Free agency? Done. NFL Draft? Done. Throughout the offseason, the Texans have added talent at every position. As for the draft and undrafted rookies, Houston added three draftees and two undrafted free agents. The Texans have 39 defensive players on the roster for approximately 25 spots available on the 53 man roster. While free-wheeling Nick Caserio is likely to add additional talent this offseason, the roster is fairly set heading into summer and training camp.

The eighth annual Rosterology post will be coming out next week and will predict which of these players will make the roster. For now, let’s analyze the talent the Texans posses.

If you want to view the Texans Pre-Draft Depth Chart Analysis, click here.

In bold are players the Texans drafted and in bolded italics are the undrafted rookies

Defensive Ends

Starters: Danielle Hunter, Will Anderson Jr.
Backups: Derek Barnett, Darrell Taylor, Dylan Horton
Depth: Kingsley Jonathan, Casey Toohill, Solomon Byrd

Analysis: Houston refrained from adding any defensive ends in the draft for the first time since 2021. This group was fortified via free agency and Danielle Hunter’s contract extension. The biggest battle will be if Dylan Horton in the last year of his contract can win a spot over second year Solomon Byrd and veteran pass rusher Darrell Taylor. Houston usually keeps five DEs on the roster.

Defensive Tackles

Starters: Tim Settle Jr., Sheldon Rankins
Backups: Denico Autry, Mario Edwards Jr., Foley Fatukasi
Depth: Tommy Togiai, Kurt Hinish, Jayden Peevy, Kyonte Hamilton

Analysis: This group got off leagues easier than most predicted. Defensive tackle was tabbed as the third biggest need behind offensive line and wide receiver. However, Houston didn’t address this position until the 224th pick with Kyonte Hamilton. Hamilton is a smaller, pass rush-oriented tackle. Houston tends to carry five DTs, but with five returning and the boomerang return of Sheldon Rankins, Hamilton will be hard pressed for a roster spot. Last year, Marcus Harris, a seventh-round pick from Auburn, had an excellent offseason and still didn’t make the team (he is now actually on the Patriots roster).PLUS, the recent addition of Fatukasi makes Hamilton’s road to the roster extremely tenuous.

Linebackers

Starters: Azeel Al-Shaair, Henry To’oTo’o
Backups: Christian Harris, E.J. Speed
Depth: Jake Hansen, Jamal Hill, Nick Neimann, K.C. Ossai, Jackson Woodard

Analysis: Another group untouched by the draft, Houston has depth and experience at the linebacker position. The addition of E.J. Speed brings elite depth to this position. Look for second year LB Jamal Hill to exceed expectations this year and join the rotation. The undrafted rookie K.C. Ossai is a Conroe, Texas native and made All-Sun Belt as a junior. His older brother is Joseph Ossai who plays for the Cincinnati Bengals. Woodard was added yesterday after not impressing in Seattle’s rookie minicamp – he was the Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

Cornerbacks

Starters: Kamari Lassiter, Derek Stingley Jr.
Backups: Ronald Darby, Jaylin Smith, M.J. Stewart
Depth: Tremon Smith, D’Angelo Ross, Alijah Huzzie, Gregory Junior

Analysis: While cornerback depth was a need, no one expected Houston to pick one in the third round. Houston traded up from pick 102 to select Jaylin Smith from USC. Smith is a versatile and developing secondary player who is best suited in zone coverage. He will immediately compete on special teams and rotate in as a nickel and dime defender. Houston also signed one of the most talented undrafted rookies in Huzzie, who is an elite nickel corner with finesse route mirroring skills. Huzzie’s ACL injury in the East-West Shrine Bowl practice took him off draft boards, but a season recovering on IR will have him ready to contribute in 2026.

Safeties

Starters: Jalen Pitre, Calen Bullock, C.J. Gardner-Johnson
Backups: Jimmie Ward, Jaylen Reed

Depth: Gregory Junior, Russ Yeast

Analysis: Jimmie Ward could be a roster casualty after Houston added Jaylen Reed in the sixth round. Ward is 34 and in the last year of his contract. While Ward is the better player, the long-term development of Reed outweighs keeping Ward and his $5.6M contract. Reed is a downhill safety who is better providing underneath coverage than being a deep safety. He fits well into former safety Eric Murray’s role on the defense. Reed struggled to play the deep ball and defend speedier receivers at Penn State, which could mitigate his role early on.

Defense Analysis: This defense is as deep and talented as it has ever been. The team may lack the superstars of the JJ Watt, Brian Cushing, Jadeveon Clowney era, but they have the tools to define the Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter, Derek Stingley Jr. era. The continued development of last year’s stellar duo Kamari Lassiter and Calen Bullock along with the additions of Jaylen Reed and Jaylin Smith can turn this secondary into the league’s most elite unit. While the defensive line interior is subjectively the weakest unit, they have proven and known commodities there who can get the job done.