Our tour around the NFL has taken us to God’s Forsaken Division, the AFC South. Admit it, you always forget at least one team in this division when rattling off a list of teams. The Houston Texans are up first, because that’s how alphabetical order works. They jettisoned the only good player on their offensive line and replaced Stefon Diggs with two Iowa State receivers and Christian Kirk. Let’s break down which Texan is going too high, who’s criminally overlooked, and the sleeper you won’t want to snooze on in 2025.
Overdrafted:
Nick Chubb, Running Back (RB53, Pick 157 Overall)
I understand that RB53 isn’t a high pick, which is why I changed it from “bust” to “overdrafted.” There’s no real reason to take Nick Chubb other than you remember his name from his last full season (2022). He ran for 1,525 yards and rushed for 13 touchdowns. He was a fantasy football stud. Then, in 2023, his knee exploded. He returned for the 2024 season after recovering from his MCL and ACL injuries, but before breaking his foot, it was clear the spark was gone. He was 55th in yards per touch, 54th in juke rate, and 85th in missed tackles forced per attempt. He’s getting some publicity as an upside play because of Joe Mixon’s injury, and he might get the first crack at the job, but there’s nothing left there.
Underdrafted:
Christian Kirk, Wide Receiver (WR59, Pick 147 Overall)
Christian Kirk will play the slot receiver role in Houston, a role that has been highly fruitful lately. Last year, Stefon Diggs played that role, and while he isn’t “Stefon Diggs” any longer, he still flourished in PPR leagues before his season-ending knee injury. Diggs was on pace for 136 targets, 100 receptions, 1,054 yards, and 6.4 touchdowns. He ended the season as WR17 in fantasy points per game (minimum eight games played), all off the power of the role. He wasn’t particularly explosive or elusive, and he didn’t do much after the catch (3.96 YAC/Rec), but he had a 28.5% first-read target share. On a team with Nico Collins leading the way, that’s pretty impressive. To put it a different way: he was directly between Ladd McConkey and Brock Bowers.
That slot role will generate a ton of free PPR points for you, as long as Kirk can stay healthy. He’s missed 12 games in the last two seasons, but he turns only 29 this year, meaning he isn’t quite over the hill… yet. He’s a cheap way to get a part of this Texans’ offense.
Sleeper:
Woody Marks, Running Back (RB67, Pick 221 Overall)
The Joe Mixon injury opens the door for rookie Woody Marks to make his name in the NFL. H reminds me a ton of Devin Singletary, and he is a fun little power back who is faster than you would expect and has reliable hands that make it all work. Marks is an incredibly patient and decisive runner who wastes very little energy with the ball in his hands. He’s a willing blocker, and that will get him on the field sooner rather than later.
Unfortunately, he will turn 25 during the 2025 season, meaning that the day-three pick the Texans invested in him was likely his draft ceiling. That said, he is fun to watch, as he is very agile and reads blocks well. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have great long speed. He’s a versatile back who could make an immediate fantasy impact as a PPR scam god as a worst-case scenario for the Texans.
