Houston Texans 2026 Pre-Draft Depth Chart

Running Back

• Starter: David Montgomery
• Depth: Woody Marks, Jawhar Jordan, British Brooks **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.

Wide Receiver

• Starter: Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Jayden Higgins
• 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.

Tight End

• Starter: Dalton Schultz
• 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.

Offensive Line

• 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.

Defense

Defensive End

• Starter: Danielle Hunter, Will Anderson Jr.
• 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.

Defensive Tackle

• Starter: Tommy Togiai, Sheldon Rankins
• 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.

Linebacker

• Starter: Henry To’oTo’o, Azeez Al-Shaair
• Depth: E.J. Speed, Jake Hansen, Marte Mapu, Jamal Hill, Jake Hummel **Analysis:** Houston re-signed Speed, traded for Mapu, and added Hummel in free agency. However, there is a need for a long-term solution at the position. Both starters are on the final year of their contract, plus multiple backups. This is a deep draft class at LB, and the Texans get a strong contributor to be coached up between rounds three and five.

Cornerback

• Starter: Kamari Lassiter, Derek Stingley Jr., Jalen Pitre
• Depth: Jaylin Smith, Tremon Smith, Ajani Carter, Ja’Marcus Ingram, Alijah Huzzie, Brandon Codrington **Analysis:** Jaylin Smith is the second-biggest question mark on this team behind Tank Dell. If he’s ready to rock in 2026, the Texans don’t need to invest in this position. However, a mid-to-late round pick improves the immediate depth. Another angle is the Texans acquiring depth behind Jalen Pitre. Without him, the defense loses its schematic flexibility, often forcing the coaching staff to completely alter their game plan.

Safety

• Starter: Calen Bullock, Reed Blankenship
• Depth: M.J. Stewart, Jaylen Reed, Kaevon Merriweather **Analysis:** This position could truly use one more stud for rotational purposes. Blankenship didn’t play as well in 2025 as he did in 2024, but still will be a suitable starter. Houston does have a void year embedded into his contract to save $10M if he doesn’t pan out. Additionally, the Texans went through three-to-four safeties next to Bullock. A Day Two selection will scratch some heads around the fanbase, but could be a significant, long-term upgrade to a critical position in the Texans defense.