2026 NFL Mock Draft: Houston Texans take guard

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 27: Emmanuel Pregnon of Oregon poses for a portrait during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Logan Bowles/Getty Images) | Getty Images Emmanuel Pregnon, OG, Oregon The Houston Texans are the NFL’s youngest franchise, beginning play in 2002, and their early years were marked by steady growing pains. It took nearly a decade for the organization to find postseason success, finally breaking through in 2011 with their first playoff appearance.

That game became a milestone moment, as the Texans defeated the Bengals 31–10, highlighted by rookie defensive end J. J. Watt—selected 11th overall in the 2011 draft—returning an interception 29 yards for a touchdown.

After that initial rise, the franchise experienced one of the darkest stretches in its history from 2020 to 2022. Over those three seasons, the Texans posted a combined record of 11–38–1 and cycled through four head coaches. While the COVID-affected 2020 and 2021 seasons played a role, this period nonetheless represented the lowest point for the team both on and off the field.

The trajectory shifted dramatically in 2023, driven by three pivotal decisions engineered by general manager Nick Caserio, widely praised by the organization as aggressive and progressive. The turnaround began with the hiring of DeMeco Ryans as head coach on January 31, 2023. That spring, the Texans selected quarterback C.