🏈 Texans NFL Draft Predictions 2026: Mock Draft Picks, Best Prospect Fits, Team Needs & More
Already one of the most complete rosters in the NFL after a 12-5 season, the Houston Texans hold the No. 28 pick and are looking to fortify the supporting cast around C.J. Stroud and a defense anchored by the newly extended Will Anderson Jr.
As part of our NFL draft predictions for every team, we break down the Texans' full draft picks, biggest team needs, ideal prospect fits, mock draft projections, and our prediction for which player Houston will draft in the first round, which begins Thursday at 8 p.m. ET live on ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network.
📊 Texans draft picks 2026
See where the Texans rank by the latest Super Bowl odds for every team.
| Round | Pick(s) |
|---|---|
| 1 | No. 28 |
| 2 | No. 38 (via WAS), 59 |
| 3 | No. 69 |
| 4 | No. 106, 128 |
| 5 | No. 141, 167 |
| 6 | No pick |
| 7 | No. 243, 244 |
🆘 Texans team needs entering draft
We break down every team's projected NFL win totals with our best Over/Under picks by division.
- Team needs: OL, DL, LB, DB, EDGE
- Key additions: Braden Smith (OT), Wyatt Teller (OG), David Montgomery (RB, via trade), Reed Blankenship (S), Marte Mapu (LB, via trade)
- Key departures: Joe Mixon (RB), Christian Kirk (WR, 49ers), Tytus Howard (OT, Browns via trade), Tim Settle (DL, Commanders), Damone Clark (LB, Lions)
Houston doesn't have many glaring holes, which is the luxury of picking at the end of the first round. GM Nick Caserio has revamped the offensive line for the second straight year by bringing in Smith and Teller, but the unit still needs depth after giving up 60 sacks in 2025 - tied for second-most in the NFL. On defense, DeMeco Ryans' group remains elite, but both starting linebackers are entering contract years, making it worth investing in the position's future now.
🏈 Texans draft prospect fits
I asked NFL draft expert Rob Paul to pick the Texans' best prospect fit in a dream scenario, their safest pick, and their best upside pick for Thursday:
| Pick type | No. 28 pick | Grade | Paul's take |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🌟 Dream pick | CJ Allen, LB, Georgia (trade back) | 7.0 | Perhaps a team like the New York Jets or Arizona Cardinals will want to move up for QB Ty Simpson. In that case, Houston could trade back and take Allen, a sideline-to-sideline linebacker with instincts DeMeco Ryans will covet |
| 🛡️ Safe pick | Kayden McDonald, IDL, Ohio State | 7.05 | The best run-stuffing defensive tackle in the draft, McDonald eats double teams for breakfast with his stoutness, ability to anchor down, and knock-back power |
| 🚀 Upside pick | Peter Woods, IDL, Clemson | 7.0 | This Houston defense is so dominant that it could be the perfect landing spot for a super-talented player like Woods, who can focus on being a penetrating 3-tech with his first step burst and quick hands |
More scouting reports & player profiles
➡️ Arvell Reese draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
➡️ Jeremiyah Love draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
➡️ Carnell Tate draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
➡️ Jordyn Tyson draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
📝 Texans mock draft consensus picks
I went through the latest mock drafts from other top experts across the industry and gathered their predictions for the Texans' first pick in the 2026 NFL draft. Here's who they expect Houston to draft at No. 28:
| Source | Pick |
|---|---|
| Mel Kiper (ESPN) | Christen Miller, DT, Georgia |
| Chad Reuter (NFL.com) | Blake Miller, OT, Clemson |
| Mike Renner (CBS) | Blake Miller, OT, Clemson |
| Todd McShay (The Ringer) | Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State |
| Dane Brugler (The Athletic) | Chase Bisontis, G, Texas A&M |
| Nate Tice (Yahoo) | Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas |
Four of the six mock drafts we surveyed have Houston selecting an offensive lineman: two have Clemson tackle Blake Miller, while the other two feature Arizona State tackle Max Iheanachor and Texas A&M guard Chase Bisontis. ESPN's Mel Kiper thinks the Texans will draft Georgia's Christen Miller to shore up the interior defensive line - a position that Paul expects Houston to target, too - while Yahoo's Nate Tice projects Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. to stay in state at No. 28.
🔮 Texans draft prediction 2026
See Rob Paul's expert NFL mock draft for projections and analysis of all 32 first-round picks.
Paul's pick at No. 28: Kayden McDonald, IDL, Ohio State
- Pro comparison: Travis Jones
- Measurables: 6'2" | 326 lbs | 21 years old | RAS: N/A
The first interior defensive lineman goes off the board to a team that's already loaded on the defensive side of the ball. Although the Houston Texans aren't absolutely desperate for defensive tackle help, it's one of their bigger needs, and Kayden McDonald can fit into the rotation right away. While McDonald needs to develop a stronger pass rush plan, he's a classic run-stuffing nose tackle that can occupy double teams and eat space to keep the Pro Bowlers around him clean.
🏈 NFL draft predictions by team
See the live NFL draft odds for the top picks from the best NFL betting sites.
Ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, I broke down every team's full draft capital, their biggest needs and ideal prospect fits, the latest mock draft consensus from industry experts, and our draft prediction for their first pick this week:
AFC East: Bills | Dolphins | Jets | Patriots
AFC North: Bengals | Browns | Ravens | Steelers
AFC South: Colts | Jaguars | Texans | Titans
AFC West: Broncos | Chargers | Chiefs | Raiders
NFC East: Commanders | Cowboys | Eagles | Giants
NFC North: Bears | Lions | Packers | Vikings
NFC South: Buccaneers | Falcons | Panthers | Saints
NFC West: 49ers | Cardinals | Rams | Seahawks
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