Houston Texans mark one of their smaller draft needs off of their list just a month before the 2025 NFL Draft
As the 2025 NFL Draft is just a month away, the Houston Texans are slowly but surely marking some things off of their list of needs through what's left of free agency. One of those needs was another linebacker. Now, preferably someone who can challenge for a starting spot next to Azeez Al-Shaair would be the […]
As the 2025 NFL Draft is just a month away, the Houston Texans are slowly but surely marking some things off of their list of needs through what's left of free agency. One of those needs was another linebacker.
Now, preferably someone who can challenge for a starting spot next to Azeez Al-Shaair would be the ideal find. But, there isn't really anything left like that in free agency. The best they can do is a guy who has started, and a guy who can be put on a prove-it deal. And when his time comes, prove that he can play big-time snaps and minutes.
And, they basically did that on Saturday.
Houston Texans sign former division rival LB E.J. Speed
According to Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports, the Texans spent most of their Saturday morning finishing up a deal between them and E.J. Speed, a familiar face due to being a division rival.
Drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Speed started on special teams, making big plays like blocking punts and making tackles on returns. In his final season with the Colts in 2024, he had 103 solo tackles and an interception in 15 starts.
Speed finished 2024 with a pretty bad grade on the year, according to Pro Football Focus. His 56.7 overall PFF grade is 156th out of 189 total graded linebackers.
In his coverage, he struggled last year. In 483 coverage snaps, Speed was targeted 27 times, and he allowed 20 completions for 182 total receiving yards, with 152 intended air yards. He wasn't very good in that aspect, but he's a great run defender.
The Texans see something in him, and my guess is that he will compete for the starting WILL linebacker spot with Henry To'o To'o. Right now, it's likely going to be To'o To'o's spot, but who knows what will happen between now and the 2025 NFL Draft.
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