The Houston Texans are poised to make a splash in the 2025 NFL Draft by selecting a bruising running back who’s been compared to Marshawn Lynch, according to a recent mock draft by PFSN.
The third-round selection could provide a dynamic complement to veteran Joe Mixon in the Texans’ backfield.
Adding to Houston’s Running Back Room
In his seven-round mock draft, PFSN’s Ben Rolfe has the Texans taking Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo in the third round with the 89th overall pick:
“The Houston Texans are in a good spot with Joe Mixon, but the veteran back needs someone to take some of the load from his shoulders if he is to remain healthy through the season and into the playoffs. Cam Skattebo could be the perfect foil for Mixon.
Skattebo brings plenty of power to the equation, but he is also more than competent out of the backfield as a pass catcher. He could start his career as a third-down power back but is far from a one-trick pony and could be the heir apparent to Mixon.”
A Much-Needed Boost to the Offense
Houston’s offense was 28th in PFSN’s 2024 Offensive Rankings because of the offensive line’s poor play and their average run game. Sterling Xie explains:
“Protecting C.J. Stroud was a weakness all year, as Houston ranked 25th in both non-blitz pressure rate and sack rate allowed in the regular season… The beating Stroud took at Arrowhead Stadium served as a final painful reminder for Houston’s top offseason priority: Fix the run game and offensive line to avoid wasting a young franchise quarterback’s potential.”
With Skattebo and Mixon delivering a 1-2 punch of yards after contact, opposing defenses will be forced to stack the box, which could open up play-action potential.
Skattebo emerged as one of college football’s most versatile and productive backs in 2024. He rushed for over 1,500 yards and 19 touchdowns while adding 500+ receiving yards and three more scores through the air for the Sun Devils.
Skattebo’s arrival in the national spotlight came in his epic performance against the Texas Longhorns in the Peach Bowl, a game Arizona State should’ve won. In that legendary barnburner, Skattebo ran for 143 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries, caught eight balls for 99 yards, and even threw a 42-yard touchdown.
The Texans’ interest in Skattebo stems from their desire to manage Mixon’s workload and keep him fresh for a potential playoff run.
While Mixon had a strong 2024 season with over 1,000 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, adding a talented young back could help preserve his effectiveness.
Skattebo’s Scouting Report
Skattebo’s scouting report highlights his bruising running style and surprising agility:
- Runs with tremendous forward lean and natural leverage, consistently falling forward through contact
- Elite contact balance, often breaking multiple tackles on a single run
- A patient runner who sets up blocks effectively
- More skilled as a receiver than his background suggests – natural hands catcher
- Exceptional vision to spot cutback lanes and anticipate blocks developing
Hall of Fame wide receiver Terrell Owens likened Skattebo to Marshawn Lynch, calling him “the white version of BEASTMODE” due to his punishing style of running.
Another scouting report described Skattebo as “a bigger and more physical Kyren Williams.”
As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, keep an eye on Cam Skattebo when the Texans are on the clock. His addition could give Houston’s offense another dynamic weapon as they look to take the next step toward Super Bowl contention.
