Houston Texans Rosterology 2.0: predicting the 2026 53-man roster

The second edition of the roster prediction series is here. The roster is little changed since early June, but the tides still change around NRG as the World Cup comes to an end and training camp gets underway soon.

Similar to how NCAA Basketball’s Bracketology works, I’ll update the below with the Last Four (players) in the roster, the first four out, the biggest riser, and biggest faller. I’ll update this series every other Tuesday until the final 53-man roster is announced on Sunday, August 30th.

Initial Rosterology for 2026 featured several surprising faces including Dominique Robinson, Naquan Jones, and Alijah Huzzie. All three remain on the roster given their place on the depth chart and the lack of true challengers for their role.

Note: Rookies are in bold and UDFAs are italicized

Last Four In:

Jake Hummel, LB

British Brooks, RB/FB

Jake Andrews, OC

Alijah Huzzie, DB

First Four Out:

Justin Watson, WR

Evan Brown, OG/OT

Cade Stover, TE

Jamal Hill, LB

Biggest Riser: Lewis Bond, WR

I’ve never had a rookie in NINE years featured as a biggest riser OR biggest faller, so this is an intriguing scenario to have two rookies as the biggest movers on the roster.

Bond’s rookie minicamp and OTAs report card has been full of A’s as he carved out a role as a route running specialist. As a sixth rounders have hit for the Texans in recent history: Jawhar Jordan, Jarrett Patterson, Xavier Hutchinson, and Jamal Hill are all on the roster. Bond has changed the narrative from if he can make the squat at all to if the Texans can make room for veteran Justin Watson on the roster.

Biggest Faller: Marlin Klein, TE

The offseason narrative has not been positive for the rookie tight end. He’s the first rookie in NINE years of this article series to be named the “Biggest Faller”… even Kenyon Green didn’t have that honor in 2022. Between the intense competition at tight end and his lingering hamstring injury, it has not been a smooth start for Klein. The media and fans are already sour to the Michigan man. He has plenty of time to redeem himself, but there’s no such thing as a redshirt year in the NFL.

Quarterbacks: 2

C.J. Stroud, Davis Mills

CUT: Graham Mertz

Analysis: I predict Houston will only keep two QBs on the roster and designate Mertz to the practice squad with the intention of elevating him up to the roster as the emergency QB throughout the season. Mertz’s development in year two and another season removed from his ACL tear will be an interesting talking point. With Mills facing the last year of his contract, can Mertz present enough of a case to eventually assume the backup QB role?

Running Backs: 4

David Montgomery, Woody Marks, British Brooks, Jawhar Jordan

CUT: Noah Whittington, Josh Pitsenberger, Evan Hull

Analysis: No changes as this groups sits idly by. Whether this group keeps three or four is a question that not enough fans are asking. With the indulgence of options at tight end, the team may need to sacrifice a spot at running back. British Brooks could be at peril in this scenario. The Texans could shift Stover or Moreau to a hybrid tight end/fullback/wingback role that nullifies Brooks’ role on the roster. That decision will play out over the first few weeks of training camp where the offense begins to reveal itself.

Wide Receivers: 6

Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Jayden Higgins, Jaylin Noel, Xavier Hutchinson, Lewis Bond

CUT: Justin Watson, Jared Wayne, Daniel Sobkowics, Jalen Walthall, Treyvhon Saunders, Jha’Quan Jackson

Analysis: Until we see legitimate contribution from Watson in the training camp and pre-season, I cannot advocate for Watson on the roster. After only playing in three games all of 2025, Watson only collected three receptions. He is a complete enigma on this roster and I frankly don’t understand why he is seen as a more viable option than Jared Wayne who had two catches in one game last year. I understand the offensive staff values his blocking and route running, but his speed was completely nonexistent last season before the injury.

If you need an underdog from this group, Jha’Quan Jackson the second-year WR from Tulane is a fun watch. He’s shifty, possesses great contact balance, and will return punts and kickoffs. If Tank Dell can’t go, look for Jackson to sneak onto the roster for some temporary flare.

Tight Ends: 4

Dalton Schultz, Marlin Klein, Foster Moreau, Brevin Jordan

CUT: Cade Stover, Layne Pryor, Louis Hansen

Analysis: Klein may not be public enemy number one, but he’s quickly earning a reputation for himself in Houston. Between the excessive draft capital and minicamp injury, Klein has an uphill battle to not find a role in this offense, but make the roster entirely. Both Cade Stover and Brevin Jordan have no intention of falling down the depth chart or waiting on the practice squad. They enter healthy and ready to compete. Barring injury, only two of the three are slated to make the initial 53-man roster. Jordan gets the nod over Stover as Jordan’s ceiling, while exceptionally fleeting, has been significantly higher than what Stover has demonstrated through two seasons.

One player fans are writing on the roster is veteran Foster Moreau. Even Dalton Schultz “thinks Foster’s been a great addition for us, just bringing the energy, the juice.” What the eight-year veteran will bring is a complexity to the offense that will help evolve Nick Caley’s offense in its second season.

Offensive Lineman: 9

Aireontae Ersery, Braden Smith, Trent Brown, Wyatt Teller, Evan Brown , Blake Fisher, Keylan Rutledge, Febechi Nwaiwu, Ed Ingram

CUT: Jake Andrews, Jarrett Patterson, Eli Cox, Jarrett Kingston, Sam Hagen, James Neal III, Derrick Graham

Analysis: Evan Brown appeared to be a starting candidate throughout minicamp and OTAs, but just barely makes his way onto the roster ahead of Jake Andrews. Brown teeters on the edge of the roster and option depends on decisions such as a third QB or fifth defensive end or a 10th lineman. The battle for the interior offensive line will be fraught with competition. Brown will be at the center of the fray when camp kicks off in a couple weeks.

I am seeing chatter about Blake Fisher not making the roster, mostly due to James Neal III from Iowa State receiving one of the largest guaranteed contracts among Houston’s UDFAs. For now, I cannot see that occurring. Fisher is the backup tackle and swing tackle. If a UDFA can unseat him, then that saves the Texans around $450k.

Defensive Ends: 4

Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter, Dylan Horton, Dominique Robinson

CUT: Solomon Byrd, Ali Gaye, Sabastian Harsh

Analysis: No changes here… until the Texans inevitably add a veteran defensive end. Everyone would love to see the return of Derek Barnett, whose back-to-back five sack seasons were a game changer for this defense. The depth of this group is not as thorough as past seasons, which will force the Texans to lean on Anderson Jr. and Hunter more.

Ali Gaye has returned to the team for his second stint after spending the past two seasons in Tennessee. Gaye is incredibly athletic and has a great frame to rush the passer, but is under-developed and lacks technique. He will compete against 2024 seventh-round pick Solomon Byrd for practice squad reps.

Defensive Tackles: 5

Tommy Togiai, Sheldon Rankins, Kayden McDonald, Logan Hall, Naquan Jones

CUT: Junior Tafuna, Dominic Bailey, Kyonte Hamilton

Analysis: A ton of trust is being placed in Logan Hall and Naquan Jones to come in, develop, and contribute. They replace reliable veterans Denico Autry, Tim Settle Jr., and Mario Edwards.

2025 UDFA Junior Tafuna and seventh-rounder Kyonte Hamilton can compete for that final defensive line spot occupied by Jones. Jones contributed early in 2025 when many of the above veterans were out injured. He carried himself well, but was immediately relegated upon their return. He is one to watch early to examine what tier of players he’s grouped with in training camp to determine his standing on the roster.

Linebackers: 5

Henry To’oTo’o, Azeez Al-Shaair, Wade Woodaz, Jake Hansen, Jake Hummel

IR: E.J. Speed

CUT: Jamal Hill, Marte Mapu, Aiden Fisher, K.C. Ossai

Analysis: The initial Rosterology included E.J. Speed on IR and consisted of Woodaz, Hansen, and Hill as the backups. The first days of training camp will shine a light onto how the veterans stack up against one another. The Texans will love a gritty, special-teams ace such as Hummel. The value of a scheme-versatile player like Mapu will be high for the defense. Then again, the continuity of Jake Hansen will be imperative with the loss of Speed.

I’ve swapped Hummel for Hill in this edition. Hill’s hand injury may limit him early in training camp. Mapu hasn’t generated much buzz from the Texans’ coaching staff since arriving in Houston via trade from New England. Could Mapu and Hill be considered locks and be swapped for a depth cornerback? Possibly in future editions.

Cornerbacks: 5

Derek Stingley Jr. Kamari Lassiter, Jaylin Smith, Tremon Smith, Alijah Huzzie

CUT: Ja’Marcus Ingram, Brandon Codrington, Stephen Hall, Collin Wright

Analysis: Until I see otherwise, Alijah Huzzie has earned a roster spot. UDFA Collin Wright from Stanford deserves a shout out as a prospect who was a three-year starter at outside corner who could play inside if needed. Huzzie is a slot-only option and played at the end of the season after being a UDFA himself. The fifth and final corner spot will be a special teams player with the opportunity to grow into a backup given the right opportunity.

Safeties: 6

Reed Blankenship, Calen Bullock, Jalen Pitre, Kamari Ramsey, M.J. Stewart, Jaylen Reed

CUT: Kevon Merriweather

Analysis: Stewart was re-signed this offseason after a season-ending injury. His health has been of concern for multiple seasons, but his versatility across the defense has been an unquestionable balm to this defense. He will compete with rookie Kamari Ramsey for a role in this secondary. Ramsey’s own versatility is quite different; he can play as the fifth defensive back or even a nickel role similar to Jalen Pitre. As the defense evolves, Ramsey will grow into the defense as a depth piece and situational optimization of the defense based on the scheme and opposition.

Kai Kroeger, Kai’mi Fiarbairn, Austin Brinkman

CUT: P Jack Stonehouse

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