Keagan Smith previews and breaks down what you need to know about the Houston Texans heading into the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Houston Texans are a conundrum.
The franchise comes off its third consecutive season with double-digit wins, earning a playoff berth and advancing to the Divisional Round in each of those three seasons. A fearsome defense has been the key to success as of late, but the offense is yet to return to the form it showed during head coach DeMeco Ryans’ first season at the helm back in 2023. Whether due to the regression of young quarterback C.J. Stroud or the surrounding talent, it’s clear that the Texans need more to finally get over the hill as a contender in the AFC.
Team GM Nick Caserio has shown an ability to hit draft picks out of the park in the past. Could the 2026 NFL Draft be the one in which Houston adds the firepower it needs to truly compete for a Super Bowl?
Here are the details you need to know about the Texans’ draft capital before draft day, plus a prediction and pick for the first round.
There’s no doubt that the Texans are far more needy on the offensive side of the ball than on defense. There’s talent all over this D, with Will Anderson Jr. just securing a massive extension to make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history after a double-digit sack season alongside Danielle Hunter on the other edge. Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter are top-tier cornerbacks, joined by safeties Calen Bullock, Reed Blankenship, and jack-of-all-trades DB Jalen Pitre. In the middle of the defense, Azeez Al-Shaair remains a standout playmaker.
The offense has talent, but things are more up in the air on that end. Stroud’s play should draw questions, but he won’t be going anywhere this (or likely next) season. Nico Collins is a true stud wideout with young talents Jayden Higgins and Jalin Noel bringing upside for growth behind him, though both are relatively unproven. David Montgomery joined Woody Marks in the backfield via trade, but neither are true high-end backs. Dalton Schultz is a slightly above-average tight end. The offensive line is still something of a mess, though the addition of Wyatt Teller does provide some stability.
Are the Texans in position to make a true BPA selection and take whichever top talent on their draft board is available in the first round? To an extent, the answer to the question feels like a yes. This roster is clearly still a contender and has a Super-Bowl-caliber defense that kept it in games even despite a shaky offense last season.
Still, the offensive line seemingly brings uncertainty to this unit year after year. Houston’s lack of run game has held the franchise back significantly throughout this three-season era — the acquisition of Montgomery attempts to address that, but success still starts in the trenches. The pass blocking of the Texans was better than anticipated last season but still average; the run blocking was simply abysmal as per the course. Caserio and the war room may go BPA, but an offensive lineman still makes too much sense if they’re a little more concerned with need. DraftKings Sportsbook also lists the position as a -160 favorite to be the team’s pick
If not a trench player, Houston could very well trade out of the first round entirely. This front office has shown a willingness to wheel and deal on draft day, so it seems the Texans may actually be more likely to move back a few spots and secure an extra pick or two than to actually take a player in round one.
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