Heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, the mission was to get consistent help to support quarterback C.J. Stroud after his sophomore slump. After trading away Pro Bowl OT Laremy Tunsil and seeing Stefon Diggs leave and Tank Dell's injury, the Texans were expected to heavily invest in the WR and offensive line rooms. The Texans did just that with their first three selections and then started filling in areas of the roster that weren't necessarily a concern.
They added depth at running back, tight end, and quarterback as well, but none of those selections is likely to make a meaningful impact on the team this year. The Texans seemed to miss the mark on their selection on the defensive side of the ball. They spent one of their last picks on a rotational defensive tackle, but their strangest decisions may have been adding two defensive backs to a seemingly loaded unit.
The Texans also traded for safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Their defense was their strongest unit, and their defensive backfield seemed settled with Derek Stingley and Kamari Lassiter at corner, Gardner-Johnson and Bullock at safety, and Jalen Pitre at nickel. It's one thing to build depth, and there is the sentiment that building on strength is one of the best ways to build a roster, but adding in the defensive backfield seemed odd at the time. However, one of those defensive backs is making a case for increased time.
Defensive Back Jaylin Smith Making a Case for Playing Time
Considering the depth mentioned above, breaking into the starting rotation may be a bit of a stretch for the rookie defensive back out of USC. However, Jaylin Smith has taken snaps at corner, safety, and nickel during drills and is making plays against two of the Texans' top receivers, Nico Collins and fellow rookie Jayden Higgins.
The positional flexibility that Smith is showing, with his abilities and performance in camp shining, is making this seemingly regrettable use of draft capital seem like an inspired selection. As mentioned by Texans writer Cole Thompson, Smith is looking like a winner through the first two weeks of training camp.
The Texans drafted Smith's defensive backfield partner Caleb Bullock the year before, so it seems likely they have seen multiple years of tape on Smith. The long-term plan may be for Smith and Bullock to be the starting safety tandem. For now, though, the Texans should be looking for ways to get Smith reps against their own first team offense and their opponents during the preseason.
There's no path for Smith to get regular playing time unless there is significant regression in any of the top five defensive backs or an injury. It is good to see that a potential mistake in the draft may turn out to be a bright spot for the Texans. If Smith continues to perform during the rest of training camp and pre-season, the Texans may have the luxury of lining up multiple defensive backfield units throughout the season.