2026 NFL mock draft round-up: Experts make final picks for Texans at 28

Texans Wire will release its final mock draft on Wednesday, but our pick comes from the one set by from the universal draft selection with the USA Today Network.

Sep 6, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Christen Miller (52) reacts after a defensive stop against the Austin Peay Governors in the fourth quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. - Georgia DL Christen Miller

From Kiper: "Why would the Texans go defense? Yes, it's their strength, but they need to keep it their strength. Smart teams plan ahead. And having the chance to put a disruptive interior lineman between Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter is exciting. Miller is active and quick, and he keeps getting better. With opponents focused on stopping Anderson and Hunter, Miller could get pressure inside and make some plays in the backfield. He had 7.5 tackles for loss over the past two years."

Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State defensive lineman Kayden McDonald (DL21) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

ESPN's Field Yates - Ohio State DL Kayden McDonald

From Yates: "Houston could use more youth at defensive tackle, and McDonald was the best at his position against the run in 2025. His sturdy frame and power make him a tough player to move around."

Sep 6, 2025; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils offensive lineman Max Iheanachor (58) blocks Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive lineman Trevion Williams (23) during the third quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

ESPN's Peter Schrager - Arizona State OT Max Iheanachor

From Schrager: "One of the players with the biggest upside in this class, Iheanachor is still relatively new to football. The Nigerian-born tackle got to the United States when he was 13 years old and picked up the sport in just the past few years. Still growing and learning, he could be a home run pick if a team is patient and capitalizes on his upside. Houston is always looking for talent on its O-line as the front office works through another makeover of the unit."

Sep 9, 2023; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Christen Miller (52) reacts after making a tackle against the Ball State Cardinals during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The Athletic's Mike Jones - Georgia DL Christen Miller

Note: The Texans acquire pick Nos. 26 and 182 from the Bills for pick Nos. 28 and 106

From Jones: "The Texans met several key needs along their offensive line with veteran free-agent signings such as guard Wyatt Teller and right tackle Braden Smith. They feel like they could improve in the trenches on the defensive side of the ball, however. They have their bookends in Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, and Sheldon Rankins is a reliable and disruptive veteran interior lineman. Pairing the 6-foot-4, 305-pound Miller with him would help further fortify the Houston defensive front."

Dec 20, 2025; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies offensive lineman Chase Bisontis (71) blocks the rush during the game between the Aggies and the Hurricanes at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah - Texas A&M OL Chase Bisontis

From Jeremiah: "There are a lot of similarly graded interior offensive linemen that I have in the second-round range. I have a feeling one of them is going climb into Round 1. In this case, Houston stays in state to add Bisontis."

Tennessee defensive back Colton Hood (8) and the Tennessee defense celebrate after a play stopping the New Mexico State offense in an NCAA college football game on November 15, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn.

NFL.com's Lance Zierlein - Tennessee CB Colton Hood

From Zierlein: "The Texans move out of Round 1 and pick up the No. 33 overall pick. Boasting extensive draft capital, the Jets jump up a few spots from No. 33 to land a starting cornerback."

Dec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) against the Oklahoma Sooners during the CFP National Playoff First Round at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

ESPN's Jordan Reid - Alabama OT Kadyn Proctor

From Reid: "Offensive line has been a constant need for the Texans, and the 6-foot-7, 352-pound Proctor might have the most upside of any blocker in this class. Along with being massive, he's a heavy-handed blocker who generates movement with ease. There are questions about Proctor's conditioning and whether he fits better as a tackle or a guard in the NFL, but the Texans need help up front after finishing last in run block win rate and 30th in pass block win rate last season."

Mar 1, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Clemson offensive lineman Blake Miller (OL35) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

ESPN's Matt Miller - Clemson OT Blake Miller

From Miller: "Signing 30-year-old Braden Smith to a two-year contract solves Houston's right tackle need for the moment, but the Texans' plan to build a young (and inexpensive) offensive line around C.J. Stroud is still in place. Miller started 54 college games at right tackle and improved every season, allowing only two sacks in 2025. With 34-inch arms and a strong base to block from, Miller profiles as a solid starter with higher-end potential as he develops his run-blocking talents."

Ohio State Buckeyes defensive lineman Kayden McDonald (98) celebrates during the second half of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Oct. 4, 2025. Ohio State won 42-3.

ESPN Nation's D.J. Bien-Aime - Ohio State DL Kayden McDonald

From Bien-Amie: "McDonald can develop into how coach DeMeco Ryans envisions the structure of his defense in 2026: playing more light boxes. This way, the Texans can keep a two-high safety shell to protect against explosive plays in the passing game. Houston had the fewest snaps with light boxes against the run in 2025 as it preferred neutral or loaded boxes, according to Next Gen Stats."

Mar 1, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas A&M offensive lineman Chase Bisontis (OL05) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

NFL.com's Bucky Brooks - Texas A&M OL Chase Bisontis

From Brooks: "If C.J. Stroud is going to re-emerge as an elite quarterback, the Texans must improve his protection. Bisontis is a talented technician with the instincts and awareness to be a plug-and-play candidate in Houston."

Ohio State Buckeyes defensive lineman Kayden McDonald (98) takes the field for the NCAA football game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign on Oct. 11, 2025.

Texans Wire's Cole Thompson - Ohio State DL Kayden McDonald

From Thompson: "Houston is known for trading back and given the Cardinals' potential need to target Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, that’s very much in play. However, if there's one player who might stand pat, it's McDonald. The Buckeyes star is coming off one of the best seasons for a defensive tackle, racking up 65 tackles, nine tackles for loss and three sacks. Two of his best games were against Texas and Miami, arguably two teams loaded with future NFL talent. Add in that he's only 21 and still growing, Houston could be getting a prospect who's yet to reach even his floor that already has Day 1 production that teams covet for their defensive lines. The Texans would probably love to land McDonald on Day 2, but if they feel like he's going to be out of the running to fall into Friday's second round, Nick Caserio might just pull the trigger and call it a day. McDonald is already one of the better run-stoppers in the class, which is exactly what Houston wants to pair behind pass-rushing specialist Tommy Togiai and Sheldon Rankins."

Dec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) gestures in the second half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family OK Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

USA Today's Nate Davis - Alabama QB Ty Simpson (pick made by Cardinals)

From Davis: " Could Arizona be the team that comes up for the highly scrutinized ‘Bama quarterback, though Simpson is still widely regarded as this draft’s clear-cut No. 2 passer? It could make sense given veteran Jacoby Brissett remains in place as an ideal bridge option, and the weapons are fairly plentiful when you've got the league's best receiving tight end (Trey McBride) and a solid group of backs and receivers − and that's potentially an understatement if Marvin Harrison Jr. blossoms. Maybe the Cards need to jump the Jets at No. 33 and maybe not. But coming up here from No. 34 probably only costs GM Monti Ossenfort a fourth-rounder while also conferring the fifth-year option that comes with being a first-rounder."

Sep 23, 2023; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive tackle Peter Woods (11) enters the field prior to a game against the Florida State Seminoles at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports

Houston Chronicle's Jonathan M. Alexander - Clemson DL Peter Woods

Note: Alexander has the Texans moving back from No. 28 to No. 34 to allow the Arizona Cardinals to move up for QB Ty Simpson

From Alexander: "Woods has met with the Texans. He’s considered a high-character player and one of the top three defensive tackles in this class. He could become an immediate contributor on this defense, which likes to rotate its defensive tackles frequently. The 6-foot-3, 298-pound defensive tackle was a second-team Associated Press All-American during his junior season after finishing with 30 tackles, 3½ tackles for loss and two sacks."

Oct 25, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) rushes the ball against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

Yahoo Sports' Nate Tice - Alabama OL Kadyn Proctor

From Tice: "General manager Nick Caserio loves his big school players. And Proctor is the literal biggest of big school players in this year’s draft class. Yes, the Texans signed offensive tackle Braden Smith to a two-year deal, but Smith has missed time essentially every season of his career. Proctor would be gigantic at the position, but he could start his career at guard and provide depth at tackle before kicking out down the road. The Texans should keep addressing their offensive line, and while a guard or center option would be preferable, adding beef of some sort, even if there is not a clean path right away, should not stop the Texans from adding a talented player at offensive line."

Clemson Tigers defensive tackle Peter Woods (11) celebrates after sacking Duke Blue Devils quarterback Darian Mensah (10) Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, during the NCAA football game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina.

Fox Sports Henry McKenna - Clemson DT Peter Woods

From McKenna: "This really should be an offensive line pick, but six of them are off the board already. Going defensive tackle makes much more sense if Sheldon Rankins isn’t re-signed in free agency. Houston will need to address their line, but can do so in the second or third round. To let the Texans get the second defensive tackle off the board is a rich-get-richer problem for the NFL."

Nov 28, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils offensive lineman Max Iheanachor (58) against the Arizona Wildcats during the 99th Territorial Cup at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Sports Illustrated's Gilbert Manzano - Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State

From Manzano: "Iheanachor’s stock might have gone up recently after Patriots coach Mike Vrabel showed interest in working with him during his pro day. Iheanachor is a raw prospect, but the Texans have time to develop him after signing Braden Smith and getting promising results from 2025 second-round pick Aireontae Ersery."

Aug 31, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive lineman Peter Woods (11) shown on the field pregame prior to the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Athlon Sports Luke Easterling - Clemson DL Peter Woods

From Easterling: "It’s hard to imagine this defense having any glaring needs after the way they played last season, but finding a disruptive interior defender with pass-rushing potential would be ideal. Woods is a somewhat polarizing prospect due to inconsistent production (mostly due to odd alignment and usage at Clemson), but his full potential could be unlocked by DeMeco Ryans, who knows how to put his players in position to maximize their respective skill sets."

Dec 6, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive lineman Kayden McDonald (98) reacts before the 2025 Big Ten championship game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

The Athletic's Bruce Feldman - Ohio State DL Kayden McDonald

From Feldman: "This is a need spot for Houston, and McDonald is a load against the run. He’s 6-2, 326, and just turned 21. McDonald was a force for the Buckeyes in 2025, making 65 tackles with nine TFLs and three sacks. He also forced two fumbles. Against Texas to start the season, he had eight tackles, the same as he had against Miami to finish the season. That’s a lot of production for an interior D-lineman."

From Rang: "In a case of the rich getting richer, the Texans boost one of the league’s dominant defenses with this year’s top interior lineman. Houston might be able to get McDonald at No. 28 overall, but they shouldn’t balk at giving up a Day 3 pick if it means ensuring they land one of the few nose guards with legitimate pass rush ability."

Nov 22, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Haynes King (10) celebrates with offensive lineman Keylan Rutledge (77) after a touchdown pass against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the second quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Fox Sports' Rob Rang - Georgia Tech OL Keylan Rutledge

From Rang: "The Texans can’t expect C.J. Stroud to bounce back if they don’t protect him. Rutledge has steadily climbed up draft boards throughout the pre-draft process, impressing with his agility, physicality and orneriness at right guard in 43 games over the past four seasons. I think he’d also make a helluva center."

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Final Texans mock draft roundup: A new consensus top player for Houston