Another day, another mock draft surrounding the Houston Texans.
This one, however, might be the strangest one yet compared to others around the NFL.
ESPN’s Jordan Reid released his seven-round 2026 NFL mock draft on Monday, predicting all 257 picks. For the Texans’ eight picks, one would assume that two of the first three picks would be in some combination of interior defensive line, right?
Well, not quite for Reid.
Reid’s mock draft has Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor falling to Houston late in Round 1. In recent weeks, the Crimson Tide offensive lineman has been considered a top 20 lock, but given a late run on offensive tackles, the 6-foot-7 lineman landed for Nick Caserio to nab near the end of Thursday night.
“Offensive line has been a constant need for the Texans, and the 6-foot-7, 352-pound Proctor might have the most upside of any blocker in this class,” Reid wrote. “Along with being massive, he’s a heavy-handed blocker who generates movement with ease. There are questions about Proctor’s conditioning and whether he fits better as a tackle or a guard in the NFL, but the Texans need help up front after finishing last in run block win rate and 30th in pass block win rate last season.”
Proctor had an uneven 2025 season at Alabama, which made some scouts wary of his overall foot quickness against twitchy edge rushers. But there is zero debate about his power and size, which could be crucial for Houston’s rushing attack. The Texans were last in run block win rate in 2025.
An All-American left tackle for the Crimson Tide during his three seasons under Nick Saban and Kalen DeBoer, Proctor’s arrival would likely serve as a sign that the Texans plan on addressing several needs in free agency. Right now, both center and right guard should be areas worthy of improvement, while the status of Trent Brown’s potential return could at least give veteranship on the right side of the line.
As for the rest of the draft, Reid went defense, though not at the positions one would automatically assume are ideal fits. At No. 38, Houston targeted a future replacement for Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter with Missouri pass-rusher Zion Young.
“Even though the Texans already have Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr., they can build on a strength by adding Young. With 6.5 sacks last season, Young is a long-striding pass rusher who displays flashes of potential,” Reid wrote. “He is also a violent-handed run defender who is able to routinely shock and shed blockers at the point of attack. He can be a rotational edge player as he works on diversifying his pass-rush plans.”
Later in Round 2, Houston shored up the linebacker spot, adding fellow Missouri star Josiah Trotter.
“Trotter might be the best run-defending linebacker in this year’s class,” Reid wrote. “His instincts allow him to decipher run concepts, but he must become more consistent in coverage.”
To close out Day 2, Reid has the Texans targeting a cornerback with Arizona State’s Keith Abney. Much like Trotter and Young, the picks would be more for the future since Kamari Lassiter could play his way out of a deal.
“Abney is a perfect fit in Houston’s physical defense, with an attitude and a competitive level that never shuts off,” Reid wrote. “He finished last season with two interceptions.”
You can view all of Reid’s picks for Houston below, and his full NFL mock draft on ESPN.com.
ESPN’s 7-round mock draft for Texans
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans 7-round NFL mock draft: Houston lands two surprise defensive prospects on Day 2
Reporting by Cole Thompson, Texans Wire / Texans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
