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HOU
Houston Texans
Draft Needs
| Priority | Position | Level | Target Round | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | OG | CRITICAL | Round 1 | Interior OL remains glaring hole; Ed Ingram re-signed but need a starting guard opposite him to protect C.J. Stroud |
| 2 | C | HIGH | Round 2 | Center is an ongoing upgrade target; FA market thinned out, making the draft the primary path to a starter-quality pivot |
| 3 | DT | HIGH | Round 2 | Tim Settle Jr. departed to WAS; Sheldon Rankins aging at 32; need young interior DT on rookie contract |
| 4 | LB | HIGH | Round 3 | Christian Harris signed with ATL; Henry To'otoo and Al-Shaair remain but depth and a potential starter needed |
| 5 | RB | MEDIUM | Round 2 | Mixon cut, Montgomery acquired but is a complementary back; need a true between-the-tackles running mate long term |
| 6 | CB | MEDIUM | Round 3 | Blankenship addresses safety but CB depth behind starters is thin; need developmental corner |
Draft Strategy
Balanced Approach
This team takes a balanced approach, weighing both player value and team needs. They will take the best player available when the value is clear, but will also factor in positional need when players are similarly rated.
Team Info
Houston
City
Texans
Nickname
AFC
Conference
South
Division
2026 Draft Picks
8
Total Picks
1
Round 1
4
Top 3 Rounds
0
Compensatory
| Round | Pick | Overall | Type | Original Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rd 1 | 28 | #28 | OWN | - |
| Rd 2 | 38 | #38 | TRADE | WAS |
| Rd 2 | 59 | #59 | OWN | - |
| Rd 3 | 69 | #69 | TRADE | NYG |
| Rd 4 | 106 | #106 | TRADE | WAS |
| Rd 5 | 141 | #141 | TRADE | LV |
| Rd 5 | 167 | #167 | OWN | - |
| Rd 7 | 243 | #243 | TRADE | SF |
Needs Summary
1
OG
CRITICAL
2
C
HIGH
3
DT
HIGH
4
LB
HIGH
5
RB
MEDIUM
6
CB
MEDIUM
2026 Offseason Moves
+ Additions
Braden Smith
OT
FREE AGENCY
from IND
$12.5M/yr
2yr
Dalton Schultz
TE
FREE AGENCY
$12.6M/yr
1yr
Danielle Hunter
DE
FREE AGENCY
$40.1M/yr
1yr
David Montgomery
RB
TRADE
from DET
Traded from Lions; Texans sent 2026 4th-round pick, 2026 7th-round pick, and OL Juice Scruggs
Ed Ingram
OG
FREE AGENCY
$12.5M/yr
3yr
E.J. Speed
LB
FREE AGENCY
$5.0M/yr
2yr
Foster Moreau
TE
FREE AGENCY
Terms not reported
Ka'imi Fairbairn
K
FREE AGENCY
$6.5M/yr
2yr
Logan Hall
DE
FREE AGENCY
$3.5M/yr
2yr
M.J. Stewart
S
FREE AGENCY
Re-signed
Naquan Jones
DT
FREE AGENCY
$2.0M/yr
1yr
Reed Blankenship
S
FREE AGENCY
from PHI
$8.2M/yr
3yr
Sheldon Rankins
DT
FREE AGENCY
$6.0M/yr
2yr
Trent Brown
OT
FREE AGENCY
$7.0M/yr
1yr
− Losses
Braden Smith
OT
FREE AGENCY
to HOU
UFA from IND; noted for IND as loss
Christian Kirk
WR
FREE AGENCY
UFA; not returning; worst statistical season of career in 2025
Denico Autry
DT
FREE AGENCY
Unrestricted free agent
Joe Mixon
RB
RELEASE
Released at own request; saves $8M in cap space; injury-plagued 2025 season
Juice Scruggs
OG
TRADE
to DET
Traded to Lions as part of David Montgomery deal
Tommy Townsend
P
FREE AGENCY
to TEN
UFA; signed with Titans 1yr deal
Tytus Howard
OT
TRADE
to CLE
Traded to Browns for 2026 5th-round pick; 7-year Texans veteran