<![CDATA[Houston Football]]>

<![CDATA[Houston Football]]>https://www.houfootball.comhttps://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!IHtc!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F30d1c13b-f22f-4cb2-a6ab-d85206bbb785_1280x1280.pngHouston Footballhttps://www.houfootball.comSubstackMon, 15 Jun 2026 02:02:53 GMT<![CDATA[Minicamp Wraps Up as Texans Head to Their Summer Break]]>https://www.houfootball.com/p/minicamp-wraps-up-as-texans-headhttps://www.houfootball.com/p/minicamp-wraps-up-as-texans-headFri, 12 Jun 2026 14:03:10 GMTThe Houston Texans finished their mandatory minicamp with a full walkthrough on Thursday. There weren’t any observations to make from the workout that occurred at walkthrough speed. It did present some clues that could help formulate an early 53-man roster, so look for that next week.

Minicamp, however, is over.

After watching all the practices over the past few weeks, here are seven things I believe to be true about the team.

C.J. Stroud hasn’t displayed the fruits of an impressive offseason yet. DeMeco Ryans has mentioned it numerous times, general manager Nick Caserio praised Stroud, and multiple teammates have explained that the quarterback worked hard in the offseason. That hasn’t shown up in the handful of practices the media has been allowed to observe Stroud. There are good moments and throws, but still too many misses for a quarterback who needs to take the next step. The offense has been in practice mode. There isn’t a lot of running, if any. Nico Collins hasn’t been in the lineup. It’s also the league’s best defense staring Stroud down. Training camp will hopefully show Stroud is ready for the next step.
Keylan Rutledge is in an uphill battle to start at center. If the Texans played a

]]><![CDATA[Minicamp Rolled On With Some Good and Bad from C.J. Stroud and the Offense]]>https://www.houfootball.com/p/minicamp-rolled-on-with-some-goodhttps://www.houfootball.com/p/minicamp-rolled-on-with-some-goodWed, 10 Jun 2026 19:00:15 GMTThe Houston Texans held their second day of mandatory minicamp on Wednesday.

Here are 11 observations from the workout.

C.J. Stroud and the offense improved from their Tuesday performance. Stroud started a little slow, throwing a pick-six to Jalen Pitre in 7-on-7. It was a great read by Pitre. Stroud hadn’t made mistakes like that on quick decisions before. Stroud threaded the needle to Dalton Schultz over safety Reed Blankenship. It was one of his best throws of the day. Jayden Higgins effortlessly hauled in a strike from Stroud in the first team period for a nice chunk of yards. Stroud’s success on short passes showed up after another mistake. Xavier Hutchinson hauled in two passes to set the offense up for a field goal attempt.

]]><![CDATA[Minicamp Kicks Off With Back-and-Forth Day Where Defense Ended Up on Top]]>https://www.houfootball.com/p/minicamp-kicks-off-with-back-andhttps://www.houfootball.com/p/minicamp-kicks-off-with-back-andTue, 09 Jun 2026 19:31:24 GMTThe Houston Texans had their first of three minicamp practices on Tuesday.

Here are 11 observations from the workout.

The defense added another victory to their wins over the past couple of weeks. It’s an imposing group with all the expected starters lined up. They won in a variety of ways. Easy pressure from the defensive ends. Extra pressure was sent in the front seven. They played tight coverage, making it tough for the quarterbacks to succeed. The quick passing attack worked early, but was inconsistent later in practice. There were too many passes batted down around the line of scrimmage. There are two chances for the offense to bounce back before the summer break.
C.J. Stroud had what has become his typical day. There were some nice passes from Stroud, but he still missed a few that many would expect him to make. Some of the throws were necessary because of the coverage. The offense didn’t always appear to be on the same page, especially in the red zone. The defense had success keeping Stroud and the other quarterbacks from dominating in the red zone. There were touchdowns, but not as many as defensive stops. The tight coverage led to plenty of errant throws from all the quarterbacks.
Stroud had his best play of the day in the red zone. There was some pressure off

]]><![CDATA[Texans Offense Has a Solid Day Moving the Ball Through the Air]]>https://www.houfootball.com/p/texans-offense-has-a-solid-day-movinghttps://www.houfootball.com/p/texans-offense-has-a-solid-day-movingThu, 04 Jun 2026 19:05:22 GMTThe Houston Texans had another organized team activity on Thursday. It was their third practice open to the media and the final OTA before minicamp.

Here are 11 observations from the workout.

The offense bounced back from Tuesday’s practice. They moved the ball well. The short game was good, and at times excellent. The quarterbacks made sound decisions with the football. They spread the ball around to numerous receivers. The secondary didn’t have time to make many plays. There were a few plays where pressure or a sack would’ve occurred, but it looked better overall than the last practice.
The offense was very successful in a situational team period. The offense was down seven points with just over a minute left and a timeout. C.J. Stroud and his group did well moving the ball and took their time. Stroud found running back

]]><![CDATA[C.J. Stroud Has a Down Day in Second Open OTA Workout for Texans]]>https://www.houfootball.com/p/cj-stroud-has-a-down-day-in-secondhttps://www.houfootball.com/p/cj-stroud-has-a-down-day-in-secondTue, 02 Jun 2026 19:35:06 GMTThe Houston Texans have been hard at work in organized team activities. Tuesday was their second open workout in front of the media.

Here are 11 observations from the workout.

The defense won the day. This secondary is filthy. They lock down wide receivers at all levels. They make it tough to complete passes. When there is room, there usually isn’t much. The offense had constant wins in 7-on-7 last week. Tuesday, they fought for their infrequent successes. I can’t even imagine how difficult it is to try to drop back and make a downfield throw on this secondary. The offense had success with some shorter throws.
C.J. Stroud didn’t look particularly good. The quarterback was off target on too

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]]><![CDATA[11 Observations from an Early Texans OTA Practice]]>https://www.houfootball.com/p/11-observations-from-an-early-texanshttps://www.houfootball.com/p/11-observations-from-an-early-texansThu, 28 May 2026 19:17:30 GMTThe Houston Texans allowed the media to observe their second organized team activity practice on Thursday.

Here are 11 observations from the workout.

DeMeco Ryans said the team is ahead of where they were last year. Despite his usual insistence that they start over, he said he observed the offense and defense as in a “much better place” than a year ago. The offense and defense each had standout moments during the practice. The offense was better in 7-on-7, but the defense was better in full team moments.
C.J. Stroud threw an interception at the start of the first team portion. Jalen Pitre stepped in front of a pass over the middle. It was among the only mistakes from Stroud. He was surgical in 7-on-7, fitting the ball into tight windows, mostly to Dalton Schultz, and finding the little space afforded to him by the defense. He dumped the ball off to the running backs a few times. A few plays went nowhere because the defense shut them down. Stroud had good accuracy on the throws. We didn’t get to see him uncork anything deep.

]]><![CDATA[The Texans Handed Out an Unnecessary Bonus for Nico Collins]]>https://www.houfootball.com/p/the-texans-handed-out-an-unnecessaryhttps://www.houfootball.com/p/the-texans-handed-out-an-unnecessaryWed, 27 May 2026 19:01:36 GMTThe Houston Texans gave wide receiver Nico Collins a bonus this week. Already under contract for the next two seasons, the Texans added $17 million to the deal. No additional years were negotiated. Collins is still scheduled to become a free agent in 2028.

Why?

This served no benefit for the Texans. Only Collins benefited from the cash. The Texans are not a better football team because Collins received more money.

He was under contract for the next two seasons at a perfectly reasonable deal. The Texans signed Collins to a three-year extension after just one season of success. He was excellent in 2023. It was also the only year of success to that point, and Collins still missed games and left others early.

It wasn’t a market-setting deal like a lot of players signed, but Collins had only showcased one year of success. Collins will miss games. He has never played a full season for the Texans. It was a perfectly worthwhile investment. Collins went to the table with one excellent year, and the Texans got built-in security for a player who misses time.

It was a win-win deal that didn’t need adjusting.

Collins hasn’t replicated his 2023 breakout. Almost every per-game metric from the past two seasons is lower when compared to the stellar 2023 season. Sure, the quarterback play has been shakier. The offensive systems have been sketchy. That should be factored in, but even with those, Collins hasn’t outperformed the season that got him paid.

He also missed time. During the 2024 season, he missed five games. Three of those games are easily argued as potential victories if Collins is available. In 2025, concussions caused Collins to miss time. He left the loss against the Seattle Seahawks with a concussion and missed the following week against the San Francisco 49ers. Collins would leave the playoff victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers with another concussion. He would miss the playoff game against the New England Patriots.

Yes, other contracts have blown past the deal Collins had. That isn’t a reason to hand money to a player. If these extra dollars came within a negotiation that added a year, it would be easier to understand.

General manager Nick Caserio paid a player bonus money with no benefit to the Texans. Would Collins have been a malcontent? It’s a hypothetical worth pondering, but was he going to make a mockery of the team and do a workout on his driveway like Terrell Owens did when he wanted a new contract? Part of the appeal of Collins has been his lack of diva wideout tendencies.

Was it too much, if he wanted more money, to ask him to play more than one year of his extension? It would seem so.

The Texans have been generous with money. Derek Stingley Jr. blew past the highest-paid cornerback in his rookie extension. Will Anderson Jr. flew past the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league. Danielle Hunter and Dalton Schultz received favorable contracts, but those came with additional time with the team.

The downside isn’t massive, yet. Could this money have been used this year and next year to add a key depth piece for a team trying to make a run to the Super Bowl? Absolutely. The Texans will have to navigate that element and need some luck at certain depth spots ahead of this season.

It’s the change in how the team handles business that could become costly.

Caserio created another expensive precedent for how the team operates. Not only are they financially generous when a player is nearing the end of their deal, but the team now allows players who have played to the value of their contract to ask for a raise with no benefit to the team.

This was great for Collins and his team. They negotiated a risk-free bonus and still hit free agency before Collins is 30. The Texans ripped up their well-negotiated deal with Collins for a reason not clear to people outside the building.

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OTA Questions

The Houston Texans begin organized team activities this week. Here are four questions that should get answered in the coming weeks.

]]><![CDATA[How Unique is C.J. Stroud's Contract Situation Among First Round Quarterbacks]]>https://www.houfootball.com/p/how-unique-is-cj-strouds-contracthttps://www.houfootball.com/p/how-unique-is-cj-strouds-contractFri, 22 May 2026 18:02:15 GMTThe Houston Texans and C.J. Stroud seem content to play out the 2026 season before either side approaches the subject of his future.

It is what they should do.

Stroud was amazing as a rookie. The 2023 season was one of the best seasons ever by a first-year quarterback. With high expectations in 2024, Stroud failed to live up to the hype. It wasn’t all his own doing, but what he was in control of wasn’t good enough. Last year was a little better for Stroud, but the ending soured any positives. It wasn’t good enough to make him one of the highest-paid quarterbacks.

He enters 2026 in a make-or-break situation with the Texans. The team’s remaining commitment to him after this season is the fifth-year option.

No massive extension is coming Stroud’s way soon. That’s been the norm for a few seasons at quarterback, though. Stroud is not alone. His fellow quarterbacks from his draft class aren’t cashing in either. Bryce Young enters a make-or-break season just like Stroud. Anthony Richardson is no longer the starter for the Indianapolis Colts. He requested a trade this offseason.

Between the 2016 and 2023 NFL Drafts, 27 quarterbacks were selected in the first round. Of those 27 quarterbacks, 14 didn’t receive a contract extension, including Stroud, Young, and Richardson. The last quarterback selected in the first round to be extended by his team was Trevor Lawrence, who was drafted first in 2021. Eight straight quarterbacks have failed to be extended after being first-round picks.

]]><![CDATA[The Good and Bad of Every Game on the 2026 NFL Schedule for the Houston Texans]]>https://www.houfootball.com/p/the-good-and-bad-of-every-game-onhttps://www.houfootball.com/p/the-good-and-bad-of-every-game-onFri, 15 May 2026 17:01:33 GMTThe schedule is out for the Houston Texans. They have four primetime games, a trip to London, and a holiday game in primetime. It’s not a gauntlet, but it’s no gift either.

A slow start similar to last season would put the Texans in a bad spot. Opposing defenses shouldn’t be too tough, so hopefully the offense gets off to a good start. The four road games in the final six games are difficult to navigate while fighting for AFC seeding.

Here is the good and bad of every game on the schedule.

Week 1 vs Buffalo Bills

Good: The Buffalo defense isn’t that tough. DeMeco Ryans has had a lot of success against Josh Allen at home. Defenses are usually ahead of offenses.

Bad: Josh Allen isn’t having three straight awful games against the Texans, right? Surely a new head coach, though Joe Brady has been there the past two seasons, and a full offseason, have the Bills more ready for this matchup than in the past years. Buffalo should be healthy for this one. They’ve been banged up in recent trips to Houston. D.J. Moore was a nice addition for them and should help their offense.

Week 2 vs Cincinnati Bengals

Good: The Bengals might have added Dexter Lawrence, but they still stink on defense. Lawrence is excellent, but he doesn’t fix their problems. Defenses should still be ahead of offenses this early in the year. Zac Taylor hasn’t had much success against DeMeco Ryans. The Bengals still have an unimpressive offensive line.

Bad: Joe Burrow and his weapons on offense are nasty. This is one of the better opponents from an offensive talent standpoint on the entire schedule. It’s also quite the challenge for the defense in back-to-back weeks.

Week 3 at Indianapolis Colts

Good: Daniel Jones should still be reeling from his injuries last year. The defense, which has had big changes, might still be coming together. DeMeco Ryans is on a win streak against the Colts.

Bad: Jonathan Taylor is still very dangerous. There is still a little juice to the defensive line for the Colts. They might be able to get a little heat on C.J. Stroud.

Week 4 vs Dallas Cowboys

]]><![CDATA[Seven Observations from Texans Rookie Minicamp]]>https://www.houfootball.com/p/seven-observations-from-texans-rookiehttps://www.houfootball.com/p/seven-observations-from-texans-rookieFri, 08 May 2026 19:30:06 GMTThe Houston Texans held a rookie minicamp open to the media on Friday. It was a light workout in light rain for the drafted rookies, undrafted free agents, and a handful of tryout players.

Here are seven observations from the workout.

Rookie offensive lineman Keylan Rutledge is all business. While he waited for his media availability, he was practicing pass sets outside the media tent. Rutledge and three other linemen spent a lot of time working on technique with offensive line coach Cole Popovich. Rutledge stressed that his technique was key to his success and noted he wouldn’t be overpowering NFL players like the college players he sometimes overpowered. He wouldn’t list individual goals. He noted he is aware he arrives at the bottom of the totem pole, so he has to show his veteran teammates what he is about as a player. He continued to say he is comfortable making the move to center. I didn’t observe many clean snaps when he was snapping the ball in shotgun. His potential move to center is a work in progress. Rutledge said from the mental side of the position, he wanted to understand what every lineman was expected to do on every play. That will be important if he gets opportunities to play center. Rutledge played primarily right guard in college but should get opportunities at all three interior positions.

]]><![CDATA[Rookie Minicamp Preview: First Impressions Near as Minicamp Arrives]]>https://www.houfootball.com/p/rookie-minicamp-preview-first-impressionshttps://www.houfootball.com/p/rookie-minicamp-preview-first-impressionsFri, 08 May 2026 01:00:56 GMTThe Houston Texans have their lone open practice of the rookie minicamp tomorrow. Keylan Rutledge, Kayden McDonald, and their fellow draft classmates will take the field to start their NFL careers. The minicamp provides first impressions of players, but shouldn’t be taken too far in either a positive or negative direction.

All eyes will be on Rutledge. The career right guard has said he’s comfortable playing center. General manager Nick Caserio has played coy about Rutledge’s position. The rookies do a lot of drill-specific work during minicamp. Rutledge snapping the football would indicate that he is set to enter the battle at center. Jake Andrews, Evan Brown, Jarrett Patterson, Eli Cox, and fellow rookie Febechi Nwaiwu are among the possible contenders at center.

McDonald will hopefully stand out. Last year, Aireontae Ersery wowed with his size when he hit the field. McDonald is a unique player who, hopefully, will strike a similar presence to Ersery.

Tight end Marlin Klein is the type of specimen that can wow in a workout like this. Klein is every bit his 6’6”, 250-plus pounds. There aren’t any amazing pass catchers set to be on the field with him. If Klein glides and showcases some of the potential the Texans bet on, it will start the path to easing the overdrafted slot many, myself included, believe he occupied.

The rookie linebackers will always be compared to each other. Wade Woodaz and Aiden Fisher will try to both be successful for the Texans. Fisher’s team's success and playing in some huge games present a similar situation to a few years ago. Juice Scruggs was drafted higher, but Patterson was the better player. Hopefully, there is a role for both Fisher and Woodaz. They face a crowded battle when they integrate with the veterans at linebacker.

Kamari Ramsey and Lewis Bond have depth opportunities on this roster. Ramsey might get a chance to back up Jalen Pitre at this nickel spot, but he will need to showcase the athleticism that was a part of the profile of a draft pick steal. Bond needs to show all the athleticism and maybe surprise with some speed. There will be other pass catchers there. If he looks slow, it will show. If he looks quick out of his routes, his familiarity with this system will serve him well.

There’s plenty to glean from a light workout. Nothing should be written in stone, but don’t be afraid to start taking notes with a pencil. Just have the eraser handy.

Seven Undrafted Free Agents With a Shot at a Roster Spot

]]><![CDATA[How the Houston Texans Drafts Stack Up When You Focus on Value]]>https://www.houfootball.com/p/how-the-houston-texans-drafts-stackhttps://www.houfootball.com/p/how-the-houston-texans-drafts-stackFri, 01 May 2026 02:00:57 GMTThe Houston Texans were one of many teams accused of reaching for a particular prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. Nick Caserio and DeMeco Ryans don’t care. They drafted the players they wanted. Their big board is the only one that matters to their team.

But how does it compare to the masses?

Each year, draft analysts create their own big board based on information they collect on prospects. A change in the availability of game footage has allowed people outside NFL buildings to assess players like a scout or general manager would. Of course, teams have a multitude of advantages in learning about the player as a person, where most draft prognosticators only watch a player’s football performance. Teams also have a scheme they are beholden to draft for when considering a prospect. Those things should account for some ranking differences.

What does the consensus big board tell us about the Texans? Arif Hasan creates his Top 300 Big Board each year. He compiles the big boards of over 100 draft analysts to create his consensus big board. I used those rankings to compare where the Texans selected their players compared to the consensus big board rankings.

Here are the results.

The 2026 NFL Draft

The consensus board hated this draft from Nick Caserio. A few spots difference is negligible, but there are huge overdrafts when comparing the board from the Texans to hundreds of draft analysts.

This is raw data without the context of the draft. Rutledge was rumored to be sought after by the San Francisco 49ers and Tennessee Titans in the first round. If you believe the rumors, two teams would’ve selected him close to where the Texans selected him.

Marlin Klein is a selection with a similar caveat. Teams seemed to overvalue tight ends who were blocking-forward, leading to a worthwhile guess that Klein might not have been an overdraft of nearly 100 spots.

Plenty of people agreed with the notion that the selections of Ramsey and Fisher were value picks, though hard to approach either as a “steal” selection being so late in the draft. None of these players has played a snap, so the projections carry more weight than any other draft.

Total Difference From the Consensus Big Board: -285

The 2025 NFL Draft

This draft obviously has a little more context because these players have seen the field. Injuries drastically affected two selections, with Jaylin Smith and Jaylen Reed missing time.

Smith will be interesting because he’s the biggest overdraft by Caserio compared to the consensus big board in the top three rounds. The actions of the Texans haven’t eliminated Smith’s chances of being the top backup at outside cornerback.

Higgins was rumored to be highly sought after, so a few spots didn’t matter for him. Plus, the Texans had extra assets via the trade back. No wide receiver drafted after Higgins had more yards than him. Despite his limited production, Noel outperformed three players who were considered reaches ahead of him.

Mertz and Hamilton were not ranked in the top 300, so they could be even worse value than the board indicates. Neither played in 2025, but Hamilton missed because of injury. They’re also late-round selections, so any failures there should be adjusted in perception.

The Texans seem to have nailed the Marks selection. 16 running backs were drafted after Marks, and only two had more rushing yards than him. Neither of those two backs was drafted before his consensus big board spot of 196.

Total Difference From the Consensus Big Board: -280

The 2024 NFL Draft

]]><![CDATA[How the 2026 Houston Texans Draft Class Fits This Upcoming Season]]>https://www.houfootball.com/p/how-the-2026-houston-texans-drafthttps://www.houfootball.com/p/how-the-2026-houston-texans-draftTue, 28 Apr 2026 17:30:49 GMTThe 2026 NFL Draft is done. The Houston Texans added eight players over the three days of the NFL Draft.

How do they fit the current roster? Let’s dive in.

26th Overall - OL - Keylan Rutledge - Georgia Tech

The top pick for the Houston Texans, and their first selection in the first round since Will Andersion Jr., doesn’t have a defined role. Rutledge is a mauler who played almost every snap at right guard in college. The Texans brought veteran Ed Ingram back on a massive multi-year contract to play right guard. The team added veteran Wyatt Teller to play left guard.

Beating out those two veterans isn’t impossible. Aireontae Ersery beat out Cam Robinson last season to be the team’s starting left tackle. Robinson might have been an easier foe than Teller or Ingram at this point in their careers. Another position presents a different set of challenges.

The Texans need better production from their center in 2026. Rutledge didn’t play center, but he was the emergency center for Georgia Tech, and he spent the offseason working on snapping the football. While he might have a physical advantage over all the other center candidates, they possess vastly more experience.

Jake Andrews played center for the Texans last season. Jarrett Patterson has played center for multiple seasons in the NFL. Evan Brown previously played center in his NFL career. Eli Cox played center at Kentucky.

Rutledge has competition wherever the team intends for him to land. He said last week he isn’t afraid to compete for his spot.

36th Overall - DT - Kayden McDonald - Ohio State

It’s quite the win for the Texans to add what many believe is the best defensive tackle in the draft. McDonald mentioned the team told him they thought highly of him. General manager Nick Caserio reinforced their belief in McDonald’s place within this draft class.

While there are experienced veterans in his position, McDonald possesses the size and run-stuffing ability that his new teammates don’t. He is an early-down player until his pass rush moves develop. DeMeco Ryans spoke about his ability with an excitement that indicated he has more pass-rush prowess than he showed in college. McDonald might end up being a steal for the league’s best defense.

As a bonus, for a team trying to get better at running the football, McDonald presents an excellent test case for improving the rushing attack.

59th Overall - TE - Marlin Klein - Michigan

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]]><![CDATA[Texans Thrill With McDonald and Create Confusion With Klein Selections]]>https://www.houfootball.com/p/texans-thrill-with-mcdonald-and-createhttps://www.houfootball.com/p/texans-thrill-with-mcdonald-and-createSat, 25 Apr 2026 13:03:05 GMTThe Houston Texans made two selections on day two of the 2026 NFL Draft. They traded up to select defensive tackle Kayden McDonald with the 36th overall pick. The Texans would select Michigan tight end Marlin Klein with the 59th overall pick.

Something the Defense Didn’t Have

Kayden McDonald’s skill set is one of the only things the Houston Texans didn’t have on their elite defense. DeMeco Ryans has a unit flush with talent, but nobody quite like the 6’2” 330-pounder from Ohio State. The body type is different from the rest of the defensive line room.

He is a run-stuffing machine. McDonald punishes opposing rushing attacks with his power, size, and anticipation. He finished his 2025 season with 65 tackles, nine tackles for loss, and three sacks. McDonald rotated, so it is impressive that his tackle numbers are near those of standout teammates Arvell Reece and Caleb Downs.

“You know, we felt McDonald was probably the best run defender in the draft,” general manager Nick Caserio said. “Had a really productive season. Defensive tackle that was involved in 60 tackles or 60-plus tackles, whatever it is. It’s pretty impressive. The first unanimous defensive tackle, unanimous All-American defensive tackle in history in Ohio State’s program.”

Caserio said he leaned on relationships he had in the building at Ohio State, including former New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, to round out their understanding of McDonald. The feedback from the relationships confirmed how the Texans felt about their newest defensive addition.

The trade-up for McDonald was negligible for Caserio, but he undersold his maneuvering. He was nonchalant about the move that dropped the Texans 26 spots, from the back of the third round to the third round. He couched it as what they felt they needed to get the player they desired. He said, “You’re not really doing anything,” but he was wrong.

]]><![CDATA[Trade for Keylan Rutledge Starts Important Draft for the Houston Texans]]>https://www.houfootball.com/p/trade-for-keylan-rutledge-startshttps://www.houfootball.com/p/trade-for-keylan-rutledge-startsFri, 24 Apr 2026 12:03:32 GMTThe Houston Texans traded up two spots in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft to select offensive lineman Keylan Rutledge with the 26th overall pick. Rutledge was a two-year starter at right guard for Georgia Tech after beginning his college career at Middle Tennessee.

“The makeup on this guy is elite,” general manager Nick Caserio said. “A couple of the metrics that we have when we grade players, in four or five categories, there was one player in the draft that our scouts graded the way that they did, and it was him. That was, we didn’t talk to him at the combine because we didn’t need to. We might have even interviewed him at the Senior Bowl, but we didn’t need to.”

Rutledge said his goal is to be tough, relentless, and “punch people in the face” as an offensive lineman.

Rutledge is a career right guard who has been working to add the ability to play center to his game. He worked out at center during the Senior Bowl practices this year. Rutledge was one of the standouts at the All-Star Game, especially on day one. Houston Texans offensive line coach Cole Popovich observed day one of the practices in person. Rutledge was asked to tone down some of his aggressiveness in the drills. Numerous linemen took offense to his physicality.

He said, “I’m so comfortable” at center because his college coach, Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key, said he expected Rutledge would be asked to play all the inside line positions. Rutledge served at the team’s emergency center.

Caserio stopped short of putting a position next to Rutledge’s name.

“We’ll see how it goes,” he said. “Where is he going to play? We’ll see. Nobody knows. We’ll figure that out as we go.”

He didn’t rule out time at center for the newest Texan.

“If a guy can put his hand on the ball, then okay, what does that look like, then the communication that’s involved with it,” he said. “Again, when a player walks in the building, we’ll put things on his plate, see what they can handle and see how quickly they can adapt and adjust to what we’re asking them to do.”

The Texans traded up two spots in the first round. It wasn’t a cheap move. Houston dropped 22 spots in the third round and sent a fifth-rounder over to the Bills. Buffalo made out like bandits. The original spot, 28th overall, might have been a little rich for the selection. The San Francisco 49ers moved back from the 27th pick after the Texans moved up. It’s possible the 49ers were interested in Rutledge.

It’s worth wondering whether last year’s draft results, in which numerous offensive linemen came off the board before the Texans were on the clock, played a role in Caserio’s aggressiveness.

Rutledge will have a hard time justifying his draft slot if he isn’t competing at center.

]]><![CDATA[With the 28th Pick in the 2026 NFL Draft the Houston Texans Select...]]>https://www.houfootball.com/p/with-the-28th-pick-in-the-2026-nflhttps://www.houfootball.com/p/with-the-28th-pick-in-the-2026-nflThu, 23 Apr 2026 19:01:39 GMTCongratulations are in order. We made it to the marquee event of the offseason. The 2026 NFL Draft is here. The Houston Texans are currently slated to make eight selections in this year’s draft. That number and where they pick will change. General manager Nick Caserio loves a trade.

Who will the Texans select with the 28th overall pick?

The shopping list is varied, with nothing sticking out as a need compared to previous years. Combining the expected availability of prospects and what the Texans could use, the trenches seem like a safe bet.

Defensive end should be the priority, but defensive tackle is a worthwhile investment. There should be a draftable defensive tackle that can affect the rotation right away, all the way through the middle point of the draft. Of course, there are reps at defensive end as well with the rotation DeMeco Ryans uses on his defense.

The offensive line doesn’t rotate, and so there aren’t reps available. The rookie would be a backup with a chance to play when there are injuries. Tackle availability might make it the move, but a guard isn’t out of the question. Those wanting a center need to wait for day two.

So, who will it be? Here’s my guess.

]]><![CDATA[If the Texans Trade on Day One What Direction Should They Be Headed?]]>https://www.houfootball.com/p/if-the-texans-trade-on-day-one-whathttps://www.houfootball.com/p/if-the-texans-trade-on-day-one-whatWed, 22 Apr 2026 20:01:12 GMTWith the first round of the NFL Draft just a day away, the rumor mill is firing up. Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio has often referred to the pre-draft stretch as “silly season,” and this year, he might be right.

It feels like many teams want to move down, a few teams want to move up, and nobody wants to pay market value to move around. Various reports have linked the Arizona Cardinals (3rd overall), the Tennessee Titans (4th overall), and the Cleveland Browns (6th and 24th overall) as teams that would like to move back. The New York Giants (5th and 10th overall), Kansas City Chiefs (9th and 29th overall), and Los Angeles Rams (13th overall) might want to move up. You want silly? The Dallas Cowboys are rumored to want to move up from 12th overall and down from 20th overall!

The chaos might present a spot where the Texans could take advantage.

Trading up would be tedious, but it shouldn’t be out of the question. The Texans enter this year’s draft with additional draft capital via the Laremy Tunsil trade. Their own selection in the third round was traded a year ago, but they have New York’s selection from last year's trade-back. Houston has no additional draft picks in 2027 and has already dealt their fifth-round selection in next year’s draft.

Who is worthy of chasing in a deal to move up in the first round?

There aren’t many players that should interest Houston in a trade-up, but let’s start with the best player at his position.

Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq should be a target if the Texans intend to trade up. He’s the top tight end in this class. There were high expectations for Sadiq in 2025. He fulfilled those expectations. Among tight ends, Sadiq finished eighth in receiving yards and led the position with eight touchdown catches. He’s an excellent athlete. Despite his less-than-ideal size for the position, he doesn’t shy away from blocking.

It shouldn’t be a big move up, but Sadiq could help the tight end situation in Houston right away.

What about a player who could be the best at his position? Utah offensive lineman Spencer Fano is another player who should be on Houston’s radar if he starts to slip. Fano was a monster in college. He’s an excellent athlete with good size. He played right tackle over the past two seasons and can lock down that position. Many believe he could play guard. Houston should be interested in him as an interior player.

Fano surprised everyone at the NFL Scouting Combine when he decided to participate in drills at center. It’s not a position he has played, nor is guard, but Fano’s skills and size would easily make him the most intriguing center in the draft. If that experiment didn’t work out, the Texans would still have a useful guard or eventual starter at right tackle on their hands. He’d require a trade into the mid-teens. It would be a substantial investment in the offensive line.

That should be about it when it comes to moving up for the Texans. Sure, a small move of a couple of spots for a defensive lineman they love would make sense. That’s a cheaper move than going up the order to get Sadiq or Fano.

Trading back is a far more attractive option.

Caserio did it last year, and if the draft falls a particular way, he should have the chance to do it this year. The New York Jets (33rd overall) and Cardinals (34th overall) sit at the top of the second round. Both could draft Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. The Jets seem less likely, but maybe they’d like to come up for a position they ignored with their first two selections. The Cardinals and Texans have done business before. Houston traded with Arizona to select Will Anderson. Arizona’s general manager, Monti Ossenfort, also worked with Caserio in New England.

While it is hard to find the team, dropping back even further would work as well. The Texans could add draft picks in 2027 if they were moving far enough. Having the 38th overall selection eases the pain of waiting for your selection to show up. Houston’s recent success on day two should excite fans if Caserio can add more selections for Friday.

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Texans Draft Facts

The Texans have selected nine players in four consecutive drafts
Nick Caserio has selected one player who did not attend a Power 5 (Now Power 4) school. That player is Tank Dell, and the University of Houston is now in the Big 12.
The Texans have never selected a player at 28th overall in franchise history. DeAndre Hopkins was selected 27th overall in 2013. Jason Babin was the 27th overall selection by the Texans in 2004. Whitney Mercilus was the 26th overall selection in 2012. Duane Brown was the 26th overall selection in 2008.
The entire 2025 draft class was selected by a pick acquired via trade.
The Texans have never drafted a running back or a tight end in the first round. They have used one selection on each position in the second round. Running back Ben Tate was drafted in 2010. Tight end Bennie Joppru was drafted in 2003.
The Texans have never drafted a punter.
2020 was the last time a player was drafted 28th overall who made the Pro Bowl. The Baltimore Ravens selected Patrick Queen that year.
Two years ago, the Texans selected Blake Fisher with the 59th overall pick. They currently possess the 59th overall pick.
Tank Dell was the 69th overall pick in 2023. The Texans currently possess the 69th overall pick.
Henry To’oTo’o was the 167th overall pick in 2023. The Texans currently possess the 167th overall pick.
Nick Caserio has made 18 draft-day trades during the past three drafts. Five of those trades have been with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Nick Caserio has drafted four players from Alabama and four players from USC. That is tied for the most from one school in his tenure.
The Texans have made 22 selections in the first round. The most recent one was Will Anderson Jr. in 2023.
The Texans have drafted more players in the sixth round, 36 total, than any other round.

]]><![CDATA[Houston Texans Mock Draft Days Away from the NFL Draft]]>https://www.houfootball.com/p/houston-texans-mock-draft-days-awayhttps://www.houfootball.com/p/houston-texans-mock-draft-days-awayTue, 21 Apr 2026 13:02:19 GMTThe Houston Texans are slated to pick 28th overall in the first round. My preference would be to trade back, but it’s hard to predict that without knowing whether a quarterback will be there at 28th overall. Looking at where the Texans pick, I don’t feel it is crazy to think they move from the top of the fourth round into the back of the third round either.

Their needs list has transformed into more of a shopping list. There were clear paths for rookies to start last year. Rookie opportunities should be limited to depth contributions if the offseason additions and health hold up. Still, the long-term upside and the chance to affect the team in 2026 are the goals.

Here is a mock draft that achieves those things.

28th Overall - DE Ahkeem Mesidor, Miami

I love the idea of Mesidor on the Texans. He is one of the few edge players with the upside to take over Danielle Hunter’s spot when Hunter is inevitably priced out of this roster. Mesidor is an older prospect, but he’s still growing as a pass rusher. He’s only played a couple of seasons on the edge after playing on the inside of the defensive line. He might be a little light on his ability to stop the run, but when you’re thinking about drafting this player, you are drafting him to rush the passer. Find the run stuffing elsewhere. Mesidor has a wide range. He should be in the vicinity of when the Texans pick, but it won’t be surprising to see him get called well before Houston is on the clock.

]]><![CDATA[Finding a Defensive Tackle in Every Round for the Texans]]>https://www.houfootball.com/p/finding-a-defensive-tackle-in-everyhttps://www.houfootball.com/p/finding-a-defensive-tackle-in-everyWed, 15 Apr 2026 19:10:46 GMTThe Houston Texans have options at defensive tackle, but they can always add more. The offseason plan to fill out the room has been executed well by general manager Nick Caserio.

Sheldon Rankins and Tommy Togiai are starters who return from last year. Logan Hall will help the Texans at defensive tackle. Veteran Naquan Jones played well as a fill-in last year and has a chance to make the team. Last year’s rookies, Kyonte Hamilton and Junior Tafuna, are still around.

If DeMeco Ryans wanted to make a further investment in his defensive interior, there are options. The Texans aren’t afraid to add competition.

Yeah, that's the balance. Again, if we just stick to, let's get the players that we feel fit our profile and get them in the building. We can't ever have a shortage of whatever. At some point, if we have to make a decision to either, A, insert that player at the expense of another player, or, B, move on from another player. That's the cost of doing business. Again, it's a delicate balance of you draft this player but maybe there's three or four other guys already at that position. What does that mean? I don't know, maybe it means one thing this year but it could potentially mean one thing next year. But you don't really know that. Get the right players with the right mentality with the right mindset, create as much competition as possible.

-Nick Caserio on adding players behind established NFLers

Here is a defensive tackle for the Texans in every round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

First Round: Kayden McDonald, Ohio State

McDonald is a run-stuffing wizard. He is big and mean. He is a force to be reckoned with on first and second down. In passing situations, well, did I mention how good he is on first down and second down? Jokes aside, the ferocity on early downs against the run is absolutely useful for the Texans, who haven’t had a player quite like McDonald in the time that DeMeco Ryans has been the coach.

He rotated at Ohio State and will rotate with the Texans. McDonald was a one-year starter as well, so there is hope that there is still growth in his game. He had a few pass-rush moments, but there needs to be growth there if he intends to be on the field for all three downs. He should be available, but it wouldn’t be shocking to see him slip off the board before the 28th pick.

Second Round: Christen Miller, Georgia

]]><![CDATA[Picked Up Options a Formality, But Set Future for Stroud and Anderson]]>https://www.houfootball.com/p/picked-up-options-a-formality-buthttps://www.houfootball.com/p/picked-up-options-a-formality-butWed, 08 Apr 2026 19:01:39 GMTThe Houston Texans have picked up the fifth-year options for quarterback C.J. Stroud and defensive end Will Anderson Jr. Both players are now under contract through the 2027 season.

Stroud is due to make nearly $26 million in 2027. Anderson will make just over $21.5 million.

The number for Anderson is less important. He will likely become the highest-paid defensive player in football by average annual value when he signs an extension this offseason.

Stroud’s number is dubious depending on his 2026 season. A successful season for Stroud means he would be one of the NFL’s best bargains. Starting caliber quarterback play at that number would be a steal for the Texans.

Success from Stroud would likely come with a request, perhaps a demand, for a new deal. He’d be well within his rights, and the money would arrive quickly after the option year. The Texans would be happy to pay it if Stroud turned into a consistently good quarterback.

Failure in 2026 presents a troubling spot for the Texans.

If Stroud plays poorly or doesn’t improve enough, Houston will need to move on. They’d be a prime candidate for a veteran who hits free agency, something similar to Sam Darnold. The Texans could dip into what should be a loaded 2027 draft class, but that might not be the best way to maximize the defense’s window. Recreating a deal similar to when Matt Stafford was traded for Jared Goff would be intriguing. Stroud, of course, would be Goff, but finding a worthwhile quarterback to play Stafford’s role is hard to do right now.

The $26 million is fully guaranteed, and a quarterback who couldn’t get it done would be an anchor at that number. An anchor the Texans would need to unload.

There’s plenty of optimism for Stroud. He wasn’t bad all of last season, though underwhelming is an apt description. Head coach DeMeco Ryans proclaimed this offseason to be the first one for Stroud to maximize his progress. The quarterback has already spent time with a new and elite quarterback coach connected to Stafford and other standout quarterbacks.

The team should be better around him. The Texans invested in the offensive line, and Ryans said to expect more players to be added there. The rushing attack feels much more solidified than the runners the team finished the season with in 2025. The offensive system is unchanged. A new quarterback coach should help progress deeper into the system.

Anderson’s accountant was already making plans for his big deal. Now Stroud can plan for his big payday in 2027. It just remains to be seen if the Texans are the ones paying it.

28th Overall Big Board

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