Texans target elite cornerbacks and defensive tackles on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft, bolstering a strength despite offensive concerns.
The Houston Texans have been praised heavily for their defense. It is one of the most dominant units in the NFL, but there are some holes that can be addressed throughout the remainder of the 2026 offseason. Houston has already addressed the safety spot by signing Reed Blankenship, and Logan Hall was an interesting addition along the defensive line. However, there is some more work to do when it comes to acquiring depth.
ESPN recently published a piece discussing the team's needs and prospects who could fill them outside the first round. The players mentioned were mostly considered Day 2 guys, which fits for the Texans, as the organization has two second-round picks. Beat writer DJ Bien-Aime mentioned that cornerback might be considered a weakness, especially when it comes to depth, "With cornerback, it's more about depth, just in case Jalen Pitre, Derek Stingley Jr or Kamari Lassiter suffer an injury."
Stingley, Lassiter, and Pitre are an elite trio when it comes to the cornerback position, but if one of those players goes down, the Texans could be in some trouble. The cornerback room behind those guys is not that impressive, which is why cornerback could be considered a position to target on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Matt Miller of ESPN was able to match Houston with a prospect that could fix the depth at cornerback for Houston, and he chose cornerback Chris Johnson out of San Diego State, "Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State. With two second-round picks and one in the third, the Texans can be serious about attacking this deep cornerback class. At 6-foot, 193 pounds, Johnson ran a 4.40 at the combine and has the length to be a nuisance to NFL wide receivers."
Johnson has the proper build to be a good cornerback at the NFL level, and his speed, combined with that, is something that makes him an attractive prospect. Houston has plenty of draft capital on Day 2 to find a way to acquire the cornerback. This would provide the team with great depth, while also giving the franchise a young player that could develop into an above-average starter.
Houston also could use some youth at defensive tackle, and a defensive focus throughout the start of the 2026 NFL Draft may confuse some fans, as the offense appears to be more of a pressing need. However, the organization has built its identity on defense, and it is important to keep that side of the ball strong and young.