It wouldn’t be a Houston Texans draft without a defensive back from USC landing in Nick Caserio’s lap.
In 2024, Pro Bowl safety Calen Bullock back off the board in the round. Last season. Jaylin Smith joined the crew as a late Day 2 pick.
Safety Kamari Ramsey to many was considered one of the draft’s top Day 2 safeties, so consider it a steal in the fifth-round for Houston.
At pick No. 141, the Texans landed Ramsey, who excelled over his final two years with the Trojans’ defense. The 6-foot, 202-pound defensive back ran a 4.47 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine and can play both as a nickel corner and safety.
A UCLA transfer, Ramsey joined the Trojans in 2024, where he broke out with 60 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, six pass breakups, two forced fumbles and an interception. Last season, his season was cut short due to a knee injury suffered against Iowa on Nov. 15. He finished the year with 27 total tackles and two pass deflections.
Here’s a quick rundown on Ramsey and what he brings to Houston:
The Basics
Height: 6-foot
Weight: 202 pounds
Age: 22
From: Palmdale, Calif.
Background
Kamari Ramsey is an exceptional read-and-react defensive back who consistently identifies route combinations, receiver tells, and triggers to the football. The versatility Ramsey showcases allows him to flow from a two-high alignment to a robber to the nickel, making him a defensive chess piece.
Lance Zierlein’s Scouting Report
“Versatile safety prospect with solid size. Ramsey saw a heavier workload at nickelback in 2025 after splitting time at all three safety spots in 2024. He plays with average eyes in space and good break anticipation when matched up in man. He was adequate covering the slot in college but might not have enough short-area burst and athleticism to do the same in the pros. He needs to close downhill in run support with greater urgency when playing from depth. His tackle-finishing saw a massive improvement in 2025, but with multiple games missed in consecutive seasons, Ramsey’s draft stock could take a hit due to durability concerns.” – NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein
RAS Score
RAS Score: 8.61 out of a possible 10.00
Grade: B+
“No one is asking Ramsey to start, but he could fight with Jaylen Reed as the first name off the bench. Durability will be a reason to worry about his ability to remain a competitor long-term, but the position flexibility makes Ramsey a solid addition to an already elite defense. It’s sad to say that if Marlin Klein and Ramsey switched spots, the grades would likely be much higher on the Texans overall.”- Cole Thompson
Year 1 Role
Ramsey is a do-it-all defensive back and should see reps inside the nickel and at strong safety. He needs to improve when it comes to attacking the run downhill, but he’s already a better tackler than Calen Bullock was when he entered the league. Ramsey won’t start, but there are worse options to have as a backup behind Reed Blankenship and Jalen Pitre.
Highlights
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Breakdown and analysis of new Texans rookie DB Kamari Ramsey
Reporting by Cole Thompson, Texans Wire / Texans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
