A casual Texans fan's guide to the 2026 NFL draft
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Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans in 2025. Photo: Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images
Thursday's NFL draft will offer the Texans a chance to build on their roster heading into the 2026–27 season.
Why it matters: If Houston wants to win its first Super Bowl next year, now is the time to start shaking things up.
State of play: Houston is well-equipped offensively with quarterback C.J. Stroud, the Texans' No. 2 overall pick in 2023.
- Under Stroud and head coach DeMeco Ryans, Houston made the playoffs in each year since.
Zoom in: Texans assistant general manager Chris Blanco told ESPN the front office will focus on building the team's offensive and defensive lines with this year's selections.
- Stroud could always use more protection in the pocket. He was sacked 23 times in 14 regular season games last year and averaged losing 13.5 yards per sack, per ESPN.
Yes, but: General manager Nick Caserio, whose decision can trump all others in Houston's front office, says he has his eyes on whoever the best player is by the time Houston's number is called — regardless of position.
- "That's what we've always done," Caserio told ESPN. "That's not going to change this year relative to previous years. We're a 'BPA' [Best Player Available] team. That's what we do: take the best player available."
Names to know: NFL insiders vary in their opinion of whom the Texans will select first, per Texans Wire.
- Some say it will be a defensive lineman, like Georgia's Christen Miller, Ohio State's Kayden McDonald or Clemson's Peter Woods.
- Others suggest it will be an offensive tackle, like Arizona State's Max Iheanachor, Alabama's Kadyn Proctor or Clemson's Blake Miller.
By the numbers: The Texans have eight picks, per ESPN: Nos. 28, 38, 59, 69, 106, 141, 167 and 243.
How to watch: The draft starts at 8pm Thursday. Rounds 2 and 3 air at 7pm Friday, with the remaining four rounds airing noon Saturday.
- There are a ton of places to watch: ESPN, ABC (for Round 1), Disney+, NFL Network and the ESPN App.