Mock Draft Monday

Plus, would this impact defender make sense via trade?

The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off in just over two weeks.

The Houston Texans are scheduled to have eight selections, with four in the top 69 picks. Nick Caserio has left the last four drafts with nine players. He hasn’t made a selection in the first round since the team selected Will Anderson Jr. in 2023.

The offseason to this point has limited the opportunity for starting reps. A year ago, there were paths to starting spots and openings on the two-deep. Most draft picks this year will need to fight for a key depth spot.

Now for the mock draft.

28th Overall - DT Caleb Banks, Florida

I have a hard time seeing Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald making it to 28th overall. If McDonald makes it, he would be selected here. I don’t see it, so I move to a riskier prospect with a higher ceiling, a player with greater risk. Banks would easily be the top defensive tackle in this draft if he were healthy. He missed most of the 2025 season with a foot injury. Banks ended his workout at the NFL Combine early due to another foot injury.