Picking winners and losers for the Texans after the 2026 NFL Draft

Loser: TE Cade Stover

His partially torn MCL and PCL in the Divisional Round game further worsen his outlook to make the roster. If anything, Stover may *benefit* from starting the season on Injured Reserve, waiting until another injury occurs, and resuming his place on the roster mid-season. In a five-man competition for three spots in the tight end room, Stover Stover enters the 2025 season with his footing already unstable after the Texans selected Marlin Klein in the second round. Klein’s ability to both pass protect and function as a true receiving option highlights a gap Stover has not closed in his three NFL seasons. Injuries and missed chances when healthy stalled his development and pushed Houston to add Foset Maureau in free agency before doubling down with Klein in the draft. The result is a five-man tight end competition for a room that will likely carry only three.

Winner: OT Blake Fisher

In a rarity since he’s joined the team, something good happened to Blake Fisher. The Texans refrained from drafting a tackle to compete with Fisher to backup Aireontay Ersery. Instead, the two offensive lineman who were picked only are interior players. While Fisher desperately needs to prove his worth this offseason, his role as the swing tackle will remain in tact for another season. Though with the additions of tight ends Marlin Klein and Foster Moreau he won’t be called upon as the sixth offensive lineman in jumbo packages. Is there a path to start for Fisher? Doubtful. Even so, Houston avoided putting the pressure on Fisher to perform or else be cut.

Loser: OC/OG Jarrett Patterson

No other player was more negatively impacted than Patterson. The former sixth-round pick from Notre Dame started 21 games for the Texans in the past three seasons, but his limited athletic profile has let him down at times. Houston bringing in tow interior lineman crushes his possibility to return. I can’t imagine thTexans having enough room for Andrews, Patterson, the rookies ,and the vets Wyatt Teller and Ed Ingram. The clock is ticking on Patterson’s time in Houston

Winner: CB Jaylin Smith

Last year’s third-round pick from USC received a vote of confidence from the coach staff when they refrained from adding more competition for his backup role. Smith missed most of last season with a XXX injury. Smith still has three years left on his contract and is a fairly unknown prospect in the Texans system. While he shouldn’t worry too much about making the roster, he still has a ways to go to truly earn the confidence of the fans.

Loser: the entire linebacker room

This position group will have by far the most competition heading into training camp. There are NINE roster-worthy LBs on the team for only five spots.

• **Starters**: Henry To’To’o, Azeez Al-Shaair
• **Backups**: E.J. Speed, Wade Woodaz (rookie)
• **Depth**: Marte Mapu, Jake Hansen, Jake Hummel, Aiden Fisher (rookie), Jamal Hill Even the starters should feel the pressure of the Texans adding two rookie linebackers to the room. While they are fourth and seventh-round picks respectively, it signals that the Texans very clearly acknowledged the long-term issues for the group. Four linebackers have contracts expiring in 2026 including both starters (before the Azeez Al-Shaair extension). Rookies Wade Woodaz and Aiden Fisher should both compete for roster spots, but only one will make it against a stacked linebacker corps.

Winner: RB Jawhar Jordan

Houston held out from adding to the room from this running back class that lacked early-round prospects. The trio of David Montgomery, Woody Marks, and Jawhar Jordan might be the worst positional group on the team. However, for Jordan, it presents a fantastic opportunity to start and contribute. Had the Texans drafted a RB, he would have been in-line to compete against Jordan for the final RB spot. Watch out for Noah Whittington, the UDFA from Oregon to challenge in rookie mini camp.

Loser: Justin Watson, WR

Watson was a non-factor last year and only appeared in three games. He was tabbed to contribute in the run game and short-area pass game similar to what he brought to Kansas City. Watson landed on injured reserve in Week Two after suffering a calf/achilles injury against Tampa Bay. With the addition of sixth-rounder Lewis Bond, Houston has six home-grown receivers to utilize in 2026. That leaves Watson on the outside-looking-in for a spot on the roster. A healthy Watson will certainly compete for a roster spot, but what he has left in the tank is yet to be seen.

Winner: Tank Dell

The Texans demonstrated their trust for the former third-rounder to regain his former form by waiting until the sixth round to select a wide out. The Texans did draft Lewis Bond from Boston College, who is a smaller receiver with route-running finesse, but he pales in comparison to Dell’s dynamic playmaking ability and downfield speed. This is Dell’s last year under his rookie contract; a great time for the Texans to prepare for his departure by signing a high-quality veteran. However, their restraint does project Houston to re-sign Dell after this season if he performs as well as before.