to take over after Stafford whether it's a guy like Dart, Sanders, or even Milroe. I don't get the Milroe love, he's a hell of an athlete but he's wildly inaccurate and inconsistent. For some reason though he got a draft invite. We draft right in front of the Rams so if there's another team that wants to move in front of the Rams they will pick up the phone. I will say that our need at OT is big enough to not move unless it's a significant offer.

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ESPN's Yates has Banks going to the Raiders at 6th, and Kiper moved him to 13th on his final big board.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2025/insider/story/_/id/44803099/2025-nfl-mock-draft-final-intel-predictions-yates-kiper-round-1
($)

Zierlein also has him going 6th to the Raiders.

https://www.nfl.com/news/lance-zierlein-2025-nfl-mock-draft-4-0-colts-trade-up-for-colston-loveland-saints-go-get-jaxson-dart

So probably no worries on that front.

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That's a good sign at how crazy this draft is, we have people being mocked with a 19 to 20 spot difference from mock to mock (both different people and different versions). I don't think I've seen a draft where after the first 3 picks it's just a free for all on the rest of spots for the rest of the 1st round

Although best left field talk I've heard so far is that the oline talk is all a smokescreen to drive people in front of us to pick them, and that we're targeting a potential trade up if Colston Loveland drops far enough. If not we would be going after one of the DTs that drop (like a Nolan)

Faustus said:

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Max Power said:

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I've seen Banks falling in numerous mock drafts, perhaps the scouts watched the footage of the Georgia game where he had a real issue stopping future NFL DE's, but it's possible he falls down the boards. Josh Simmons is the most intriguing to me, if his knee is fully healthy he's in the argument for the best OT in the draft. Donovan Jackson did well when he kicked out to OT from OG in his absence. I'm not against Connerly either if he's the best on the board. Campbell and Membou are going top 10 most likely but keep an eye on Banks, if he's still on the board after Miami drafts then he could fall all the way to 25. I've really been warming to the idea of Donovan Jackson, he could be a sneaky good pick. Connerly has given up 2 sacks in the last 2 years. Simmons has given up 1, but missed a lot of last year. Banks has given up 2. Zabel has given up 3. Jackson has given up 3.

The worst part about all of this is if there's a position that Caserio sucks at drafting, it's offensive line. He needs to nail this pick.

Regarding the possibility of moving back, a number of the pundits think the Rams are going to take a QB in the first to take over after Stafford whether it's a guy like Dart, Sanders, or even Milroe. I don't get the Milroe love, he's a hell of an athlete but he's wildly inaccurate and inconsistent. For some reason though he got a draft invite. We draft right in front of the Rams so if there's another team that wants to move in front of the Rams they will pick up the phone. I will say that our need at OT is big enough to not move unless it's a significant offer.

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ESPN's Yates has Banks going to the Raiders at 6th, and Kiper moved him to 13th on his final big board.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2025/insider/story/_/id/44803099/2025-nfl-mock-draft-final-intel-predictions-yates-kiper-round-1
($)

Zierlein also has him going 6th to the Raiders.

https://www.nfl.com/news/lance-zierlein-2025-nfl-mock-draft-4-0-colts-trade-up-for-colston-loveland-saints-go-get-jaxson-dart

So probably no worries on that front.

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McShay also has the Raiders now taking Banks at 6. He has Houston taking Matthew Golden even though Simmons is on the board. I just think the talent drop from the first to second round will be too much at OT. I'd rather have Simmons or Connerly at 25 than whoever is there in the second round. I feel a lot better about the WR's in the second round than I do the OT's.

Regardless of what happens I just love the chaos around the draft and how much no one seems to know of anything. And ever since Houston got rid of their PR person years ago not much info has gotten out of the building so I'm hesitant to believe who anyone says we're really in love with because Caserio keeps it close to the chest.

FWIW here's a summary of the players at our biggest areas of need from above that we've met with at some point in the process. These could get interesting in the event Caserio is trying to keep anyone off the scent of a player he's interested in. I included the guys in the same talent level who are conspicuously missing IMO.

OL:
Tyler Booker
Josh Conerly Jr
Charles Grant
Donovan Jackson
Chase Lundt
Grey Zabel
(No Kelvin Banks Jr or Josh Simmons)

WR:
Isaiah Bond
Matthew Golden
Tre Harris
Kyle Williams
(No Emeka Egbuka, Luther Burden, Jaylin Noel, Jayden Higgins, Jack Bech)

DL:
Kenneth Grant
Kyle Kennard
TJ Sanders
Nic Scourton
Shemar Stewart
(No Walter Nolan, Derrick Harmon, Tyleik Williams, Darius Alexander, Alfred Collins, Deon Walker, Joshua Farmer)

RB:
Jaydon Blue
Omarion Hampton
Jarquez Hunter
Kaleb Johnson
Quinshon Judkins
Brashard Smith

I appreciate the analysis and I agree with you (and Irish) this draft is crazy and a lot of fun.

Snake Jazz said:

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TyHolden said:

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Trade your 1 and 2 to the Cowboys and take Banks

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No.

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Micah Parsons for Jalen Green?

TyHolden said:

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Snake Jazz said:

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TyHolden said:

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Trade your 1 and 2 to the Cowboys and take Banks

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No.

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Micah Parsons for Jalen Green?

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That's a Daryl Morey trade.

The Browns and the Texans have made a trade. Cleveland acquired a 2025 fifth-round pick (No. 166) and a 2027 fifth-round pick from Houston in exchange for No. 179 and No. 216 in the sixth round and No. 255 in the seventh round of the 2025 draft.


Win now philosophy, I like it. Do we have compromising pictures of someone high up in Cleveland? Why do they keep letting us do this to them?

TRADE ALERT!

Texans Trade:

• 2025 5th Rd
• 2027 5th Rd

Browns Trade:

• 2025 6th Rd
• 2025 6th Rd
• 2025 7th Rd

So basically we exchanged our 5th round pick for 3 in Rounds 6-7.

Texan_Aggie said:

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TRADE ALERT!

Texans Trade:

• 2025 5th Rd
• 2027 5th Rd

Browns Trade:

• 2025 6th Rd
• 2025 6th Rd
• 2025 7th Rd

So basically we exchanged our 5th round pick for 3 in Rounds 6-7.

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Ammo for moving around