Feb. 3, 2026, 5:51 p.m. CT<\/p>\n
The Houston Texans<\/a> struck gold with several picks in last April’s NFL draft, resulting in a 12-win season and another trip to the postseason. Names like offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery<\/a>, wide receiver Jayden Higgins<\/a> and running back Woody Marks<\/a> were staples of the team’s success.<\/p>\n But with a year in the rear-view, what would happen if teams had information on what to expect from certain prospects this time last winter? How different would the draft be in terms of picks? Who would be on the board when Houston was on the clock?<\/p>\n ESPN<\/a> recently revealed its two-round re-draft following the regular season, resulting in the Texans<\/a> keeping their two initial picks at No. 25 and No. 58. Initially, the Texans moved down nine spots to No. 34 and picked up several draft picks in return to select Higgins.<\/p>\n Since trades weren’t allowed, Houston stood pat and simply took Ersery, a likely staple to the Texans’ offensive line for the foreseeable future.<\/p>\n “The Texans\u00a0traded away\u00a0Pro Bowl tackle\u00a0Laremy Tunsil\u00a0and needed a replacement. Houston thought\u00a0Cam Robinson\u00a0could be that player, but they quickly saw throughout training camp that Ersery was the better option,” ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime wrote<\/a>. The second-round pick allowed a pressure rate of 7.9% in 2025 (eighth lowest in the NFL).”<\/p>\n Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.<\/a><\/p>\n Higgins, who finished tied for the team-lead in touchdowns with six, went off the board in the first round to the Buffalo Bills<\/a> at pick No. 30, thus leaving a hole for the second pick. With Marks still available, plus the need to stabilize the rushing attack, a shift toward running back at No. 58 wouldn’t be the worst move, but the Texans also needed to shore up the wide receiver spot with Tank Dell out for the regular season.<\/p>\n Bien-Amie once again figured that targeting a player Houston already knows would be wise, so Jaylin Noel became the new selection over what initially was Jack Bech from TCU.<\/p>\n “Even though Noel didn’t exceed 300 receiving yards as a rookie, the former Iowa State standout is a vertical threat,” Bien-Amie wrote<\/a>. “He had two 40-yard receptions, including a 43-yard touchdown\u00a0against the Chargers. He was just stuck on the depth chart behind wideout\u00a0Christian Kirk, whom the Texans paid $16.5 million this season.”<\/p>\n