It’s one week until the 2026 NFL Draft, which means the questions and curiosity surrounding who the Texans might draft 28th overall. Although…the Texans don’t really like drafting in the first round, so they? In the five and soon to be six drafts that I’ve covered on Battle Red Blog, the Texans have only drafted in the first round four times total, coming in pairs in 2022 and 2023. Besides those selections, Houston has taken a rain check on the first night of the NFL Draft. Be it alluring draft assets
recouped after trading the top pick or a morbid determination to be always deal-making, general manager Nick Caserio seems to be always motivated to get out of the first round, and for the most part, it’s worked out for the Texans. Many of Houston’s best players are mid-round selections that developed into starters over time, and considering how many solid defenders the front office have found in the middle rounds, I like their chances of finding another in 2026.
But who could it be? Could they target the defensive backfield yet again, filling in the holes left by M.J. Stewart and C.J. Gardner-Johnson? Will they look for the heir-apparent to LB Azeez Al-Shaair? Both are very possible, but if I were a betting man, I’d say the Texans are going to be most interested in finding a starting-caliber defensive tackle. They re-signed DT Sheldon Rankins but lost DT Tim Settle to the Washington Commanders in free agency, and even though DT Tommy Togiai was an underrated star for the Texans towards the end of last season, a defender with more run-stopping prowess is something that could send Houston’s defense to historic levels of dominance. Luckily for them, there’s a healthy selection of quality defensive lineman at every level of this draft, all the way from the first round to the seventh. In this list, I haven’t compiled the five best DTs overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, but my personal favorite DTs that I believe could be immediate impact players for the Texans, if not starters. There’s a couple top-50 picks in this list that I’m smitten over, but I’ve also thrown in players I expect to be available on day two and day three of the draft. So, without further ado, here’s my top five DT prospects for the Houston Texans:
Honorable Mentions: DT Caleb Banks, Florida; DT Landon Robinson, Navy; DT Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
5. Kaleb Proctor, Southeastern Louisiana
- Measurements: Height: 6’ 1 ⅞”; Weight: 291 lbs.; Arm: 33”; Hand: 9 ½”; 40-Yard Dash: 4.79s; 10-Yard Split: 1.68s; Vertical Jump: 33”; Broad Jump: 9’ 5”
- 2025 Stats: 13 Games (13 Starts); 43 Tackles; 13 TFLs; 9.0 Sacks; 2 PDs; Southland Conference Player of the Year
- 2024 Stats: 12 Games (12 Starts); 49 Tackles; 4.5 Sacks; 6 TFLs; 2nd-team All-Southland
- Draft Range: Rounds 4-6
From the gilded halls of Ohio State to the FCS locker rooms of the SLU Lions, this draft is just chock-full of intriguing DTs. If you’re looking for the most athletic among them all, look no further than Kaleb Proctor. Proctor’s impressive game against LSU during the 2025 season got his name on the radar, his Shrine Bowl performance got even more eyes on him, and then his combine performance – including a 4.79s 40-Yard dash – made him a draft sleeper to look out for. Proctor has the stats, the tape highlights, and the measurements to put him in rarified air in FCS circles, and will likely be drafted at the beginning of day three.
Everything on his tape has to be taken with a grain of salt considering the level of talent he was facing, but Proctor has an impressively deep bag of tricks that he employs when pressuring opposing linemen, including a sudden first step and great acceleration. He’s not going to be able to bull-rush NFL linemen, but he has enough lower body strength to be a nuisance in one-on-one situations, and the potential of added strength could really turn him into a day three steal. His impressive combine doesn’t extend to his size, unfortunately, so he won’t be clogging rushing lanes, but he does fit the mold of rotational 3-technique interior pass rusher. His greatest strengths are his abilities to hurry through the pocket with club/swim moves and his first-step, so he’d best function on a defense that just seems some extra juice up the middle to add the cherry on top of their defense. Doesn’t that sound that an attractive player to the Texans? If anything, his impressive pass-rushing abilities for a small-school DT is at least worth a 4th-round pick.
4. DT DeMonte Capehart, Clemson
- Measurements: Age: 24; Height: 6’ 5”; Weight: 315 lbs.; 40-Yard Dash: 4.85s; 10-Yard Split: 1.71s; Vertical Jump: 33.5”; Broad Jump: 8’ 11”
- 2025 Stats: 12 Games (12 Starts); 21 Tackles; 1.0 Sack; 3.0 TFLs; 2 PDs; 71.2 PFF Grade (74.5 Rdef, 53.4 Tack, 61.9 Prsh, 60.0 Cov)
- 2024 Stats: 11 Games (11 Starts); 21 Tackles; 1.5 TFLs; 2 PDs; 70.5 PFF Grade (76.5 Rdef. 80.8 Tack, 66.6 Prsh, 50.3 Cov)
- Draft Range: Rounds 3-5
Another interesting, mixed bag of a DT prospect in a class full of them, DeMonte Capehart was a six-year player for Clemson that saw his snaps grow in 2023 and then reach a peak of 347 in 2025 when he had become a starter. Many of you may have been expecting to see his teammate, DT Peter Woods, show up here, but you’ll have to read on for just a little longer! Capehart, the lesser known of the two hog mollies coming out of Clemson, made his name for being the Robin to Woods’ Batman. Although, unlike Robin, Capehart is taller, beefier, and a more tenacious rusher overall. He has a great initial burst and enough power to keep blockers on their heels, using his massive arms to clog up rushing lanes. He targets linemen with a ferocious bull rush that frequently demands double-team attention, which offers one-on-one opportunities to his teammates like Peter Woods. Pair that with his NFL Combine performance that included a 4.85s 40-yard dash and a 33.5” vertical, and it’s easy to see why some analysts love Capehart’s potential.
Although, in six years at Clemson, why hasn’t he reached his potential yet? Part of it has to do with senior teammates getting time over him, and part of it has to do with his focus on being a run-stopper, but therein lies some unrealized potential. Capehart’s arms, size, and power work together to make him a formidable defender against the run, but his pass-rush moves have always been lacking. He even admitted as much when talking with Sports Illustrated’s Justin Melo earlier this month, stating, “My mindset has been to thrive as a run stopper, but there’s definitely more to my pass-rushing ability. As I learn from different coaches, I’m going to continue adding more tools to my bag. My arsenal of moves isn’t complete. I haven’t reached my ceiling yet.”
If Capehart is able to diversify his pass-rush toolset and effectively utilize his speed, he can be a mighty addition to the Texans squad. I see his ceiling of being something like a more run-heavy Tommy Togiai, but if he’s unable to be more than just a big guy in the middle with some power, then he’ll likely end up just being a rotational lineman who comes in on special packages.
3. DT Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati
- Measurements: Age: 24; Height: 6’ 0 ½”; Weight: 340 lbs.; Arm: 31 ⅞’; Hand: 9 ½”
- 2025 Stats: 10 Games (10 Starts); 13 Tackles; 72.6 PFF Grade (80.9 Rdef; 67.8 Tack; 59.5 Prsh; 59.2 Cov); 2nd-team All-Big 12
- 2024 Stats: 11 Games (11 Starts); 26 Tackles; 2.5 Sacks; 5.0 TFLs; 73.3 PFF Grade (71.8 Rdef; 66.2 Tack; 70.7 Prsh; 61.6 Cov); 1st-team All-Big 12
- Draft Range: Rounds 6-7 or UDFA
How can you not like a guy with a name like this? Dontay Corleone, a thick and able DT that played for his hometown team in Cincinnati, made a name for himself as a thick and powerful run-defender. Even though his 6’ 1” frame may be a little surprising for a nose tackle, Corleone’s width and elite burst out of his stance makes up for it. He practically launches his torso into the center or shoots through the gap and gets his big arms up so fast you’d think he’s some sort of freak linebacker that reached his final evolution. In both 2024, he even showed real ability to rush the passer straight up the middle, striking fear into their hearts that only a Corleone could manifest.
Though, unfortunately, that pass-rushing prowess seemed to decline in 2025, as he finished the season with no sacks and only one QB hit. It also bears mentioning that Corleone does have some health concerns. In the summer of 2024, he was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism, or a type of blood clot in one of his lungs. He quickly recovered from this and was back on the field by week 2 of that season, but it was the same kind of diagnosis that Kansas City Chiefs G Trey Smith had, causing him to fall all the way to the 6th round of the 2021 draft. For Smith, those spooked by his medical profile had their dissuasions quickly proven to be overblown, and Corleone seems to be on the same track, but there is never a guarantee.
Regardless, Dontay Corleone was a rock at the center of Cincinnati’s defense for years. His explosive first step and low pad level make him a headache for any interior linemen, and his freshman and sophomore tape reveal that there’s a ceiling he has yet to reach. If anything, Corleone could function as the inevitable successor to one of the most underrated Texans of the 2020s: DT Roy Lopez.
2. DT Peter Woods, Clemson
- Measurements: Age: 21; Height: 6’ 2 ½”; Weight: 298 lbs.; Hand: 9 ⅛”; Arm: 31 ¼”; Wing: 76 ⅜”; 10-Yard Split: 1.67s; Vertical Jump: 29”; Broad Jump: 8’ 8”; 3-Cone Drill: 7.7s
- 2025 Stats: 12 Games (12 Starts); 30 Tackles; 2.0 Sacks; 3.5 TFLs; 1 PD 72.5 PFF Grade (74.2 Rdef; 55.4 Tack; 65.4 Prsh; 61.2 Cov)
- 2024 Stats: 11 Games (10 Starts); 83.7 PFF Grade (81.3 Rdef; 61.8 Tack; 74.0 Prsh; 70.4 Cov); 28 Tackles; 3.0 Sacks; 8.5 TFLs; 1 FF
- Draft Range: Rounds 1-2
Even though he is not my #1 in this ranking, Clemson’s Peter Woods is probably the most complete defensive tackle prospect in the 2026 NFL Class. First steps are pretty important along the defensive line, and Woods has one of the deadliest in the country. He’s somehow able to float around on his feet while simultaneously throwing offensive linemen to the side, combining agility and strength like few other prospects can in this draft. His base prevent him from being easily dislodged, and his ability to split double-teams is something NFL teams will certainly be attracted towards. The raw athleticism jumps off the screen, and this alone may be enough for several teams to try and draft Woods in the first round, potentially forcing the Texans into a debate of whether or not to trade up for him.
Woods is not the perfect prospect, though. Despite all of the athleticism, his shorter-than-average arm length was already hurting his ability to make plays in college, and he exposed his chest often enough for it to be a real problem. Some guards and centers are able to extinguish him once their hands are attached, and once they’ve got their hands on him, Woods has to exert a lot of energy to free himself. But even there, Woods is usually able to use his raw strength or flexibility to just shove off his opponent, and his lateral speed means he’s never really out of the play. On top of that, his frame and talent give him the versatility to play either nose tackle or the more common three-technique position, and in 2024, he even lined up as an edge rusher! So, if Peter Woods is such a great, talented prospect that everyone had their eyes on, why did his production decline in 2025?
Well…it’s complicated. The entire Clemson team collectively performed under their billing in 2025, and Woods was no exception. He faced more double-teams, more prepared guards/centers, and instead of improving his awareness or technique, Woods just kind of…stagnated. He doesn’t have a lot of developed moves in his toolset and rather just shoves his way into the mix, which won’t bode well for teams looking for an immediate starter in the NFL. He also will make risky moves along the line of scrimmage, which some teams were able to take advantage of in 2025 by rushing towards spaces he had recently vacated. Woods is certainly not a project player and is still one of the most disruptive interior defenders of this class, but his lack of improvement in 2025 is enough to give some analysts pause. For me, I will continue to be the optimist and would bet on Peter Woods to realize his potential and become a starting-caliber DT in the NFL, but the slump is real and worth mentioning.
1. DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
- Measurements: Age: 21; Height: 6’ 3”; Weight: 326 lbs.; Arm: 32 ¼”; Hand: 9 ¾”
- 2025 Stats: 14 Games (14 Starts); 65 Tackles; 3.0 Sacks; 9.0 TFLs; 1 PD, 2 FFs; 1 FR; 1st Team All-American; 1st Team All-Big Ten; Big Ten Conference DL of the Year; 86.7 PFF Grade (91.2 Rdef; 79.0 Tack; 63.1 Prsh; 65.9 Cov)
- 2024 Stats: 16 Games (0 Starts); 19 Tackles; 1.5 TFLs; 1 PD; 68.9 PFF Grade (74.1 Rdef; 57.8 Tack; 59.2 Prsh; 60.3 Cov)
- Draft Range: Round 1
Last year, I thought it was a foregone conclusion that the Houston Texans would draft Ohio State OG Donovan Jackson. He just seemed like the perfect player at the perfect time for Houston, but instead of drafting him, the Texans instead traded out of the first round entirely. That made me look like I had egg on my face, so have I learned my lesson? Of course not! I think Texans general manager Nick Caserio is ready to make this defense virtually impossible to beat, and he’ll accomplish just that by drafting Ohio State DT Kayden McDonald.
McDonald, 21, finished his junior season as the clear cut best run defender in all of college football. Finishing with over 60 tackles, 9.0 tackles-for-loss, 3.0 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and All-American honors, you’d think the stat line would do him justice but it just can’t. Turn on highlights of any Ohio State game last season and you’ll see McDonald use his body to ruin the opposing team’s ground game. For opposing linemen, the battle with McDonald is usually over as soon as he starts lurching forward. His arms are like tungsten rods piercing through his enemies, comically heavy and practically demanding a two-man effort to keep him contained. When he’s not double-teamed, McDonald if often able to rely on his initial burst or strength to beat the opposing lineman, but he’s also savvy at shedding blocks and getting in position to stop the ball carrier.
All of this ridiculous power added up to a very productive 2025 season on Ohio State’s defensive line. He earned first-team All-American, first-team All-Big Ten, and Big Ten DL of Year awards all in his first year starting. Now, that lack of experience – especially in an NFL that is currently placing more value in veterans – will stand out sometimes, and it’s clear that he’s gotten used to winning with raw athleticism rather than technique. He’s also not the biggest nor longest defensive lineman out there, and isn’t agile enough to dramatically change his position on the line of scrimmage if need be. But, if NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein is to be trusted, Kayden McDonald is the next D.J. Reader. The Houston Texans have been looking for their next great run-stuffer since Reader left after the 2019 season, and McDonald could finally provide an end to that 6-year long search.
And that’s my list! This list could have honestly ballooned to 7-10 different players because I am in love with other prospects like Texas Tech’s Lee Hunter and Florida’s Caleb Banks, but I thought I should temper my anticipation considering this is the Texans and they’ll likely end up doing the opposite of whatever I want them to do, and both of those players might also be gone by the time the Texans would consider drafting them. I do think it’s a real possibility that Texans will stay in the first round in hopes of nabbing a player like Kayden McDonald or Peter Woods, but if both of those players are gone by pick 28, the Texans chances of trading out of the first round will become very high.
What do you think, though? Will the Texans target the defensive line early in this draft, or are they happy with the interior combination of Sheldon Rankins and Tommy Togiai? Will they be more interested in drafting another offensive lineman than defensive lineman, or will they even look for another wide reciever? Let us know who think the Texans will target in the 2026 NFL Draft down in the comments below!
Go Texans!!!
