Could the Texans leapfrog into the top 20? Insider trade predictions reveal a bold draft-day move to secure C.J. Stroud's next playmaker.
The Houston Texans are set to pick at No. 28 in the first round of the NFL draft. They may end up drafting higher than that if recent outsider predictions are to be believed.
The Texans are viewed as a team that can climb high in the draft do to a surplus of picks in the first three rounds. One NFL analyst can see them climbing as high as the No. 19 overall pick.
ESPN analyst Bill Barnwell had the Texans getting the No. 19, 83 and 200 pick in exchange for the No. 28, 59 and 106 pick to the Carolina Panthers. Barnwell explained why the trade makes sense for Houston.
"Houston general manager Nick Caserio quietly has a lot of draft capital this year. The former Patriots executive has four Top 70 picks after trading away Laremy Tunsil and moving down a year ago as part of the Giants' move up for Jaxson Dart. Though the Texans don't have a sixth-round pick, they have two fifth rounders and two seventh rounders. And with an exciting core, Caserio might feel like he can afford to be aggressive in moving up for an impact first rounder.
Houston addressed wide receiver by drafting Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel last offseason, but I'm not sure they can stop adding playmakers for C.J. Stroud. Tight end Dalton Schultz is on a one-year deal, and though he is an effective pass catcher, he's not a reliable blocker. The Texans used two-tight end sets at the second-lowest rate in the NFL last season, but I wonder if offensive coordinator Nick Caley noticed what the Rams did by moving toward 13 personnel and might emulate his former employer by getting bigger with his personnel groupings."
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston (1) makes the catch as Houston Texans cornerback Tremon Smith (11) defends during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn ImagesThe Texans lose plenty of value in acquiring the No. 200 pick for the No. 106 pick and the No. 83 pick for the No. 59 pick. That said, should the Texans move high enough to select their top offensive line choice, it could make all the difference for shoring up their offensive line for the 2026 season.
Several mock drafts have the top offensive linemen drafting ahead of the Texans, with the San Francisco 49ers sometimes taking a great lineman at No. 27 right before Houston picks at 28.
The Texans will look to exit the draft with a complete roster for the 2026 season with a solidified offensive line.