Over the years, Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio has been known for making trades on draft night. In two of the last three years, he’s traded out of the first round to land more draft compensation on Day 2.

Will that be the case again in 2026?

Advertisement

According to The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, the Texans will keep the streak alive for another year.

In his latest two-round mock draft, Brugler has the Arizona Cardinals doing business with Houston to target their long-term quarterback replacement in Alabama’s Ty Simpson. In return for pick No. 28, the Texans receive the Cardinals‘ second-round pick at No. 34 and a 2027 third-round pick, bringing their selection total to eight entering Day 2.

“This would be back-to-back years the Texans have traded down to No. 34 with a team looking for a quarterback (they made a similar deal last year with the Giants, who then selected Jaxson Dart),” Brugler wrote.

With both top 10 picks in the second round, Houston strengthens its trenches on both sides. Multiple mocks have shown Houston selecting Clemson right tackle Blake Miller to close out Round 1, but like in normal Caserio fashion, he lands the player that likely would have been in play on Thursday with an early selection on Friday evening.

With Tytus Howard gone, expect Miller to compete with a proven veteran for starting reps at right tackle.

“Houston found its left tackle (Aireontae Ersery) in the second round last season and could do the same at right tackle this year,” Brugler wrote. “Miller is an iron man with the talent and intangibles that fit what the Texans covet.

Best known for his run-blocking prowess, Miller would help upgrade a lackluster run support staff that will now be tasked with blocking for former Lions star David Montgomery. Miller, who helped the Tigers reach the College Football Playoff in 2024, might not be NFL-ready from the jump, but Houston could bring back veteran Trent Brown on a one-year deal to fill the void until Miller proves his worth.

At pick No. 38, Houston finds a long-term option at defensive tackle with Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald. A projected first-round pick, McDonald struggled at the combine to live up to the tape. From a skill position, the junior Buckeye has upside to be a quality starter at the next level. He could be considered a steal for Houston’s front seven should he fall outside of Day 1 chatter.

Advertisement

With the final pick on Day 2, Brugler has the Texans addressing the interior line, adding All-Big Ten offensive linemen Gennings Dunker. As a tackler, Dunker proved to be a standout for the Hawkeyes during his two seasons on the right side, but projects better as a guard in the pros. He’s a road mauler in the trenches, offering stability in run blocking with a mean streak to work upfield and hit anyone in his way.

To read all of Reid’s mock draft, click here.

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: NFL Draft: The Athletic has Texans moving out of Round 1 in new mock