Feb. 9, 2026, 6:03 a.m. CT
At the end of the day, one pick won’t define the Houston Texans‘ 2026 season, but the notion of missing out on an offensive lineman once again could make or break the AFC South franchise once more.
After making it to back-to-back divisional round matchups, Houston once again finds itself coming up short, this time picking 28th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft after going 12-5. C.J. Stroud is back for another season, but he’ll need to prove his value as potentially the long-term answer at quarterback following a disastrous postseason appearance.
Houston doesn’t have any glaring needs on defense, depending on the status of a new deal with defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins ahead of free agency, but the offense, mostly the offensive line, will no doubt be the biggest focus for general manager Nick Caserio this offseason. Shoring up the interior line, in particular, is a glaring need, but right tackle could also be a position to monitor since the Texans could shift Tytus Howard to right guard full-time.
With the Super Bowl in the rear-view and the season behind us, it’s time to give you Texans Wire’s first mock draft of the 2026 offseason. Using the Pro Football Network simulator, this first draft won’t feature trades, meaning al eight picks will be in the location leading up to the draft.
Without further ado, here’s our first crack at trying to get the Texans built to win their first Lombardi Trophy in franchise history next season outa at SoFi Stadium.
Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.
Moving Tytus Howard inside to guard could benefit both sides since he’ll be on one of the more team-friendly contracts regarding the position in terms of value. Proctor has never seen reps on the right side, but his footwork, hand usage and ability to win in pass-protection make him a priority option should the Texans stick around in Round 1. He has 40 starts on his resume in the SEC and allowed just five sacks in over 1,800 passing sets.
All four prospects we considered were on the board when selecting. Given head coach DeMeco Ryans’ background and Caserio’s love to target prospects from the Southeastern Conference, it was always meant to see the Alabama grad join forces with the former Crimson Tide linebacker.
While the Texans could target a defensive tackle, landing Pregnon 10 spots after nearly taking him at No. 28 is a win. Everything this offseason should be built around Stroud’s improvement in the pocket. Much of that process involves keeping the quarterback upright. This is an easy pick since the All-American interior lineman checks off every box Caserio looks for in a draft pick. Pregnon, who might be one of the most improved interior linemen in the Big Ten, moves so well for such a physical, nasty presence in the run blocking.
Moving Howard to right guard might be beneficial since Pregnon could work alongside Tay Ersery, taking a step forward in Year 2. Proctor gets a bit of insurance, and the veteran alleviates pressure on the right side.
Joe Mixon could be out the door if the Texans can’t get a reworked deal in motion and Nick Chubb is expected to test free agency. Over his four college seasons between stops in Tucson and Seattle, Coleman totaled 3,054 and averaged 5.5 yards per attempt. While his numbers dipped in 2025, the 6-foot runner finished with a career-best 15 touchdowns.
He’ll be the power back used in the red zone that should take pressure off Woody Marks as the new lead back.
Look, Dunker is probably not going to be here in April, but he’s here in the current mock draft, so why would you look anywhere else? As a pass protector, Dunker excels by playing in a balanced, square approach, delivering clean punches effectively. He’s somewhat stiff in the hips, which could limit his overall success against speed rushers, but the tackle is expected to shift inside at the pro-level.
If you need another reason to take him? Look at the stache-mullet combo. It’s like getting a do-over for missing out on Tate Ratledge a season ago for best ‘doo in the league.
This is a true ballhawking safety who operates best as a free-flowing defender. Calen Bullock has flourished in that role, but if one of them can improve in run support, the Texans could end up having the best secondary for years to come with Kamari Lassiter, Jalen Pitre and Derek Stingley Jr. staying in front of them.
While the Texans have Dalton Schultz under contract, they have to start looking for a second option in the passing game that can be stable as a blocker. When lined up in the slot, Stowers showed he was a willing hitter for run protection. He also served as a security blanket for Heisman Trophy runner-up Diego Pavia for three seasons.
Yes, the Texans would love a better blocking option, but if offensive coordinator Nick Caley likes him, he deserves to have a say. After all, remember Rob Gronkowski? Caley worked with him, so let him pick at least one tight end in his tenure.
After following Curt Cignetti from James Madison to Indiana, Fisher was the anchor up the middle of the Hoosiers’ national championship run over his final two seasons, racking up over 90 tackles, 11 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, and two interceptions in his final season. He’s a good tackler who uses a lower pad level to win off the block and constantly wraps up opponents. With Christian Harris and E.J. Speed expected to test free agency, Fisher should fill in well as a depth piece at the second level.
One can never have too much depth in the trenches. Adding Ball, who last season notched four tackles for loss and was a staple in the run game as a stuffer, seems like a solid pick-up late with upside.
Adding a wideout seems like the perfect plan to close out a Caserio draft. Douglas, a 6-foot-4 vertical threat, is coming off back-to-back seasons as the Red Raiders’ No. 1 target with limited quarterback play. Adding in another weapon for Stroud, who has upside to be a difference-maker in the red zone, should benefit all parties.
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