{"id":852150,"date":"2026-04-03T22:55:34","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T22:55:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/852150\/"},"modified":"2026-04-03T22:55:34","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T22:55:34","slug":"a-new-consensus-top-player-for-houston","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/852150\/","title":{"rendered":"A new consensus top player for Houston"},"content":{"rendered":"

April 3, 2026, 1:04 p.m. CT<\/p>\n

At the end of the day, one pick won’t define the Houston Texans<\/a>‘ 2026 season, but the notion of missing out on an offensive lineman once again could make or break for the Texans<\/a> once more.<\/p>\n

The initial major wave of free agency has end, so the Texans know what their short-term needs are headed in the end of the month. While right tackle and left guard remain long-term issues, perhaps it’s not the most important position to address after the signing of Colts longtime right tackle Braden Smith<\/a> and Browns lineman Wyatt Teller.<\/p>\n

The same goes for the defensive line after Sheldon Rankins<\/a> and Logan Hall<\/a> each inked two-year deals to stick around NRG Stadium through 2028. As for safety, the Texans might need to worry about how to replace Calen Bullock should he become too expensive in the future, but the immediate arrival of Reed Blankenship should stabilize the strong safety spot after five players saw reps last fall on the No. 1.<\/p>\n

So, where do the Texans turn next?<\/p>\n

Following the league owner meetings, all eyes turn toward the draft as the next calendar move. Pro days are over and players have begun separating themselves as legit Day 1 selections and potential late-round steals.<\/p>\n

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.<\/a><\/p>\n

Who is in play for the Texans at No. 28?<\/p>\n

Texans Wire<\/a> has rounded up the latest 2026 NFL mock drafts, where experts believe the Texans will more than likely shore up the trenches should they stay in the first round, and three names that constantly seem to appear as the favorites to call NRG Stadium home for the long haul.<\/p>\n

\"SepESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. – Georgia DL Christen Miller<\/p>\n

From Kiper:<\/a> “Why would the Texans go defense? Yes, it’s their strength, but they need to\u00a0keep\u00a0it their strength. Smart teams plan ahead. And having the chance to put a disruptive interior lineman between\u00a0Will Anderson Jr<\/a>. and\u00a0Danielle Hunter<\/a>\u00a0is exciting. Miller is active and quick, and he keeps getting better. With opponents focused on stopping Anderson and Hunter, Miller could get pressure inside and make some plays in the backfield. He had 7.5 tackles for loss over the past two years.”<\/p>\n

\"FebESPN’s Field Yates – Ohio State DL Kayden McDonald<\/p>\n

From Yates: “Houston could use more youth at defensive tackle, and McDonald was the best at his position against the run in 2025. His sturdy frame and power make him a tough player to move around.”<\/p>\n

\"DecNFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah – Texas A&M OL Chase Bisontis<\/p>\n

From Jeremiah: “<\/a>There are a lot of\u00a0similarly graded interior offensive linemen<\/a>\u00a0that I have in the second-round range. I have a feeling one of them is going climb into Round 1. In this case, Houston stays in state to add Bisontis.”<\/p>\n

\"OctNFL.com’s Lance Zierlein – Texas LB Anthony Hill Jr.<\/p>\n

From Zierlein:<\/a>“Hill is fast, can rush or cover on third down and is a very good tackle finisher who rarely misses assignments in the run game. Both Texans starting linebackers (Henry To’oTo’o<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Azeez Al-Shaair<\/a>) are free agents after 2026; however, Hill should be able to supplant To’oTo’o\u00a0this\u00a0year.”<\/p>\n

\"MarESPN’s Matt Miller – Clemson OT Blake Miller<\/p>\n

From Miller:<\/a> “Signing 30-year-old\u00a0Braden Smith<\/a>\u00a0to a\u00a0two-year contract<\/a>\u00a0solves Houston’s right tackle need for the moment, but the Texans’ plan to build a young (and inexpensive) offensive line around\u00a0C.J. Stroud<\/a>\u00a0is still in place. Miller started 54 college games at right tackle and improved every season, allowing only two sacks in 2025. With 34-inch arms and a strong base to block from, Miller profiles as a solid starter with higher-end potential as he develops his run-blocking talents.”<\/p>\n

\"SepTexans Wire’s Cole Thompson – Arizona State OT Max Iheanachor<\/p>\n

From Thompson:<\/a>“The Texans are known for trading back, so picking a few extra picks and still landing Iheanachor might end up being the best course of action for GM Nick Caserio. The redshirt senior started 31 games over his three seasons with the Sun Devils, including all 14 of their College Football Playoff run in 2024. He’s a proven name that could immediately compete with Trent Brown for reps at right tackle. He’s ready as a run blocker, but his pass protection could use some work.”<\/p>\n

\"ClemsonUSA Today’s Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz – Clemson OT Blake Miller<\/p>\n

From Middlehurst-Schwartz<\/a>:”Even with the strides made in pass protection last year, the Texans still seem at least a little unsettled up front. Keeping Tytus Howard at left guard might be the optimal route for Houston, but doing so would create some uncertainty at right tackle. The ultra-reliable Miller, who started for four years at Clemson, could step in as the final piece of the puzzle.”<\/p>\n

\"SepUSA Today’s Ayrton Ostly – Florida DL Caleb Banks<\/p>\n

From Ostley:<\/a> “Houston\u2019s defense is one of the scariest units in the NFL and should be that once again in 2026 but they have a need on the interior. Banks could shore that up in a big way. A foot injury at the combine may drop his stock but he\u2019s one of the best at the position in the class at 6-foot-6 and 327 pounds.”<\/p>\n

\"JanUSA Today’s Nate Davis – Indiana WR Omar Cooper Jr.<\/p>\n

From Davis:<\/a> “They invested heavily in (Iowa State) receivers in last year\u2019s draft, but Houston still doesn\u2019t have a proven option behind WR1 Nico Collins. And a team that doesn\u2019t appear to have many glaring needs might decide Cooper, Mendoza\u2019s top target at IU \u2212 and one comfortable operating from the slot \u2212 might be too good to pass up.”<\/p>\n

\"FebThe Athletic’s Mike Jones – Clemson OT Blaker Miller<\/p>\n

From Jones:<\/a>“The Texans continue their upgrade of the offensive line with Miller. Yes, they signed veteran right tackle Braden Smith in free agency, but the former Indianapolis Colt has battled injury in recent years, and Miller gives the Texans the long-term answer at the position. At 6-7 and 317 pounds, he has great size. He is a four-year starter and has great durability. Paired with 2025 second-round pick Aireontae Ersery, who starts at left tackle, Houston now has its bookends of the future to help keep C.J. Stroud upright for years to come.”<\/p>\n

\"AugNFL.com’s Bucky Brooks – Clemson DT Peter Woods<\/p>\n

From Brooks<\/a>: “Slotting in a disruptive defensive tackle between a pair of All-Pro edge rushers (Danielle Hunter\u00a0and\u00a0Will Anderson Jr.) would make the Texans’ defense even nastier.”<\/p>\n

\"TexasCBS Sports Garrett Podell – Texas Tech DL Lee Hunter<\/p>\n

From Podell:<\/a>\u00a0“Lee Hunter is a strong, wide defensive tackle, which made him an outstanding run defender at Texas Tech. Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter can help improve his pass-rushing chops at the NFL level, and he can learn the ropes from Sheldon Rankins for a couple of years before being relied on more heavily during passing downs.”<\/p>\n

\"DecHouston Chronicle’s Jonathan Alexander – Ohio State DT Kayden McDonald<\/p>\n

From Alexander:<\/a> “With McDonald being the best available player on the board, it made sense for Houston to take him here. Florida\u2019s Caleb Woods was another option, but he suffered a broken foot at the combine.\u00a0 McDonald, who is 6-foot-3 and 326 pounds, was one of the most productive defensive tackles in college football. He\u2019s more of a run stopper than a pass rusher, which is exactly what the Texans need.”<\/p>\n

\"OctYahoo Sports’ Nate Tice – Alabama OL Kaydn Proctor<\/p>\n

From Tice<\/a>: “General manager Nick Caserio loves his big school players. And Proctor is the literal biggest of big school players in this year\u2019s draft class. Yes, the Texans signed offensive tackle Braden Smith to a two-year deal, but Smith has missed time essentially every season of his career. Proctor would be gigantic at the position, but he could start his career at guard and provide depth at tackle before kicking out down the road. The Texans should keep addressing their offensive line, and while a guard or center option would be preferable, adding beef of some sort, even if there is not a clean path right away, should not stop the Texans from adding a talented player at offensive line.”<\/p>\n

\"ClemsonFox Sports Greg Auman – Clemson DT Peter Woods<\/p>\n

From Auman:<\/a>“This really should be an offensive line pick, but six of them are off the board already. Going defensive tackle makes much more sense if Sheldon Rankins isn\u2019t re-signed in free agency. Houston will need to address their line, but can do so in the second or third round. To let the\u00a0Texans\u00a0get the second defensive tackle off the board is a rich-get-richer problem for the NFL.”<\/p>\n

\"NovSports Illustrated’s Gilbert Manzano – Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State<\/p>\n

From Manzano<\/a>: “Iheanachor\u2019s stock might have gone up recently after Patriots coach Mike\u00a0Vrabel showed interest in working with him\u00a0during his pro day. Iheanachor is a raw prospect, but the Texans have time to develop him after signing Braden Smith and getting promising results from 2025 second-round pick Aireontae Ersery.”<\/p>\n

\"OhioAthlon Sports Luke Easterling – Oho State DL Kayden McDonald<\/p>\n

From Easterling:<\/a>“The offensive line is Houston\u2019s top priority, but after signing Braden Smith to replace Tytus Howard at right tackle, they could wait until Day 2 to address the interior. That could free them up to spend this pick on another high-upside weapon for DeMeco Ryans\u2019 defense, bringing Banks\u2019 massive frame and rare physical traits into a defense that\u2019s built to maximize what he does well, with a coaching staff that will get the most out of his talent.”<\/p>\n

\"DecThe Athletic’s Bruce Feldman – Ohio State DL Kayden McDonald<\/p>\n

From Feldman:<\/a> “This is a need spot for Houston, and McDonald is a load against the run. He\u2019s 6-2, 326, and just turned 21. McDonald was a force for the Buckeyes in 2025, making 65 tackles with nine TFLs and three sacks. He also forced two fumbles. Against Texas to start the season, he had eight tackles, the same as he had against Miami to finish the season. That\u2019s a lot of production for an interior D-lineman.”<\/p>\n

\"OctNFL.com’s Nick Shook – Utah OT Caleb Lomu<\/p>\n

From Shook:<\/a> “The Texans\u2019 biggest weakness over the last two years has been their offensive line. GM Nick Caserio dedicated resources to it this offseason by signing guard\u00a0Wyatt Teller\u00a0and tackle\u00a0Braden Smith, but why stop there?\u00a0“<\/p>\n

\"OhioFox Sports’ Rob Rang – Ohio State DL Kayden McDonald<\/p>\n

From Rang:<\/a> “In a case of the rich getting richer, the Texans boost one of the league\u2019s dominant defenses with this year\u2019s top interior lineman. Houston might be able to get McDonald at No. 28 overall, but they shouldn\u2019t balk at giving up a Day 3 pick if it means ensuring they land one of the few nose guards with legitimate pass rush ability.”<\/p>\n

\"OhioSporting News’ Vinnie Iyer – Ohio State DL Kayden McDonald<\/p>\n

From Iyer:<\/a>“The Texans will keep piling on to their defense by addressing some of the weak spots. McDonald fills a big hole for adding more inside pass-rush po,p, including maintaining power run stopping.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"April 3, 2026, 1:04 p.m. CT At the end of the day, one pick won’t define the Houston…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":783285,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2056],"tags":[95878,7,221,253,2368,6,96520,96521,97116,95882,95930,97397,95953,96682,96853,95896,95888,96683,96685,95895,96681,98341,96686,96680,96687,96684,96678,95906,98554,96177,96008,95883,97274,97222,222,1461,95881],"class_list":{"0":"post-852150","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-houston-texans","8":"tag-accessfree","9":"tag-football","10":"tag-houston","11":"tag-houston-texans","12":"tag-houstontexans","13":"tag-nfl","14":"tag-sstssportsnfltexans","15":"tag-sstsntexans","16":"tag-tag2026-nfl-draft","17":"tag-tagamerican-football","18":"tag-tagbig-ten-conference-football","19":"tag-taghouston","20":"tag-taghouston-texans","21":"tag-tagmadden-nfl","22":"tag-tagmike-vrabel","23":"tag-tagnational-sports","24":"tag-tagnfl","25":"tag-tagnfl-draft","26":"tag-tagnfl-films","27":"tag-tagnfl-hub","28":"tag-tagnfl-junkies","29":"tag-tagnfl-mock-draft","30":"tag-tagnfl-mvp","31":"tag-tagnfl-overreactions","32":"tag-tagnfl-playoffs","33":"tag-tagnfl-scouting-combine","34":"tag-tagnico-collins","35":"tag-tagoverall-positive","36":"tag-tagsheldon-rankins","37":"tag-tagsmg-breaking-wire","38":"tag-tagsmg-listicle","39":"tag-tagsports-news","40":"tag-tagttp-listicle","41":"tag-tagwill-anderson-jr","42":"tag-texans","43":"tag-tx","44":"tag-typestory"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":"Validation failed: Text character limit of 500 exceeded"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/852150","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=852150"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/852150\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/783285"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=852150"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=852150"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=852150"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}