2026 NFL Draft Team Needs & Predictions: Texans

Pick 28: Houston Texans

Team Needs: OL, EDGE, LB, DT

2026 Free Agent Key Losses:

DT Tim Settle, LB Christian Harris, LB Damone Clark, RT Tytus Howard, IOL Juice Scruggs

2026 Free Agents:

• RB: Nick Chubb, Dare Ogunbowale, Joe Mixon,
• WR: Christian Kirk, Braxton Berrios
• TE: Harrison Bryant
• EDGE: Denico Autry, Derek Barnett
• DL: Foley Fatukasi, Kurt Hinish, Mario Edwards,
• CB: Myles Bryant, Ja’Marcus Ingram (ERFA)
• S: Jimmie Ward
• ST: Tommy Townsend

2027 Free Agents:

• QB: C.J. Stroud (CLUB), Davis Mills
• RB: British Brooks (RFA), Jawhar Jordan (ERFA)
• WR: Justin Watson, Tank Dell, Jared Wayne (ERFA), Xavier Hutchinson, Josh Kelly (ERFA)
• TE: Brevin Jordan, Luke Lachey (ERFA)
• OL: C Jake Andrews, G Jarrett Kingston (RFA), G Sidy Sow (RFA), C Jarrett Patterson, C Eli Cox (ERFA), RT Trenton Brown, OG Evan Brown
• EDGE: Will Anderson (CLUB), Dylan Horton, Xavier Thomas (RFA), Solomon Byrd (ERFA)
• DL: Tommy Togiai, Junior Tafuna (ERFA), Naquan Jones, Dominique Robinson
• LB: Azeez Al-Shaair, Jake Hansen, Henry To’oTo’o
• CB: Tremon Smith, Brandon Codrington (ERFA), Alijah Huzzie (ERFA), Ajani Carter (ERFA)
• S: Kaevon Merriweather, M.J. Stewart
• ST: Ka’imi Fairbairn

Similar to the Chargers...we all know what the Houston Texans need to do this offseason. Improve the offensive line. Ripping it down to the studs last year did not result in positive results, specifically from a run-blocking perspective.

However, the pass-blocking wasn’t too bad, depending on the source. Per PFF, Houston’s offensive line gave up 156 pressures, including 17 sacks, on 644 pass plays. As a result, the group posted an 86.6 PFF pass-blocking efficiency rating, which ranked fifth in the NFL this season.

However, the “effectiveness” of the Texans’ blocking is subject to debate based on the source. According to ESPN, the O-line was tied with the Lions’ for the NFL’s second-worst pass block win rate (55.5%).

GM Nick Caserio said at his opening NFL Combine Presser that “as it pertains to the offensive line, honestly, it’s probably one of the best years we’ve had since I’ve been here… Maybe I was watching different film.”

I’m in the camp that it wasn’t a great offensive line (especially in the postseason).

Caserio also mentioned being high on Jaylin Noel in Year 2 (don’t sell the stock quite yet!). Tank Dell will also return for the start of the offseason program. Dalton Schultz signed on for another season (FA in 2028).

But last year’s starting right side of the line is hitting free agency (Trent Brown only played 8 games). Brown signed a one-year deal to return to Houston. G Ed Ingram also re-signed on a 3-year deal.  The Texans also signed former Colts right tackle Braden Smith to a two-year deal to start.

Tackles and center look set. One more upgrade to the interior offensive line should help the run game in 2026.

They topped off the IOL by signing former Browns guard…Wyatt Teller, inking him to a 2-year deal worth $16 million. So the OL rebuild in Houston looks pretty complete.

• LT: Aireontae Ersery
• LG: Wyatt Teller
• C: Jake Andrews
• RG: Ed Ingram
• RT: Braden Smith / Trent Brown

Makes me think the betting market might be overvaluing Houston going offensive line with their first pick in the NFL Draft. That being said, nobody would bat an eye if Houston drafts another offensive line piece…especially an IOL player given center Jake Andrews will be a free agent in 2027.

RB needs to upgrade badly (specifically in creating explosive plays). The team cut Joe Mixon. Nick Chubb is a free agent. And Woody Marks? I’m not sold he is a feature back after the Texans took him in the fourth round of last season.

Marks was one of the least efficient RBs in football as a rookie. Bottom-10 in YPC (3.63), success rate, explosive runs, EPA per rush. Last among RBs in missed tackles forced per attempt. Worst RB in fantasy points vs expectation in 2025. And he was constantly leaving games with injury scares.

The second-year back looks like a placeholder back, not someone teams will hesitate to replace.

Houston traded for Lions RB David Montgomery before the start of free agency, sending multiple draft picks and center/IOL Juice Scruggs. OT Tytus Howard was also traded to the Cleveland Browns.

The Texans boasted one of, if not the best, defenses in the NFL in 2025. So it’s hard to fill too many non-existent holes. I’d say DT is an area they could use more juice. Sheldon Rankins was a free agent, but re-signed on a 2-year contract. Adding DT Logan Hall helps address that issue.

They suffered some injuries to their defensive interior in 2025 (Mario Edwards, Tim Settle) that made them vulnerable against the run as the season progressed.

EDGE/LB aren’t glaring 2026 needs, but they might be in 2027, given the current structure of the roster/contracts. LB E.J. Speed signed a 2-year extension. But after him…they might run into off-ball linebacker contract issues.

Thinking Houston to draft a linebacker with their 1^st pick is interesting here at longer than 10-1 odds.

A depth EDGE signing would also make some sense with some guys still free agents who were behind Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter on the depth chart last season.