Should the Texans draft Nicholas Singleton?
One of the most disputed prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft is Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton. He was viewed as one of the top returning players in college football prior to the season; however, a disastrous 2025 campaign plummeted his stock. Despite this, he’s still an enticing player whose elite athleticism and explosiveness make him a dynamic option for a team. Because of this, he could be a perfect mid-round target for the Houston Texans, who desperately need another playmaker offensively.
Singleton had his least productive season in 2025 with 547 yards and 13 touchdowns. Additionally, his yards after contact decreased significantly, from 3.63 yards his first three seasons, to 2.69 last year. This lack of production could either stem from a dysfunctional offense at Penn State, thus causing him little opportunities, or that it was simply a bad season. Regardless of the reason, NFL teams will be skeptical and look for clear answers while interviewing him. These talks will be crucial in establishing his stock in April.
Things only got worse for Singleton while in Mobile, AL, at the Senior Bowl. Scouts had high hopes for him before the event, and he did impress in his limited chances, but sadly fractured his right foot. This caused him to miss the rest of the Senior Bowl, the NFL Combine, and working out for top-30 visits. Now, teams will have to rely solely on the tape and interviews to determine if they want to grab Singleton.
Regardless of everything mentioned above, Singleton still should be an intriguing option for the Texans. Houston has a major need at running back. Woody Marks is a great contributor, but the depth behind him is subpar. Nick Chubb and Joe Mixon were solid in 2025, but both have injury concerns, and their future with the Texans is uncertain. Because of this, grabbing another running back in the draft is a necessity.
Singleton is an athletic freak. He ranked number 19 on Bruce Feldman’s Freak List and has been timed running a sub 4.35 40-yard dash. He has amazing burst and short-area quickness that help him accelerate and fly past defenders. These qualities make him a constant big-play threat that a defense must respect. Additionally, he’s a threat as a receiver. He thrives in the screen game and has reliable hands for a running back.
Singleton isn’t the most elusive player, but he can still make plays in space. He’s tough to bring down and keeps his legs churning after first contact. He is constantly fighting for the extra yards and always falls forward. Although this largely goes unnoticed, it’s an enticing trait for a running back.
Overall, Nicholas Singleton had a rough 2025 campaign, but he is still a viable mid-round option for the Texans. Selecting him on day three would be immense value and would form a dynamic tandem with him and Woody Marks.