Hours spent pouring over film, digging into player backgrounds, and tracking countless school transfers all culminate in this list of my favorite draft targets for the Houston Texans. These are the players I’d gladly pound the table for if I were sitting in the Texans’ draft war room regardless of where they ultimately come off the board.
Scouting players and falling for their potential has roughly the same success rate as an online dating app. Sure, the obvious options jump out immediately; surface-level
traits that attract the most attention. But every so often, there’s something more. A fit between player and team that just clicks, that makes sense beyond the measurables, and gives you that flutter of excitement when you imagine it becoming real.
This draft class is not without its challenges. I only have 20 players with true first-round grades and players rated 20 – 45 have essentially the exact same grading. Finding a quality running back feels like a perilous adventure. The tight end class has 17 draftable options but requires the Sorting Hat from Harry Potter to properly identify the talent. This defensive end class has a dozen quality options, but every player lacks at least one trait length, experience, youth, pass rushing repertoire, or power. Overall, there are few “complete” prospects in this class.
The main bias to be aware of is my own research has its bounds and limits. Time has not been invested into positions the Texans don’t need to prioritize in the 2026 class. Those positions include WR, QB, CB, and EDGE.
Without further ado, below are my 20 favorite prospects in the 2026 NFL Class.
- A.J. Haulcy, S – LSU
- If someone asked me “who is the one player that will be selected on Day Two of the NFL Draft that will be a multi-year Pro Bowler?”, my answer would be Haulcy. He is the most “SWARM” player in the 2026 class. His downhill trigger and physicality at the point of attack are unmatched in this class.
- Vega Ioane – OG – Penn State
- Ioane is the only player in the first round I would trade up for. He is my highest rated guard in the past six classes. There isn’t another players in his tier. His size, power, patience, hand placement, and technique are all elite and downright unfair.
- Zakee Wheatley, S – Penn State
- Two high safeties with strong tackling prowess are extremely rare to find. Wheatley is athletic and has an elite frame. When everything is in front of him, he can trigger downfield and snatch souls with a physicality necessary to win at the next level.
- Emmett Johnson, RB – Nebraska
- Johnson may be the player I am highest on compared to my peers. In a woefully disappointing RB class, Johnson shines for his combination of elusiveness and contact balance.
- Seth McGowan, RB – Kentucky
- McGowan turned around his life and football career after being dismissed from Oklahoma. He is extremely light on his feet for a 6-foot, 22o-pound running back, but multiple fumbles and limited explosive plays hamper his projection.
- Eli Raridon, TE – Notre Dame
- In a class full of under-sized tight ends who can’t win on the line of scrimmage, the 6’6” tight end possesses the frame and skillset to deliver as an in-line TE in 12 personnel. NFL family lineage, quality route tree, and sneaky straight line speed are his calling cards.
- Josh Cuevas, TE – Alabama
- Even though he routinely body catches passes, he just is too athletic to fail. Compared to most of this traits-based class, Cuevas provides clear TE3 production and blocking ability.
- Jake Slaughter, C – Florida
- My highest rated center in this class, Slaughter has the power and physicality to win at the next level. Pass protection is where he shines. He keeps his feet wide, underneath him, but slightly behind his frame while not leaning too forward. I never saw a DT pull and rip past him, which is surprising given the technique. He counters well with his hands and knows how to give up ground without losing control.
- J.C. Davis, OT – Illinois
- In a class where most of the top tackles should convert to guard, Davis is a fifth-year senior who deserves to play at tackle. 49 consecutive starts across New Mexico and Illinois, Davis throws down the gauntlet each and every snap. Davis treats pass protection like a school yard brawl.
- Markel Bell, OT – Miami
- A complete and utter project, Bell deserves a shout as a National Champion, his absurd frame at 6’9”, and multiple years with starting experience. Bell is so massive that it getting around or through him is a nightmare.
- Billy Schrauth, OG – Notre Dame
- If Houston wants to replace Jarrett Patterson with a younger, better version, Schrauth is the Day Three gem. Injured in 2025 and has an incomplete resume, but the two time team-captain has the requisite size and power to make it and succeed. I trust his long-term development projects to a rotational starter at either guard.
- Jake Golday, LB – Cincinatti
- The most versatile player in the class. Golday has the length, range, and tackling form to stay at inside linebacker while allowing the defense to evolve and rotate with Jalen Pitre in the slot. Could be a boom or bust, but would rather have Golday in Houston than on another roster.
- Domonique Orange, DT – Iowa State
- Arguably the most misused and misunderstood player in this draft class, Orange would be an exceptional 4-3 defensive tackle with his size, explosiveness, and lateral quickness.
- Anthony Hill Jr., LB – Texas
- Three-year starter as a Junior with raw athleticism and a hunter-seeker mindset, Hill Jr. plateaued in 2025 due to injury and weaker defensive tackles in front of him. Give Hill Jr. a season as a backup to learn under DeMeco Ryans and he will develop into a preeminent off-ball linebacker.
- Romello Height, DE – Texas Tech
- Finesse. Finesse. Finesse. Will he be an absolute liability in the run game? Sure. But there may not be a player with a more robust toolkit of pass rush moves outside of the first 15 picks than Height. He provides immediate third down pass rush capability and grow into a better run stopper with improvements in technique.
- Albert Regis, DT – Texas A&M
- Regis was my litmus test to evaluate SEC offensive lineman tape. His physicality at the point of attack and hand usage to dislodge from bigger offensive guards stands out. A Day Three DT who will absolutely rotate in at the next level.
- Chris McClellan, DT – Missouri
- Like Regis, McClellan is a run-defender first. McClellan’s massive frame and power are rare finds for a Day Three prospect. If Houston passes on DTs early for more premium positions, McClellan would dominate in 4-3 under fronts on early downs.
- Deontae Lawson, LB – Alabama
- Lawson is a less athletic, higher floor, lower ceiling version of Anthony Hill Jr. Three years of starting experience with. I trust Lawson to slowly earn starting reps with his intelligence and play fervor.
- Jalon Kilgore, Nickle/S – South Carolina
- 4.40 speed, a menace at the point of attack, great arm length, and an NFL-ready frame. First-Team Freshman All-American. Team captain. Kilgore would back up Jalen Pitre and maintain the Texans’ scheme if Pitre is ever injured.
- Max Llewellyn, DE – Iowa
- While not greatly physically gifted, he brings consistent effort and a pass rush repertoire to be feared. Projected to be a fifth round pick, Llewellyn’s length caused problems for offensive tackles in college. He will be a long-term backup and rotational contributor on a defensive line with
If interested, I can put together a full and complete “not my guy” article to outline players who I believe are over-valued, over-hyped, and not able to win at the next level.
