Houston Texans 2026 NFL Draft Preview

All season long, the narrative surrounding the Houston Texans was that they had a generational defense but would be held back in the end by their putrid offense; the postseason proved that to be 100 percent true. 

The 2025 Texans yet again made it to the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs, but then fell flat on their face when the moment was brightest, losing in embarrassing fashion to the New England Patriots. 

So, as it pertains to the 2026 offseason, the targets have been offense, offense, and more offense (with a Reed Blankenship signing mixed in for good measure).

Texans Draft Picks:

Thankfully, the 2025 offseason trade for Laremy Tunsil netted the Texans high-end second-round and fourth-round selections from the Washington Commanders, meaning the Texans have six selections in the first four rounds.

• Round 1: Pick 28
• Round 2: Pick 38
• Round 2: Pick 59
• Round 3: Pick 69
• Round 4: Pick 106
• Round 5: Pick 141
• Round 5: Pick 167
• Round 7: Pick 243

General Manager Nick Caserio called any speculation about a C.J. Stroud trade “moronic”. He then proceeded to get ahead of the team’s problems and trade for Lions RB David Montgomery, as well as sign two offensive line pieces in Braden Smith and Wyatt Teller. 

Texans Positions of Need:

Now that the offense has been shaped up, and given their solid WR depth, including a true WR1 in Nico Collins and the hopeful resurgence of Tank Dell, the Texans can go with a best-player-available strategy to try and hit a few home runs. Still, though, offense should be the focal point.

• IOL
• OT
• DT
• TE

Key Draft Targets for Texans:     

Kadyn Proctor – OT – Alabama 

Even with the additions of Teller and Smith, the Texans could use more offensive line help. Kadyn Proctor is a monster of a man and has all the physical tools to be immensely successful in the NFL. That size makes him versatile, and the Texans could work him into proper shape, coax him as a lineman of the future, and utilize him in run blocking more immediately. There’s a solid chance he’s available at the end of the first round. 

Emmanuel Pregnon – OG – Oregon 

Emmanuel Pregnon is a four-year starter who played two years at USC and last season with the Ducks. He’s rated by many mock drafts as the second-best guard, and that’s the part of the offensive line the Texans need the most help with.

Eli Stowers – TE – Vanderbilt

Although the Texans re-signed Dalton Schultz, and have Brevin Jordan returning to the fray after missing all of last season with an injury, TE is a position they could improve in. Adding a bona fide stud like Stowers, who won the Mackey Award in 2025 and earned first-team All-SEC honors, seems like a worthy shot at a franchise player if he drops to later in the second round.