All-American Running Back Mocked to the Texans in Recent Mock Draft

Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy established himself as a premier player in the nation last season. Now, he looks to cement his status as a first-round prospect heading into 2026. If all goes well, he could be an ideal selection for the Houston Texans next April. Athlon Sports writer Luke Easterling saw this and mocked the pairing in his recent mock draft.

Obviously, it’s too early to declare Hardy as a perfect fit for the Texans. He’s rehabbing from an injury this offseason and has to perform well next year. However, his mix of explosiveness and power makes him a dream addition for CJ Stroud’s offense. Easterling notes this in his article.

“On the field, his talent jumps off the tape, and he’s exactly the kind of versatile, big-play back who could take the Houston offense to another level,” Easterling wrote. “If he’s back to full strength, Hardy could be a valuable addition to an already promising offense.”

Hardy burst onto the national scene last year with 1,648 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns in his first season with the Tigers, spending his freshman season at Louisiana Monroe. He easily adjusted to the higher SEC competition, which should make NFL teams optimistic about his transition to the next level.

Few running backs are more explosive than Hardy. He has incredible short-area quickness and is a rapid accelerator. This helps him burst through a gap and instantly reach the second level. Additionally, he has blazing long speed that makes him a constant home run threat. All it takes is one blown assignment for him to be in the endzone.

This alone is great. But Hardy’s ability to make defenders miss is what separates him from the competition. He forced 97 missed tackles in 2025, second nationally. His elite contact balance helps him absorb contact and effortlessly bounce away from it. This, paired with his combination of elusiveness and power, makes him a nightmare for defenders to tackle.

The Texans already have a franchise quarterback and an impressive wide receiver room. However, they are missing a dynamic presence at running back. Woody Marks currently holds down the position, and he’s a great player, but he won’t elevate an offense. As a result, drafting Hardy early would make sense next offseason.

Plenty can, and will change before April. But Ahmad Hardy is already an intriguing prospect that Texans fans should watch closely throughout the upcoming season. If all goes well, he could be a perfect addition during the draft.