The spring bloom of April has filled the air with warmth, new horizons, and hay fever. An inviting breeze seems to pull open your neighbors screen doors and freshen up their porches, and the newfound shade of nearby trees comes as a welcome surprise. This kind of weather can only mean one thing: the NFL Draft is upon us!
Now just a few weeks away, the 2026 NFL Draft will provide one more opportunity for the Houston Texans to complete their Super Bowl-caliber roster. General manager Nick Caserio has
done an admirable job wooing starting-quality talent at positions of need this offseason, including the signings of S Reed Blankenship, T Braden Smith, G Evan Brown, G Wyatt Teller, the notable re-signings of T Trent Brown and G Ed Ingram, and the trade for RB David Montgomery. Quarterback CJ Stroud – now a far more embattled player than he was one year ago – will probably feel a little more confident in the players keeping him upright in 2026. But…how does Stroud really feel? Put yourself in his shoes for a moment: you just had your worst game as a professional player for one the largest viewing audiences you’ve ever had, putting a shockingly sour note on an otherwise successful third season as the Texans starting quarterback. Your place as a franchise leader, while still stable, is more in question now than it ever has before, and expectations are going to be impossibly high in year four. What are some things that would make life a little easier?
Well, besides the obvious aid that pizza or gas station scratch-offs may provide, I think Stroud would feel more relieved with an exceptional supporting cast of offensive talent. Those new linemen and the new tailback will go a long way, but…wouldn’t it be nice to have some more big-body receivers? In his three seasons in the NFL, Stroud has heavily relied on 6’4” WR Nico Collins and 6’5” TE Dalton Schultz to be the heads of the passing attack, and in 2025, all of his top four receivers (Collins, Schultz, Higgins, Hutchinson) were over 6’3”. Now, this isn’t to say that Stroud is reliant on tall receivers only, as evidenced by his connection with Tank Dell and/or Jaylin Noel. But, Stroud’s noted interest in targeting Dalton Schultz as a sort of safety valve last year should be a sign to the Texans’ front office to find more players that can make a good understudy to him. Free agent acquisition Foster Moreau and the eventual return of 2021 draftee Brevin Jordan will make the TE room look a bit nicer this training camp, but targeting this position in the 2026 draft could be another step towards putting even more spring in Stroud’s step come September.
So, who are the best TE targets for the Houston Texans in the 2026 NFL Draft? Well, by far the most hyped and most talented player of the group is Oregon TE Kenyon Saadiq, who can run routes and block with the best of them. Although…he may be a little too good. So good, in fact, that I don’t expect the Houston Texans to even sniff him with their 28th overall selection. So, instead of ranking the five very best tight ends in this year’s draft, I’ve decided instead to rank the top five tight ends that would be great fits for the Houston Texans. Basically, a top 5 wish list I have for the Texans this draft. We’ll start with one of the favorite prospects this year, Baylor TE Michael Trigg:
Honorable Mentions: TE Will Kacmarcek, Ohio State; TE Justin Joly, N.C. State
5. TE Michael Trigg, Baylor
- Measurements: 6’ 4”; 240 lbs.; Arm: 34 ¼”; Hand: 10 ½”; 40-Yard Dash: 4.7s; 10-Yard Split: N/A; Vertical Jump: N/A; Broad Jump: N/A; Bench Press: N/A
- 2025 Stats: 11 Games (11 Starts); 50 Recs; 694 Yds (13.9 Y/R); 6 TDs; 72.4 PFF Grade (77.3 Pass, 62.3 Pblk, 46.0 Rblk); Third-team All-American; First-team All-Big 12; Finalist for John Mackey Award
- 2024 Stats: 11 Games (5 Starts); 30 Recs; 395 Yds (13.2 Y/R); 3 TDs; 71.5 PFF Grade (72.9 Pass, 64.0 Pblk, 62.6 Rblk); Second-team All-Big 12
- Expected Draft Range: Rounds 4-7
Everyone is talking about how great of an athlete Kenyon Sadiq is, but I think we’re overlooking the sheer power of Baylor’s Michael Trigg. At 6’ 4” 240 lbs., Trigg is a downfield nightmare for opposing defenses, preying on linebackers and DBs that dare underestimate his speed and extensive catch radius. In 2025, the Houston Texans’ temperamental offense became their Achilles heel, frequently stalling when Stroud couldn’t find WR Nico Collins or TE Dalton Schultz. Adding another big body athlete like Michael Trigg into the mix – who can line up and as in-line tight end or outside – would add a much-needed layer of intricacy to the offense. Especially in a contemporary NFL landscape that’s smitten with 12-personnel schemes, adding Trigg to the roster could be the missing link for the Nick Caley offense.
Trigg isn’t a perfect prospect, though. Despite his size, you can find plays of him getting pushed off the ball and getting fought off the point of contact by smaller defenders, so he’ll need to learn how to use his weight more effectively if he wants to succeed in the NFL. Likewise, his run-blocking is far from pristine. He’s got the size and the strength to get better, but he’s more of a receiving tight end than anything else. If Michael Trigg can learn how to maintain his pad level and use his weight to his advantage more often, he can be a starter for years to come for the Houston Texans. This may be a reach, but I’d be happy if the Texans used a second round pick to future-proof their TE room with him.
4. Tanner Koziol, Houston
- Measurements: 6’ 6”; 247 lbs.; Arm: 33 ¾”; Hand: 9 ¾”; 40-Yard Dash: 4.7s; 10-Yard Split: 1.62s; Vertical Jump: 36.5”; Broad Jump: 10’ 2”; Bench Press: N/A
- 2025 Stats: 13 Games (13 Starts); 74 Recs; 727 Yds (9.8 Y/R); 6 TDs; 78.9 PFF Grade (87.3 Pass, 56.7 Pblk, 46.0 Rblk); First-team All-Big 12
- 2024 Stats (Ball State): 12 Games (8 Starts); 94 Recs; 839 Yds (8.9 Y/R); 8 TDs; 87.9 PFF Grade (89.4 Pass, 74.5 Pblk, 65.7 Rblk); Second-team All-MAC
- Expected Draft Range: Rounds 5-6
It wouldn’t be a Texans-themed draft preview without throwing in some UH intrigue! To the less Cougar-ish among us, Tanner Koziol was a tall, lanky, athletic tight end that fueled Houston’s offense for much of the 2025 season. His speed and natural ball skills made him a favorite target in his first and only season in Houston, finishing with over 700 receiving yards, 6 touchdowns, and 1st-Team All Big-12 honors. He’s a natural receiver, and when you put an athlete like that in a 6’ 7” frame with an arm length of 33 ¾”, production is a guarantee. Any defenders that weren’t in perfect coverage risked getting mossed by Koziol, and against teams like Oregon State and Oklahoma State, he showcased some impressive bendyness and awareness. Sounds like a home-run, so why is he expected to fall out of the top 100?
Well, while Koziol is quite the threat when reeling in a pass, he lacks the speed, weight, and route acumen that separate average TE prospects from the very best. He isn’t very fast, is a straight up monotonous route-runner that makes it extremely obvious where he’s going, and lacks the weight to withstand harder hitting NFL defenders. And, as a blocker, he’s nothing to write home about. There’s no denying that he’s an attractive receiving target, one that I’ve grown increasingly fond of as the draft approaches, but these limitations prevent me from wanting the Texans to target him any higher than the fourth round.
3. TE Oscar Delp, Georgia
- Age: 23
- Measurements: 6’ 5”; 245 lbs.; Arm: 31 ⅝”; Hand: 9 ½”; 40-Yard Dash: 4.49s; 10-Yard Split: 1.61s; Vertical Jump: 38”; Broad Jump: 10’ 9”; Bench Press: 23 Reps
- 2025 Stats: 14 Games (14 Starts); 20 Recs; 261 Yds (13.1 Y/R); 1 TD; 63.2 PFF Grade (60.3 Pass, 73.5 Pblk, 59.4 Rblk)
- 2024 Stats: 14 Games (14 Starts); 21 Recs; 248 Yds (11.8 Y/R); 4 TDs; 56.4 PFF Grade (60.2 Pass, 34.8 Pblk, 54.0 Rblk)
- Expected Draft Range: Rounds 3-4
Some tight ends are guaranteed stars thanks to their combination of production and athleticism. Some tight ends have college stats to hang with the best, but are missing the top-shelf athleticism that so many NFL front offices are searching for. And some tight ends, like Oscar Delp, appear to have the coveted combination of great size, receiving skills, and blocking skills, but are missing the production that other blue-chip prospects possess. Delp may not have stats that blow you away, but peel your eyes from the small sample size and turn on the tape and you’ll see one of the most complete tight ends in the 2026 Draft.
Delp can line up outside and make plays thanks to his receiver background, can excel as a lead blocker on screens, and can also play as the inline tight end and seal the edge on power runs. Delp is neither terrible nor brilliant, but was good enough to make winning plays for Georgia’s grinding offense. When playing receiver, Delp has a natural release and is able to smoothly twist his upper body to make the catch in stride and keep his momentum going forward. He can’t run every route in the tree, but he’s far more than just a tall tight end that can only run in a straight line. As a blocker, Delp has the size and lower pad level to be effective in the NFL, but could afford to add a little weight to compensate for the additional mass his professional opponents will be carrying. Given his performances against Ole Miss and Mississippi State, though, I like his chances of being a solid #2 TE. If he’s able to maximize his athletic traits, Delp could help the Houston Texans experiment with their offense and disguise their intentions with a new, multi-purpose player.
The one thing that gives me pause with Oscar Delp is the mild feelings of buyer’s remorse I’ve developed for current Texans TE Cade Stover. While Delp is a very different prospect than Stover coming out of college, Delp still fits within that mold of an athletic and untested giant of an athlete that can do anything. Delp’s future remains shrouded in mystery as of now, but Stover’s lack of development with the Texans makes me nervous about what Delp’s potential really could be. Granted, Stover had a pivotal 2nd year knocked off course by a broken foot injury suffered in week 1, but even a fully healthy Stover has been unable to realize his expectations coming out of Ohio State in 2024. The excitement I get watching Delp reminds me of those sour grapes, but that doesn’t mean that I want the Texans to turn their nose up on him. If Delp is still available in the third or fourth round, he’s absolutely worth targeting.
2. Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt
- Age: 23
- Measurements: 6’ 4”; 239 lbs.; Arm: 32 ⅝”; Hand: 9 ¾”; 40-Yard Dash: 4.51s; 10-Yard Split: 1.59s; Vertical Jump: 45.5”; Broad Jump: 11’ 3”; Bench Press: N/A
- 2025 Stats: 12 Games (5 Starts); 62 Recs; 769 Yds (12.4 Y/R); 4 TDs; 81.6 PFF Grade (85.3 Pass, 71.5 Pblk, 51.2 Rblk); All-American, First-team All-SEC, John Mackey Award and William V. Campbell Trophy winner
- 2024 Stats: 13 Games (5 Starts); 49 Recs: 638 Yds (13.0 Y/R) 4 TDs; 86.9 PFF Grade (89.0 Pass, 71.4 Pblk, 59.3 Rblk); First-team All-SEC
- Expected Draft Range: Rounds 1-3
Even though he may not fit the mold of the beefy Y-tight end that Houston may be sniffing for in this draft, Vanderbilt TE Eli Stowers still provides them with one of the best offensive weapons this class has to offer. Once a highly recruited high school quarterback prospect out of Denton, TX, Stowers made the transition to TE in college after multiple shoulder injuries and never looked back. His speed and uncanny route-running meant he was open quite often in the slot for Vanderbilt, becoming one of QB Diego Pavia’s favorite targets in 2025. Even though he was usually only asked to run short and intermediate routes, he still showed the speed to be a deadly downfield target in the few opportunities he was given, and has some impressive footwork for such a tall player. He’s not quite what Evan Engram was coming out of college, but Eli Stowers isn’t far.
His blocking, however, leaves much to be desired. This is where his lack of experience at tight end really rears its head, and he’d agree with that assessment given this quote from PFT’s Charean Williams:
“‘That was the newest thing to me, newest technique, newest movement, coming from quarterback,’ Stowers said. ‘That was something you never did as a quarterback. I think that’s something that I’ve gotten a lot better [at doing], but I want to continue to try to learn and watch film and hone in on my technique.‘” – Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt TE Eli Stowers continues to hone blocking skills after move from QB, Charean Williams
This doesn’t mean he can’t gradually improve in this role, not unlike current Texans Brevin Jordan, but the point of bringing in a guy like Stowers would be to give Texans QB CJ Stroud another tall weapon that he can use as a safety valve. Dalton Schultz won’t be here forever, and if the Texans don’t have a true TE #1 on board by the time they’re on the clock, Eli Stowers’ receiving ability alone makes him a great alternative. Given how quickly he’s adapted to being a tight end after starting his career under center, I’m willing to bet on his upside as an NFL player. Still, that blocking can make me a little nervous…
1. Sam Roush, Stanford
- Age: 23
- Measurements: 6’ 6”, 267 lbs., Arm: 30 ⅝”, Hand: 10”; 40-Yard Dash: 4.7s; 10-Yard Split: 1.61s; Vertical Jump: 38.5”; Broad Jump: 10’ 6”; Bench Press: 25 Reps
- 2025 Statistics: 12 Games (12 Starts); 49 Recs; 545 Yds (11.1 Y/R); 2 TDs; 57.1 PFF Grade (56.6 Pass, 68.8 Pblk, 57.6 Rblk); Second team All-ACC
- 2024 Statistics: 12 Games (12 Starts); 40 Recs; 334 Yds (8.4 Y/R); 2 TDs; 61.3 PFF Grade (58.4 Pass, 67.1 Pblk, 65.9 Rblk)
- Expected Draft Range: Rounds 2-3
He’s not the best tight end, or the most underrated, or the sexiest, but Sam Roush is the tight end I can easily see Texans general manager Nick Caserio and offensive coordinator Nick Caley falling in love with. Roush is one of the more feature-complete TEs of this draft class, possessing plenty of positive tape both blocking and receiving. He’s not going to blow you away as a receiver, but Roush is a powerful, beastly blocker that can seal an edge or open a rushing lane with ease. His background in rugby is partially to blame for his people-moving skills, and on top of that, he jumped out of the gym at the NFL combine!
Stanford loved to use Roush as an extra lineman, and would often have him fake as a blocker and then run a quick route to get open. His subtlety in route-running isn’t great, but his footwork is spicy enough to keep defenders guessing, especially if they’re unsure if he’ll be blocking or not. He’s got a heck of a lot of upside, but has one major caveat: significantly shorter than average arm-length. This is going to make a difference in the NFL, but shorter arms wasn’t enough to prevent Sam Roush from becoming a mauler at the line of scrimmage and earning second-team All-ACC honors in 2025. Simply put, if the Texans were truly aiming to become a more “physical” offense, then Sam Rouche would be at the top of their draft board in the second or third round.
And that’s my list! I’ve become very attached to both Sam Roush and Michael Trigg over the last several weeks, so I’m really pulling for the Texans to nab one of them in the middle rounds, but any of these 5 players would be a nice pickup. In an NFL world that demands more quality tight ends, I think this year’s draft class will provide Houston the chance to catch up to other, more established offensive rosters.
What do you think, though? Would the Texans be making the right move if they were to take a TE in the 2nd or 3rd rounds, or do you think those picks would be better used for some other position. Or, is there a TE that you’re a fan of that wasn’t mentioned in this list? Let us know your thoughts down in the comments below!
Go Texans!!!
