The Houston Texans are coming off another season that ended just shy of the promised land - three straight years of falling in the Divisional Round. That kind of consistency is both a blessing and a burden.
It means you’re close, but not quite there. And for a team with a rising star under center in C.J.
Stroud, the front office knows the time to push all-in is now.
Armed with the 28th overall pick and a pair of second-rounders in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Texans are in a solid position to make meaningful upgrades. But according to a recent three-round mock draft from analyst Chad Reuter, Houston isn’t content to sit tight - they’re moving up the board with purpose.
In Reuter’s projection, the Texans strike a deal with the Chargers to jump from No. 28 to No. 22, sending two fourth-round picks along with their original first-rounder to make it happen. The target? Blake Miller, the massive offensive tackle out of Clemson.
Miller brings size, athleticism, and a mean streak in the run game - all traits that could help solidify the edge of Houston’s offensive line. For a team that saw flashes of brilliance from Stroud in Year 2, giving him more time to operate and a sturdier pocket to step into could be the difference between another playoff exit and a deeper run.
But the Texans don’t stop there. With the 38th overall pick, they double down on the offensive trenches, taking Oregon guard Emmanuel Pregnon.
Pregnon is one of the top interior linemen in this class, and adding him to the mix gives Houston a young, physical presence on the inside. It’s a clear statement: protecting Stroud is priority number one.
That kind of investment in the offensive line isn’t just about keeping your quarterback upright - it also sets the tone for a more consistent ground game. And that’s where the Texans’ second second-round pick comes into play.
At No. 59, Reuter has Houston selecting Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price.
While his college teammate Jeremiyah Love is drawing most of the pre-draft headlines (and is projected to go as high as eighth overall), Price is no consolation prize. He’s a dynamic back in his own right - shifty, explosive, and capable of contributing as both a runner and a receiver.
He brings versatility to a Texans backfield that could use a little more juice.
With their final pick in the first two days of the draft, Houston shifts focus to the defensive side of the ball, grabbing Florida State defensive tackle Darrell Jackson Jr. Jackson is a big-bodied interior lineman who can clog lanes and push the pocket - an important piece for a defense that’s still building its identity up front.
All told, this mock draft paints a picture of a Texans front office that understands where it needs to improve - and is acting accordingly. By investing heavily in the offensive line and adding a versatile weapon out of the backfield, Houston is doing everything it can to build around its young franchise quarterback. Add in a promising defensive lineman, and you’ve got a well-rounded haul that addresses key needs without reaching.
If this is how the Texans’ draft weekend plays out, it won’t just be about getting over the Divisional Round hump. It’ll be about building a roster that’s ready to contend for a long time.