The next phase of the offseason, aka OTAs, started on Wednesday, allowing us to put eyes on the 2025 squad for the first time. It's a time of hope and promise and many get excited about what the Texans can do in 2025. Here is a key player at each position that I'll have my eyes on throughout the rest of the offseason. There might be some guys you haven't heard about on my list, but trust me, they're going to be in the mix…and important pieces in this 2025 Texans season.
- Kedon Slovis - QB: Having joined the Texans after the preseason last year, Slovis really hasn't had much chance to truly show off his skills in competitive practice situations. Like Davis Mills and rookie Graham Mertz, I hope Slovis doesn't see the field, at all, in the regular season, hoping that C.J. Stroud stays healthy for 17+ games. Regardless, I'm excited to see Slovis' progress throughout the rest of the offseason; he has some definite quality throwing acumen.
- Jawhar Jordan - RB: With a couple of key RBs out of practice this week, Jordan has gotten a ton of reps and looks much more comfortable than he did as a rookie last year. The RB position is HIGHLY intriguing because all five backs can be productive in this offense, but I'm intrigued by Jordan's dual threat abilities in this offense.
- Luke Lachey - TE: Call it a hunch, but watching Lachey catch the ball in practice this week, there's definite value in the former Iowa star. He was a seventh round selection, sure, but that was a result of him missing time due to injury the past few years at Iowa. He has soft hands and excellent size and I'm telling you he's going to find a way to do positive things for this offense in 2025 and beyond.
- Jared Wayne - WR: Watching back the TV copy of the Chiefs divisional round playoff game, I was struck by how much the TV crew discussed how much the coaches liked Wayne. He's another big, 6-3+ body and will attack the football in the air effectively. Again, he has to stay healthy in training camp and stack days, but when you hear people talking about him the rest of this offseason, you'll know where you heard it first.
- Jaylon Thomas - OL: I went looking for an off-the-radar, don't-forget-about-me type of player on the OL and Thomas fits that bill perfectly. He's stout and strong, but it's all about staying healthy. Just. Stay. Healthy…and he could surprise as an interior OL contributor.
- Dylan Horton - DL: Two years ago in OTAs, his head was spinning as a rookie. Last year, he was finishing kicking cancer's butt. Now, finally, he's healthy, strong and showing why the Texans believed in him in the 2023 Draft. I was a big fan of Horton when he was drafted in 2023 but that season was curtailed due to his illness. He appears stronger and quicker, which will help him immensely at a position that is loaded with Pro Bowl veterans and stars.
- E.J. Speed - LB: When Speed signed with the Texans, I remember thinking that I was really happy, but not quite sure why he chose to sign here given the depth at the position. Then, I saw him up close on Wednesday, watched him move and run and I realized that his skills fit this defense well. Many fans let me know how disappointed they were with the Texans pass coverage in that loss to the Chiefs and Speed can contribute to the improvement in that area in 2025.
- Kamari Lassiter - CB: It took all of one OTA to be reminded how well Kamari fits this defense. He has such a spirit in his play and he's ALL SWARM, ALL THE TIME. He may be overshadowed nationally because of Derek Stingley Jr's All-Pro brilliance, but Texans fans know how important Kamari is to this defense. If his performance this week is any indication, he's in for a banner year in 2025.
- Jaylen Reed - S: The rookie from Penn State should never have been a sixth round pick and watching him closely this week, he looks like he belongs at this level, no question. It's a crowded back end, especially after trading for C.J Gardner-Johnson, but Reed provides depth and will be a killer special teams player out the chute. If he can stack good days on good days in OTAs, that should prepare him well for training camp, joint practices and three preseason games.
