Houston Texans Training Camp kicks off July 21st at the Houston Methodist Training Center. The 25th season will bring with it as much anticipation as any with a veteran roster looking to break through in the playoffs. The combination of new faces and ascending stars gives the team a depth.
That depth brings competition that will play out over the next few weeks of training camp. The 90-man roster is all but
Center and backup center
The combatants: Jake Andrews, Keylan Rutledge, Evan Brown, Febechi Nwaiwu, Jarrett Patterson
General Manager Nick Caserio is approaching the center position like a French general at the Battle of Verdun; just throw bodies at the front line until you succeed. The incumbent Jake Andrews has an uphill battle to even make the roster after Houston drafted first-rounder Keylan Rutledge and fourth-rounder Febechi Nwaiwu.
This is a true open audition for the role. Almost every player in this group has gotten reps with the first string, including free agent Evan Brown, whose signing was so controversial we nicknamed it “Browngate“.
Many of these players have experience playing multiple positions on the offensive line, which will allow for Houston to keep a handful of these players on the roster.
Prediction: At this moment, I bet Rutledge, Nwaiwu, and Andrews make the roster with either Patterson or Brown being relegated to the practice squad.
Backup Nickel
The combatants: Alijah Huzzie, Kamari Ramsey
Unlike the center position, there is only one spot available for these two players. Depending on how the roster shakes out, second-year DB Alijah Huzzie could sneak onto the roster. Huzzie was an undrafted rookie from UNC last year and was elevated off the practice squad multiple times in 2025. He’s a hard-hitting, man-oriented nickel who is not as scheme versatile as the rookie Kamari Ramsey. Ramsey can play strong safety , free safety, and Nickel. However, he’s at his best closer to the line of scrimmage.
Prediction: While I am a huge Huzzie fan, Ramsey’s going to earn the roster spot. Huzzie will once again join the team throughout the season via the practice squad.
Final Wide Receiver
The combatants: Lewis Bond and Justin Watson
The Texans have kept seven wide receivers the past two initial 53-man rosters, but that won’t be the case in 2026. There are too many other competitions at other positions to compel the Texans to keep seven receivers over.
Sixth-round pick Lewis Bond has been the most positive surprise out of rookie minicamp and OTAs. He’s displayed savvy route running and an impressive knowledge of the offense in a short period of time. He’s up against veteran Justin Watson who is coming off of a career worst season due to a calf/achilles tendon injury. Watson’s place in the offense is an enigma outside of being the wily vet in the room of Houston Texans draft picks. An injury-plagued 2025 kept him off the field and will severely impact his likelihood to make the roster in 2026.
Prediction: Bond makes the roster, Watson is cut and not signed to the practice squad.
Defensive End
The combatants: Dominique Robinson, Ali Gaye, Solomon Byrd, free agents
Danielle Hunter, Will Anderson Jr., and for the most part Dylan Horton are all roster locks. However, the fourth and final defensive end position is completely up for grabs. Fans and BRB writers are clamoring for Houston to add a free agent defensive end to round out this room. However, Houston enters with a list of unproven prospects for DE4. The current front runner is former Bear Dominique Robinson, but the most sacks he’s had in a season is 1.5 and he’s yet to play a full season since 2022.
Prediction: Texans re-sign Derek Barnett or Haason Reddick halfway through Training Camp and cut the rest.
Backup Linebackers
The combatants: Jake Hansen, Jake Hummel, Jamal Hill, Wade Woodaz, Aiden Fisher, Marte Mapu
Two or three of these players will make the roster depending on the depth needed to replace E.J. Speed. This is by far the deepest position on the roster, but who can separate themselves in Houston’s Training Camp?
Hansen and Hill were special teams-only contributors last year. Woodaz and Fisher are rookies, but neither are locks for the roster given their Day Three draft value. Then the additions of Hummel and Mapu are fairly unknown products at the linebacker position. Houston needs one the emerge.
Prediction: Woodaz, Hansen, and Mapu make the roster. Hill and Fisher on the practice squad.
