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The 2025 NFL draft is in the books, where the Houston Texans welcomed nine new rookies to the roster.
Afrer moving back nine spots in the first round to pick No. 34, the Texans added a pair of playmakers in Iowa State receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel with two of their top three picks. Houston also shored up the trenches with the second-round selection of Minnesota offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery. They also found some potential late-round gems with running back Woody Marks, defensive back Jaylen Reed, defensive tackle Kyonte Hamilton and tight end Luke Lachey.
Houston is slated to hold its rookie minicamp on May 9, where fans will get a first glimpse at the newcomers before the offseason program kicks into high gear.
While the life of the mock draft world is over for now, that didn't stop several outlets from dropping their way-too-early 2026 mock drafts that surfaced after the 2025 draft. We rounded those up, where experts make their first picks for Texans, where, to no one's surprise, trench play remains a need for the back-to-back AFC South champions.
ESPN's Jordan Reid: "The Texans have massively overturned their line after a disappointing 2024, and there's a good chance that overhaul will continue into 2026. I liked the Aireontae Ersery pick last week, but Houston has a lot of work to do in improving C.J. Stroud's protection. Mauigoa significantly improved at right tackle last season, not giving up a sack. The 6-6 315-pounder can control blockers at the point of attack. And while there is considerable debate among scouts about whether Mauigoa is a tackle or guard in the NFL, Houston needs a boost at both spots."
The Athletic's Dane Brugler: "The Clemson defensive coaches would line up the 315-pound Woods at defensive end last season to get the best four linemen on the field — and Woods didn’t look out of place. He will move inside to defensive tackle in 2025 and is on a first-round trajectory."
CBS Sports' Josh Edwards: "Houston identified its offensive line as a point of weakness and made changes this offseason. Those issues will likely continue into next year based on the current construction of the unit. Pritchett is an unfinished product that teams have been trying to get in the transfer portal from Alabama for the past two years."
From PFF's Dalton Wasserman: "The best center in college football gets matched with the team most desperate for interior offensive line help. Slaughter ranked second in the Power Four with an 82.1 PFF overall grade, despite facing a gauntlet schedule that included Miami, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Georgia, Texas and Ole Miss. He was the only qualified Power Four center who earned an 80.0-plus PFF grade as a run blocker and as a pass protector in 2024."
Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski: "Houston did select Minnesota's Aireontae Ersery in this year's second round. He could end up at left tackle or guard. Since Robinson won't be signed, left tackle should be considered the current projection. Meanwhile, Alabama's Jaeden Roberts can be added to guard next year and give the Texans a physical tone-setter along the offensive interior. He is a 6'5", 325-pound people-mover. He may not be as nasty as former Crimson Tide teammate Tyler Booker, but the redshirt senior knows how to finish blocks, too."
33rd Team's Kyle Crabbs: "You can rest assured that DeMeco Ryans will ensure his defense has all the pressure players they need to keep the heat on."
Athlon Sports' Luke Easterling: "Joe Mixon will turn 30 before the start of the 2026 season, and the Texans could move on from his contract after 2025 with little dead money to worry about. If they're willing to invest first-round capital into his replacement, Love is a dynamic back with the athleticism and explosiveness to be worthy of a top-20 selection."
Pro Football Network's Jacob Infante: "Caleb Lomu is a smooth left tackle who only allowed two sacks on 425 pass-blocking snaps in 2024. His hand timing, balance, and range in pass protection make him a top tackle prospect, especially if he continues to bulk up."
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: 2026 NFL mock draft round-up: Way-too-early predictions for Texans
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Afrer moving back nine spots in the first round to pick No. 34, the Texans added a pair of playmakers in Iowa State receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel with two of their top three picks. Houston also shored up the trenches with the second-round selection of Minnesota offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery. They also found some potential late-round gems with running back Woody Marks, defensive back Jaylen Reed, defensive tackle Kyonte Hamilton and tight end Luke Lachey.
Houston is slated to hold its rookie minicamp on May 9, where fans will get a first glimpse at the newcomers before the offseason program kicks into high gear.
While the life of the mock draft world is over for now, that didn't stop several outlets from dropping their way-too-early 2026 mock drafts that surfaced after the 2025 draft. We rounded those up, where experts make their first picks for Texans, where, to no one's surprise, trench play remains a need for the back-to-back AFC South champions.
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ESPN: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (21st overall)
ESPN's Jordan Reid: "The Texans have massively overturned their line after a disappointing 2024, and there's a good chance that overhaul will continue into 2026. I liked the Aireontae Ersery pick last week, but Houston has a lot of work to do in improving C.J. Stroud's protection. Mauigoa significantly improved at right tackle last season, not giving up a sack. The 6-6 315-pounder can control blockers at the point of attack. And while there is considerable debate among scouts about whether Mauigoa is a tackle or guard in the NFL, Houston needs a boost at both spots."
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The Athletic: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson (20th overall)
The Athletic's Dane Brugler: "The Clemson defensive coaches would line up the 315-pound Woods at defensive end last season to get the best four linemen on the field — and Woods didn’t look out of place. He will move inside to defensive tackle in 2025 and is on a first-round trajectory."
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CBS Sports: Elijah Pritchett OT, Nebraska (21st overall)
CBS Sports' Josh Edwards: "Houston identified its offensive line as a point of weakness and made changes this offseason. Those issues will likely continue into next year based on the current construction of the unit. Pritchett is an unfinished product that teams have been trying to get in the transfer portal from Alabama for the past two years."
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Pro Football Focus: Jake Slaughter, OL, Florida (20th overall)
From PFF's Dalton Wasserman: "The best center in college football gets matched with the team most desperate for interior offensive line help. Slaughter ranked second in the Power Four with an 82.1 PFF overall grade, despite facing a gauntlet schedule that included Miami, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Georgia, Texas and Ole Miss. He was the only qualified Power Four center who earned an 80.0-plus PFF grade as a run blocker and as a pass protector in 2024."
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Bleacher Report: OG Jaeden Roberts, Alabama (17th overall)
Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski: "Houston did select Minnesota's Aireontae Ersery in this year's second round. He could end up at left tackle or guard. Since Robinson won't be signed, left tackle should be considered the current projection. Meanwhile, Alabama's Jaeden Roberts can be added to guard next year and give the Texans a physical tone-setter along the offensive interior. He is a 6'5", 325-pound people-mover. He may not be as nasty as former Crimson Tide teammate Tyler Booker, but the redshirt senior knows how to finish blocks, too."
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33rd Team: Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State (20th overall)
33rd Team's Kyle Crabbs: "You can rest assured that DeMeco Ryans will ensure his defense has all the pressure players they need to keep the heat on."
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Athlon Sports: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame (18th overall)
Athlon Sports' Luke Easterling: "Joe Mixon will turn 30 before the start of the 2026 season, and the Texans could move on from his contract after 2025 with little dead money to worry about. If they're willing to invest first-round capital into his replacement, Love is a dynamic back with the athleticism and explosiveness to be worthy of a top-20 selection."
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Pro Football Network: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah (17th overall)
Pro Football Network's Jacob Infante: "Caleb Lomu is a smooth left tackle who only allowed two sacks on 425 pass-blocking snaps in 2024. His hand timing, balance, and range in pass protection make him a top tackle prospect, especially if he continues to bulk up."
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: 2026 NFL mock draft round-up: Way-too-early predictions for Texans
Continue reading...
