2026 NFL mock draft roundup: Texans boost up trenches, but what side?

At the end of the day, one pick won’t define the Houston Texans’ 2026 season, but the notion of missing out on an offensive lineman once again could make or break for the Texans once more.

With the Seattle Seahawks claiming their second Super Bowl title following a 29-13 win over the New England Patriots, the offseason is underway and all 32 teams know where they’re picking for the 2026 NFL Draft.

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Houston once again finds itself coming up short, this time picking 28th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft after going 12-5. C.J. Stroud is back for another season, but he’ll need to prove his value as potentially the long-term answer at quarterback following a disastrous postseason appearance.

The Texans don’t have any glaring needs on defense, depending on the status of a new deal with defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins ahead of free agency, but the offense, mostly the offensive line, will no doubt be the biggest focus for general manager Nick Caserio this offseason. Shoring up the interior trenches, in particular, is a glaring need, but right tackle could also be a position to monitor since the Texans could shift Tytus Howard to right guard full-time.

As the NFL combine officially comes to an end, players are separating themselves as legit Day 1 selections and potential late-round steals. Who is in play for Houston at No. 28?

Texans Wire has rounded up the latest 2026 NFL mock drafts, where experts believe the Texans will more than likely shore up the trenches should they stay in the first-round, and three names that constantly seem to appear as the favorites to call NRG Stadium home for the long haul.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. – Notre Dame RB Jadarian Price

From Kiper: “Per ESPN Research, this would be the fourth time two running backs from the same school both went in Round 1 — and the first time since 2008, when Arkansas’ Darren McFadden and Felix Jones were Day 1 selections. But just because Price was second on the Fighting Irish’s depth chart to Jeremiyah Love doesn’t mean he can’t be an RB1 in the NFL. He’s a powerful runner who plays a one-cut-and-go brand of football. There are ball security concerns (four lost fumbles over three years), and we haven’t seen a ton from him as a pass catcher, but Price is dynamic. He ran for 11 touchdowns, caught two TD passes and scored two more times on kickoff returns last season.”

NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah – Utah OT Caleb Lomu

From Jeremiah: “Lomu pairs with Aireontae Ersery to give the Texans young bookends to build around on the offensive line.”“

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein – Ohio State DL Kayden McDonald

From Zierlein: “Houston needs help on the offensive line, but the best available prospect in this scenario could be a defensive lineman. McDonald is an ascending talent with the “SWARM” mentality DeMeco Ryans looks for.”

Texans Wire’s Cole Thompson – Florida DL Caleb Banks

From Thompson: “Given the need for a long-term option at defensive tackle, Houston could pivot away from the offensive trenches and nab a steal at No. 28 with Banks. An impressive combine showing, plus his raw potential as a run blocker, should fit in well with the “SWARM” persona DeMeco Ryans loves in defensive talent. As a pass-rusher, Banks could give the Texans an uptick in pressure rates that makes the front seven a lethal quartet of giants terrorizing quarterbacks regularly.”

USA Today’s Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz – Clemson OT Blake Miller

From Middlehurst-Schwartz: “Even with the strides made in pass protection last year, the Texans still seem at least a little unsettled up front. Keeping Tytus Howard at left guard might be the optimal route for Houston, but doing so would create some uncertainty at right tackle. The ultra-reliable Miller, who started for four years at Clemson, could step in as the final piece of the puzzle.”

NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks – Florida DL Caleb Banks

From Brooks: “Banks’ superior size, strength and disruptive potential would enhance a front that already features a pair of wildly destructive bookends on the edges.”

The Athletic’s Scott Dochterman – Georgia OT Monroe Freeling

From Dochterman – “Can somebody please protect C.J. Stroud? It’s step one in reclaiming his breakout rookie season. Freeling is a good start. He lived at right tackle for the Bulldogs and can still add some weight but played his way into the first-round conversation over just 16 career starts. He can grow as a run blocker, but he’d give the Texans some needed help on the edge.”

CBS Sports Garrett Podell – Clemson OT Blake Miller

From Podell: “C.J. Stroud could use upgrades along the offensive line, especially with right tackle Trent Brown set to hit free agency. Miller, who played the position at Clemson, possesses the ideal build and adequate agility to block speedy edge rushers, using his handwork and wingspan to redirect them. He can also anchor against power moves like bull rushes and is quick enough to handle games (twists and stunts). Miller could improve at getting to the second level in the run game, but he can provide immediate help in Houston.”

Yahoo Sports’ Nate Tice – Alabama OL Kaydn Proctor

From Tice: “The Texans’ offensive line is still a problem, so Houston can take a massive swing here to fix it with the 6-foot-7, 370-pound Proctor. He has to answer questions about his conditioning, but if he can stay in shape at the next level he has a chance to tap into the athleticism that has scouts and fans so excited about his upside.”

PFF’s Dalton Wasserman – Georgia OT Monroe Freeling

From Wasserman: “The Texans are in a position to take the best available offensive lineman with this pick. That could be Georgia’s Monroe Freeling, who earned an excellent 85.6 PFF pass-blocking grade while allowing just nine pressures in 2025.”

NBC Sports Eric Froton – Georgia OT Monroe Freeling

From Froton: “Freeling enters the 2026 NFL Draft as one of the most experienced and efficient blindside protectors in the SEC, logging 881 reps at left tackle for UGA. As a pass protector, his 2025 pass-block grade jumped to 85.6 with only nine total pressures allowed, reflecting his competence in true pass sets. Freeling has been rising up draftboards as a plug-and-play left tackle prospect whose low-pressure rate and snap volume translate cleanly to the next level, though continued refinement in run-block consistency and play strength will determine whether he settles in as a long-term franchise starter.”

Fox Sports Henry McKenna – Florida DL Caleb Banks

From McKenna: “Banks showed what he can be in 2024. It was just that a foot injury in 2025 got in the way of the prospect peaking at the right time. But perhaps that’s to Houston’s benefit, as the Texans could land a blue-chip interior pass-rusher.”

Sporting News Vinne Iyer – Oregon OL Emmanuel Pregnon

From Iyer: “The Texans’ weak offensive line might lose average right guard Ed Ingram in free agency and needs more youthful talent upgrades. Pregnon moves so well for such a physical, nasty presence inside.”

Athlon Sports Luke Easterling – Alabama OT Kaydn Proctor

From Easterling: “If the Texans want to go deeper in the playoffs than they have the last few years, they’ll need to invest in their offensive line to keep C.J. Stroud playing at his best. Proctor still needs a ton of polish from a technical standpoint, but he’s got rare physical gifts for his size, giving him unlimited potential. With some patience and the right coaching, he could eventually develop into a dominant blocker with All-Pro capabilities.”

Draft Network’s Keith Sanchez – Clemson DL Peter Woods

From Sanchez: “Peter Woods to the Houston Texans at pick 28 will be one of the steals of the draft. Woods, a quick-twitch, powerful defensive tackle, should thrive in this attacking defense. Adding him along with Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter should make this defense even more unstoppable.”

Pro Football Network’s Jacob Infante – Ohio State DL Kayden McDonald

From Infante: “Kayden McDonald is a thickly built defender with a 1-technique’s body but the pass-rushing chops of a 3-technique. He’s a powerful interior defender who can two-gap well with a sturdy anchor and good spatial awareness against the run, but he also has some juice coming off the line of scrimmage for such a big man.”

NFL.com’s Gennaro Filice – Florida DL Caleb Banks

From Filice: “After missing most of last season with a foot injury, Banks revitalized his draft stock with an eye-opening performance at the Senior Bowl. A striking specimen at 6-6 and 330 pounds with 35-inch arms, Banks has game-wrecking potential on the interior. Putting him between Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter would make Houston’s ferocious defense even scarier.”

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: 2026 NFL mock draft roundup: Texans going OT or DT in Round 1?