The ink just now dried on the 2026 class, and while many Texans fans want to break out their red pens and strike through several of Nick Caserio’s selections, it’s never too ambitious to look ahead to next year’s class.
Fortunately for the Texans, 20 of the Texans 22 projected starters are signed through the 2027 season. The only two starters playing on the final year of their contract are LB Henry To’0To’o and WR Tank Dell.
As it stands, the Texans have six picks in the 2027 NFL Draft. The first four
rounds are their own, they have no fifth-round pick, a sixth-round pick from Cleveland, and a seventh-round pick thanks to New England.
For this mock draft, four rounds is as far as humanly possible to project players in a mock draft that’s a year away.
Round 1, Pick 27: Nick Marsh, WR – Indiana
There are some extremely tall prospects in this class. Over half of the initial top 10 are above 6’2”. The question is, will the Texans need to replace Tank Dell’s quickness and route running, or find another large-bodied receiver ala Nico Collins, Jayden Higgins, and Xavier Hutchinson?
The answer? Texans add another mammoth receiver and elite quickness. Marsh transferred from Michigan State to Indiana this winter and will be the centerpiece of an under-construction Indiana offense after Fernando Mendoza, Omar Cooper Jr., and Elijah Sarratt left for the NFL.
Round 2, Pick 59: Mark Fletcher, RB – Miami
Fletcher popped off the tape for me when watching 2024 film for Damien Martinez. It’s rare to be more impressed by a freshman when watching a senior play. Fletcher was the bell cow leading the Miami Hurricanes offense last season. He has three years of production and plays with a downhill running style that Nick Caley (if he’s still around) will adore. His light feet, contact balance, and year-over-year incremental productivity in college are all major check marks for the budding star.
While Fletcher infamously threw a punch at an Indiana player after the National Championship game, he is still widely regarded as one of the best running backs in this extremely deep class.
Adding a marquee running back is absolutely in the mix for 2027. Jawhar Jordan and British Brooks will be restricted free agents. David Montgomery will be on the last year of his contract. Woody Marks will be halfway through his rookie deal. Fletcher would be primed to take over the Texans offense in one or two seasons if not immediately.
Round 3, Pick 91: Kip Lewis, LB – Oklahoma
The growth, development, and contribution of the rookie linebackers will greatly impact how pressing of a need the position is in the 2027 draft. For now, the Texans have NINE r0ster-worthy linebackers on the roster.
Lewis is a fast, tenacious, and experienced linebacker who the Texans can groom to start in a season or two. At 6’2, three years of linebacker experience, He has pass coverage production as he notched four pass-breakups in 2025 and retired two pick-sixes in 2024. Lewis added to his repertoire in 2025 by accumulating four sacks, which will elevate his profile heading into his senior season.
Round 4, Pick 123: Vicari Swain, CB – South Carolina
It’s extremely difficult to project this deep into a class this far out, but that’s what we’re here for. South Carolina is turning into a factory for productive defensive backs. Next up on the production line is Swain, a 6-foot corner with . Swain only started three games in 2025, but recorded two forced fumbles, two interceptions, and five pass breakups his redshirt sophomore season. He also returns punts and was Third-Team All-SEC as a punt returner in 2025. While Swain could return for his Senior year, a strong season could provoke him to declare early as a special teams ace and developmental corner. His size, speed, and physicality all are prevailing qualities of a Houston Texans cornerback. He can sit behind Kamari Lassiter for one season and potentially grow into a starter at outside corner.
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