The sun rose on another Thursday for everyone else, but for us draft nerds, the light shined upon us just a tad brighter this morning. Today is the day of days, where careers are made, predictions are cast aside, and the ink dries on over 250 picks through three days.
For the Houston Texans, the next three days will supplement the depth chart with young talent to build upon the current roster. Will they build for the future or try to win now? With four selections in the top 70 picks, they can add multiple high-end players to this already robust roster.
With many starters set in place, the team will use the draft to add future starters to the team on cheap contracts, which is highly necessary given the blockbuster deals in place and those to come soon.
Analysis: Could the Texans draft another late-round QB? possibly, but this is certainly not the class to do so. Unless they want to roll the dice on a “once was” top prospect such as Cade Klubnik or Garrett Nussmeier, they should pass on investing in this QB class. I will say, Hayes King would be a fantastic UDFA addition.
Analysis: Last year, Houston would have invested one of their second-round picks on a top-flight RB. This year’s RB class has only three or for starter-worthy options. Most lack either size, speed, or agility.
While this class won’t inspire greatness, Houston should find one rookie to compete with Jawhar Jordan as the RB3, but not at the risk of overvaluing a running back purely based on need. My guy is Emmett Johnson in the fourth round.
Depth: Jaylin Noel, Justin Watson, Xavier Hutchinson, Jared Wayne, Josh Kelly
Analysis: The Texans have five WRs hit free agency after 2026. Even though they double-dipped early last draft, they should not shy away from surrounding Stroud with more weapons. Expect Houston to add a more dynamic receiver such as Antonio Williams to compete with Dell and Noel for the slot role. Whether Houston finds an insurance policy for Tank Dell will be one of the biggest storylines that unfolds during the draft.
If the Texans can find another gem such as Xavier Hutchinson later in the class, that will give them the ammunition to address more pressing needs with their four selections in the first three rounds.
Depth: Cade Stover, Foster Moreau, Brevin Jordan, Luke Lachey, Lane Pryor
Analysis: This is an incredibly muddled group behind Schultz. Stover is coming off an injury in the AFC Divisional round. Brevin Jordan is coming off his second ACL surgery. Luke Lachey, last year’s seventh round pick, fits what the team wants but may lack the talent to break through.
If Houston adds another mid-round tight end, which is their M-O, they have to find a definitive role early to crack the roster. However, if Brevin Jordan or Stover enter the season on IR, it would be a savvy move to find a long-term option with short-term upside. Look out for Joe Royer, who has visited with the Texans, to potentially fit the bill on Day Three.
Starter: Aireontae Ersery, Wyatt Teller, Jake Andrews, Ed Ingram, Braden Smith
Depth: Trent Brown, Blake Fisher, Jarrett Patterson, Evan Brown, Jarrett Kingston, Eli Cox, Sidy Sow
Analysis: NFL 53-man rosters can only maintain 9-10 offensive lineman. Technically, they have everything they need to go into the season with a competent offensive line. However, the number one goal of this entire draft must be to protect and weaponize C.J. Stroud.
Center presents the clearest opportunity to add a starting rookie of offense. A two-way player such as Keyland Rutledge has been thrown around as an early option to be selected. Expect the Texans to select an interior offensive lineman early and find a late-round tackle to sit on the practice squad. This group isn’t done being improved upon until Stroud’s rookie season confidence reappears.
Depth: Dyaln Horton, Dominique Robinson, Solomon Byrd, Xavier Thomas
Analysis: No other position has received as much pre-draft momentum as the DE position. Houston has yet to re-sign Derek Barnett and let Denico Autry walk this offseason. The Dominique Robinson signing doesn’t move the needle. There are still plenty of free agents available to sign, but the rumor mills is that Houston will add a developmental, traits-y DE to sit behind Hunter & Anderson Jr to provide depth and be Hunter’s heir-apparent. Look for Zion Young, Malachi Lawrence, or Gabe Jacas on Day Two to bolster this team-defining room.
Depth: Logan Hall, Naquan Jones, Kyonte Hamilton, Junior Tafuna
Analysis: The biggest position of need on the roster. Togiai and Rankins are sufficient starters and outplayed their station this past season, but they cannot be counted on the be the sole starters. What worked last year was the waves of DTs opposing offenses had to deal with. If there’s a position where Houston will doubled-up in the draft, it’s defensive tackle.