What’s the right course of action for the Houston Texans at pick No. 28 this month when on the clock? Is it an offensive tackle? What about a defensive lineman?
Could Houston be the surprise team of all rosters entering the summer ahead of a crucial season with C.J. Stroud under center?
Houston has four picks in the top 70, including an additional second-rounder acquired from the Washington Commanders after trading Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil last offseason. General Manager Nick Caserio has more than enough capital to shore up the roster, whether that be moving forward for a key lineman or backwards for several extra picks.
Like all 31 other franchises, the Texans can host up to 30 prospects for official pre-draft visits before the draft. These meetings are called “top 30” visits or “30 visits.” Some players are names that Houston met with at the combine or their respective pro days. Others are just names who have ties to the state of Texas.
With the draft just weeks away, Texans Wire will be tracking all of the prospects who have talked with Houston following the trip up to Indianapolis.
Tennessee CB Colton Hood
According to reports, potential first-round pick Colton Hood visited the Texans earlier this week. Hood, a standout for the Tennessee Volunteers last season, also visited the Las Vegas Raiders, Seattle Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs.
A former starter at Colorado, Hood transferred to Knoxville last spring and became Tennessee’s No. 1 defensive back with future first-round pick Jermod McCoy sidelined. A third-team All-Southeastern Conference selection, Hood finished with 50 tackles, 4 1/2 for losses with eight pass breakups and a forced fumble.
The Texans aren’t expected to target a cornerback in Round 1, but given that Houston has two second-round picks, a slip in the draft could lead to potentially a shift in targeting positions on Day 2. The Texans’ first of two second-round picks is at No. 38, 10 picks after their first-round pick at No. 28.
Memphis OT Travis Burke
According to KPRC 2 Sports’ Aaron Wilson, the Texans virtually met with Memphis offensive tackle Travis Burke. A 6-foot-9, 332-pound standout blocker, Burke has overnight blossomed into a potential second-round draft target for multiple NFL teams that are intrigued by his size, nasty streak, and position flexibility. Most teams view him as a right tackle prospect, but some believe he can shift over to the left side.
Alabama LB Justin Jefferson
The Houston Texans previously hosted Alabama linebacker Justin Jefferson ahead of the draft, according to KPRC 2 Sports’ Aaron Wilson. A two-year starter for the Crimson Tide, Jefferson recorded 85 tackles, 6.5 for losses with three sacks, one interception and a forced fumble last season. He’s expected to be an early Day 3 target for most rosters.
Washington WR Denzel Boston
According to reports, the Texans hosted Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston this week as one of his final 30 visits. The Texans don’t seem to be in the market for a wide receiver after using two early draft picks on the Iowa State standouts last April, but given the recent comments made by Nick Caserio on Tank Dell’s status, it wouldn’t be the worst idea to bring in at least one pass-catcher.
A staple under Jedd Fisch’s squad the past two seasons, Boston has been one of the more consistent weapons in the Big Ten. A former third-team All-Big Ten selection, Boston finished with Huskies’ career with 132 receptions for 1,781 yards and 20 touchdowns and one rushing score. He caught 62 passes for 881 yards and 11 touchdowns last season.
A 6-foot-4 and 212 pounds, Boston fits the mold of a big-bodied playmaker who wins with contested catches and elevating himself over cornerbacks while coming down with great body control. He’s expected to be one of the better red zone targets in the league as part of the draft class.
Texas A&M OL Trey Zuhn
Texas A&M offensive lineman Trey Zuhn III visited the Texans earlier this month, according to KPRC2 Sports’ Aaron Wilson. As one of the more versatile linemen in the draft, some teams view the 6-foot-6, 319-pound lineman as an option at center, while others think he’ll be better suited at guard.
Missouri DE Zion Young
According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports, Missouri defensive end-outside linebacker Zion Young visited the Texans on Tuesday last week. Young also had visits with the New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks and his hometown Atlanta Falcons.
A two-year starter for the Tigers in the Southeastern Conference, Young recorded 83 total tackles, nine sacks and three forced fumbles. Last season, the 6-foot-6 defensive end recorded 42 tackles, 9 1/2 for losses, 6 1/2 sacks and two pass breakups last season with one interception.
Young also played for Michigan State before transferring down to Columbia. The Texans have been rumored to target a defensive lineman as depth with the aging style of Danielle Hunter.
Alabama OT Kadyn Proctor
According to KRPC 2 Sports’ Aaron Wilson, the Alabama All-American had a top-30 visit with Houston earlier this month.
Oregon OL Emmanuel Pregnon
According to KRPC 2 Sports’ Aaron Wilson, the former All-Big Ten interior had a top-30 visit with Houston earlier this month. Pregnon is not expected to be a Day 1 pick, but could be the top name to watch for when the Texans are on the clock at pick No. 38.
Texas A&M DT Tyler Onyedim
According to Justin Melo of NFL Draft on SI, the Texans plan to host the veteran defensive tackle prospect as part of their local visits. Onyedim was one of the key players in helping the Aggies reach the College Football Playoff last season.
Ohio State DL Kayden McDonald
According to multiple reports, the All-Big Ten lineman had a visit with the Texans ahead of the draft. Per Aaron Wilson, the Big Ten Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year and consensus first-round draft target had a formal meeting with the Texans at the NFL scouting combine.
McDonald, a Texarkana native who grew up in Georgia, should very much be one of the names on the charts. A dominant inside presence, especially in pass-rushing sets, McDonald operates with great leverage and pad level for timing his reps in one-on-one battles. Last season, McDonald recorded 65 tackles last season for the Buckeyes with three sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
South Carolina DB Jalon Kilgore
According to Sports Illustrated’s NFL Draft website, Justin Melo, the Texans previously hosted the South Carolina defensive back following the combine. Houston could pass on Kilgore now after the signing of Eagles standout defensive back Reed Blankenship.
Texas Tech WR Caleb Douglas
According to multiple reports, the Texans hosted local product and Red Raider standout in Douglas earlier this month. Last season in Lubbock, Douglas caught 54 passes for 846 yards and seven touchdowns. For his career, the 6-foot-3 weapon finished with 135 passes for 2,031 yards and 16 touchdowns between his time at Texas Tech and Florida.
Georgia DL Christen Miller
According to the man himself on NFL Network, which later confirmed by multiple reports, Miller had a top-30 visit with the Texans earlier this month after meeting with Houston at the combine. Miller told Judy Bautista that his first of several visits this spring was to NRG Stadium to meet with the Texans.
A two-year starter for the Bulldogs under Kirby Smart, Miller ended up recording 23 tackles, 10 solos, four tackles for losses, 1.5 sacks and 23 quarterback hurries. Last season in 10 starts, he had 27 tackles with 3.5 for losses and 1.5 sacks.
Miami DB Keionte Scott
According to KPRC 2 Sports’ Aaron Wilson, the Texans hosted the Miami All-ACC defensive back earlier this week. A do-it-all defender who could see reps at the nickel position or safety. Scott returned two interceptions for touchdowns to go along with 64 tackles, 13 tackles for losses, five sacks, five pass breakups and two forced fumbles en route to helping the Hurricanes reach the national championship.
Tennessee TE Miles Kitselman
According to KPRC 2 Sports’ Aaron Wilson, Tennessee tight end Miles Kitselman visited with the Texans on Tuesday as one of the team’s top-30 visits. He’s expected to be a Day 3 pick and potentially a “traditional Y” option at the NFL.
A former Alabama recruit, Kitselman started the past two seasons for the Vols, catching 48 passes for 554 yards and six touchdowns.
Georgia WR Zachariah Branch
According to Sports Illustrated’s NFL Draft blogger Justin Melo, Branch mentioned that he had met with the Texans at his Pro Day in Athens. While wide receiver is not the top need for the Texans, it’s one worth monitoring, especially with the loss on potential starting slot option Tank Dell.
Clemson RB Adam Randall
According to KPRC 2 Sports’ Aaron Wilson, Clemson running back Adam Randall visited with the Texans earlier this month. A former wide receiver-turned-running back. Randall has prototypical tools to be a standout in the pros. Over the last two seasons in the SEC, he finished with 858 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, along with 84 catches for 787 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
Indiana RB Kaelon Black
According to KPRC 2 Sports’ Aaron Wilson, Indiana running back Kaelon Black met with the Texans on Wednesday as one of their top 30 visits.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Tracking Texans’ prospects visits ahead of 2026 NFL draft
Reporting by Cole Thompson, Texans Wire / Texans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
