Give it time, but the Houston Texans’ selection of Minnesota offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery might prove to be one of the biggest steals of the 2025 NFL Draft.
A third-team Associated Press All-American and Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year, Ersery impressed on the blindside for the Golden Gophers. A three-year starter at left tackle, the Kansas City native only allowed just five sacks and 11 QB hits in over 1,400 pass-blocking snaps in Big Ten games.
Entering rookie minicamp on Friday, no one on the offensive line can say they’ll be a Day 1 starter. Ersery, who hopes to be the long-term replacement for five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil, might win a starting job, but he won’t gain it from the get-go. The Texans can be patient with the development of Ersery since he’s a second-round pick and not a Day 1 starter.
Then again, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that the Texans might have stayed put at No. 25 and selected the Golden Gophers. Some viewed him as a Thursday talent.
“People in Houston’s draft room will tell you Caserio doesn’t move up and down for splash but simply to try to maximize value,” Fowler wrote. “The Texans say they believe they did that with second-round offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery, whom some scouts thought might slide into the late first round. He has plenty of versatility.”
Trades are common for the Texans, even those on Day 1. According to multiple reports, Houtson tried to get aggressive and land an offensive lineman in the top 20 before eventually moving out of the first-round altogehter for an extra third-round pick from the New York Giants.
Houston made “aggressive attempts” to try and trade up for Alabama offensive lineman Tyler Booker and Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks, but the asking price was too high. The Texans did land a nice consolation prize in the form of Iowa State wideout Jayden Higgins, who could very well line up in the backfield at times in new offensive coordinator Nick Caley’s system.
But Ersery might be the steal of steals. Given his potential, Houston might have landed itself a Round 1 talent midway through Day 2.
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