We made it to the finish line.
The Houston Texans have been busy this offseason building a roster good enough to go on a run toward their first Super Bowl. They’ve shored up the defensive backfield, tweaked the offensive line and made moves that will build a roster good enough to compete for the next four to five years.
The final steps? Ensuring quarterback C.J. Stroud lives up to his full potential and drafting the future stars that will ensure a Lombardi Trophy comes home to the newly renamed Reliant Stadium before this regime calls it a career. That starts on Thursday night when the Texans are on the clock at pick No. 28.
Or will Houston move back from the end of Round 1 to shore up more draft compensation? If general manager Nick Caserio has his way, it’s more than likely that it becomes a reality.
After more than three dozen fake mock drafts, countless phone calls and surveys among fans, it’s time for Texans Wire to drop its final mock draft. Given the information on the players who met with the team, plus the immediate and long-term needs, we’re safe to say this will be the most accurate mock draft found among Texans fandom.
Using the Pro Football Network draft simulator, this is how we think the weekend will go. Houston will still have four picks within the top 100, but given Caserio’s background and willingness to move back early to move up late, not every pick will come at Nos. 28, 38, 59 and 69 as listed entering Thursday.
Ok, no more wasting time. Let’s see the next crop of Texans’ players ready to join the AFC South franchise.
TRADE!: Arizona moves up for QB2
The Texans were willing to help the New York Giants last offseason land the No. 2 QB in the draft with Jaxson Dart. Here, Caserio and Monti Ossenfort do business once again, swapping future 2027 picks along with an added Day 3 selection on Saturday.
Official trade: Arizona sends Texans picks No. 34, No. 104 and a 2027 third-round pick for pick No. 28 and a 2027 sixth-round pick.
Round 2, Pick No. 38: Georgia DL Christen Miller
The Texans could have taken Kayden McDonald out of Ohio State at No. 28, but knowing he was falling into the end of Day 2, they played the waiting game. At the end of Round 1, the New York Giants jumped up with New England to find their replacement for Dexter Lawrence under new head coach John Harbaugh.
With a need for a high upside run defender who can improve in time in the pass rush, Miller was the obvious pick of the names left on the board. He met with the Texans for a formal visit at the combine earlier this offseason and flew down to speak with the team last month. A two-year starter at Georgia, the 6-foot-3, 321-pound defender was the anchor of Kirby Smart’s defense en route to two conference titles and a pair of College Football Playoff appearances, racking up 64 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and four sacks in the past three years.
Entering 2026, Miller should be viewed as a development 3-techique with versatility to shift inside on run defense sets. He is at his best working against combo blocks while controlling 1-on-1 battles against guards and centers. Given the Texans already have Sheldon Rankins and Tommy Togiai, he’d be a welcome addition for depth that should fight for playing time on run downs.
Caserio loves the Southeastern Conference players, primarily from Alabama and Georgia. Landing another Bulldog to pair with Kamari Lassiter. It just means more, right?
Round 2, Pick No. 38: Georgia Tech OL Keylan Rutledge
The Peach State is so nice that Houston went back twice.
While three-time Pro Bowler Wyatt Teller inked a two-year deal this offseason, he’s battled injury and dealt with regression over the past two campaigns. He’ll be the starter at left guard Week 1, but given his past of missing time, it would be wise for Houston to at least consider an interior offensive lineman with one of their top 40 selection.
Rutledge has been a name in recent weeks that’s gained traction for the Texans. He’s the ideal fit as a run blocker, which seems to be a priority for Houston’s revamped offensive line under Nick Caley this offseason, and looked poised in pass protection while anchoring Brent Key’s line in front of Haynes King. The 6-4, 318-pound lineman didn’t allow a sack in over 400 pass block reps last season and has position flexibility, having tested at guard and center during his lone season in Atlanta.
Rutledge is the type of guy you want on your side in a bar fight. Scout applauded him for his toughness and aggressive play style in run blocking. He won’t throw the first punch, but he’s built like someone who has no problem throwing a pest out through a window.
Round 2, Pick No. 59: Alabama WR Germie Bernard
Last week, when asked about the status of wide receiver Tank Dell, Caserio didn’t seem committed to the idea that the former speedster would be 100 percent for the regular season. After further conversations with people around close to the team, the consensus notion seems to be that Houston plans on adding a receiver earlier than expected.
Arguably the most slept-on receiver in the Southeastern Conference, Bernard lived up to the billing as a game-changing pass-catcher for Alabama’s offense on the way back to the postseason. After following Kalen DeBoer to Tuscaloosa from Washington, Bernard broke out last fall as Ty Simpson’s top target, collecting 64 passes for 862 yards and nine total touchdowns.
Scout compared the 6-foot-1 receiver to Robert Woods, a strong run blocker and smooth route-runner who relies on timely routes and above-average footwork to win against receivers. He can also be used in jet sweeps and motions, thus opening up his value in Caley’s offensive personnel out of the backfield.
Trade!: Tampa Bay wants a new LaVonte David
Here comes Caserio again making deals. By moving back eight spots, the Texans pick up an extra pick on Day 3 to help make a move later on. As for the Buccaneers? Missouri linebacker Josiah Trotter comes off the board to replace LaVonte David up the middle.
Official trade: Tampa Bay sends Texans picks No. 77, No. 117 for pick No. 69
Round 3, Pick No. 77 (VIA TB): Auburn C Connor Lew
Right now, Jake Andrews is slotted to play center in Week 1 for Houston after a decent year in Cole Popovich’s system. We say Week 1 because if Lew can return to his junior season form with the Texans, the franchise might have found its next Pro Bowl lineman.
Lew was considered a fringe Day 1 prospect entering the year, but a torn ACL suffered in October stunted his draft stock. A team captain and two-year starter with the Tigers, the All-SEC lineman has been regarded as athletic and quick, and strong at the point of attack and capable of getting to the second level. He’s been one of the conference’s top run blockers and should improve in time on pass protection sets against faster defensive tackles.
Last month at the NFL Combine, he bench pressed 225 pounds 31 times, the most of any center. After meeting with teams at Auburn’s Pro Day, the sense is he’ll be cleared for contact entering the start of training camp.
This is the ideal player for Caley’s offense, but all the keywords regarding his career are what should sell Caserio on making the pick.
TRADE!: Caserio goes up for his guy
Official trade: Houston sends Panthers picks No. 104, No. 117 for pick No. 83
Round 3, Pick No. 83 (VIA CAR): Vanderbilt TE Eli Stowers
While the Texans have Dalton Schultz under contract, they have to start looking for a second option in the passing game that can be stable as a blocker. When lined up in the slot, Stowers showed he was a willing hitter for run protection. He also served as a security blanket for Heisman Trophy runner-up Diego Pavia for three seasons between stops at New Mexico State and in Nashville.
Yes, the Texans would love a better blocking option, but if Caley likes him, he deserves to have a say. After all, remember Rob Gronkowski? Remember who worked with him in New England?
Round 4, Pick No. 106: Texas DB Malik Muhammad
Even with the return of second-year defensive back Jaylin Smith, Houston needs depth behind Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter. It was a weak position in 2025 and given that Lassiter could also be testing the market later on in his career, finding someone with starting upside could be welcomed.
Muhammad could be the perfect fit for Ryans and as competition for Smith. At 6-foot-1, he has all of the criteria to fit in a physical cover scheme that will allow him to work near the line of scrimmage and in off-ball sets. The former Longhorn could use some help in run tackling, but he’s getting drafted to be a backup for the start of his career.
Round 5, No. 141: Michigan EDGE Jaishawn Barham
The Texans might have added Dominique Robinson this offseason, but he feels more like a Darrell Taylor-type pick-up. They’ve yet to replace Derek Barnett as a No. 4 option, so expect an edge to come off the board at some point on Day 3. Barham is known for his speed over size. He’s been someone who can play the run, work in coverage and excel on speed packages as a blitzer. Time will tell if his frame will translate over to the NFL, but the Texans at least can say they addressed the position in the offseason.
Round 5, No. 167: Miami OL Anez Cooper
Everything is about adding depth to the trenches. Cooper, a three-year starter for the Hurricanes, is a stout, physical presence that uses his massive frame to slow down defenders early in the rep. He’s a limited player, often using his frame to win over his athletic skills, but there’s a role for him to compete for reps at both right and left guard. Worst-case scenario, Cooper becomes the next Juice Scruggs for two or three years before being shipped out for a proven player.
Round 7, Pick No. 243: Texas A&M RB Le’Veon Moss
Finding a hard-nose running back that will fight through contact should be a priority late for Houston and Moss fits the bill. There’s nothing flashy on tape, but Moss consistently keeps his feet moving after colliding with defenders. This is a blue-collar runner who’s more than capable of keeping drives alive and taking on a decent workload.
FINAL DRAFT SELECTIONS
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans Wire Final Mock Draft: Houston double dips in state of Georgia for trench play
Reporting by Cole Thompson, Texans Wire / Texans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
