ESPN Ranks Texans' Roster No. 9 Entering 2026, Citing Elite Pass Rush and Questions Up Front
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The Houston Texans remain one of the NFL's most respected teams entering the 2026 season.
In ESPN's annual preseason roster rankings, compiled by Mike Clay, Aaron Schatz and Seth Walder, the Texans checked in at No. 9 overall. The rankings evaluated every team's projected roster heading into training camp, with Houston earning praise for its dominant pass rush while offensive line uncertainty prevented an even higher placement.
Edge Rush Headlines Houston's Strengths
Perhaps unsurprisingly, ESPN identified edge rusher as the Texans' biggest strength, narrowly choosing it over an equally talented cornerback room.
The publication pointed to Houston producing at least 46 sacks for three consecutive seasons, led by one of the NFL's premier duos.
Danielle Hunter continues to perform at an elite level, recording 15 sacks in 2025 while moving into third among active players with 114.5 career sacks since entering the league in 2015.
Across from him, Will Anderson Jr. continues his rapid ascent toward superstardom. Anderson finished second in the NFL with 62 pass rush wins last season, reinforcing why many around the league now view him as one of football's elite edge defenders.
That recognition comes just one day after ESPN's survey of league executives, coaches and scouts ranked Anderson as the NFL's No. 3 edge rusher and Hunter No. 6.
Offensive Line Remains the Biggest Question
While Houston made significant investments in the offensive line this offseason, ESPN still views the group as the roster's biggest concern.
The Texans finished last season ranked last in run block win rate and 30th in pass block win rate, prompting an aggressive offseason overhaul.
Veterans Wyatt Teller, Evan Brown and Braden Smith were added, while first-round pick Keylan Rutledge gives Houston another young option inside.
The belief is the unit should improve in 2026, but ESPN noted there's still considerable uncertainty until the group proves itself on the field.
The Running Game Could Define the Season
Seth Walder identified Houston's rushing attack as the roster's biggest X-factor.
The Texans ranked near the bottom of the NFL in rushing efficiency last season, putting additional pressure on C.J. Stroud and the passing game.
The additions of David Montgomery, along with multiple offensive line changes, could dramatically change the offense if Houston can finally establish a consistent ground game.
If the run game takes a step forward, it could have a ripple effect throughout the offense by creating more favorable situations for Stroud and helping Nick Caley's system operate as intended.
A Few Projected Starters Raise Eyebrows
One part of ESPN's exercise worth taking with a grain of salt is the projected starting lineup.
Projecting depth charts in early July is difficult, particularly for national analysts covering all 32 teams, and Houston's projection included several notable surprises.
Tank Dell was listed as a starting receiver despite still working his way back from a devastating knee injury. While Dell returning to form would be a tremendous outcome, his availability remains one of the biggest storylines entering training camp.
At tight end, Cade Stover was projected as the No. 2 option. That projection feels aggressive given Houston's current depth chart. Dalton Schultz remains the clear starter, while free-agent addition Foster Moreau and rookie Marlin Klein are both expected to compete for significant snaps. Stover enters camp fighting to secure his role and could realistically begin the season fourth on the depth chart.
The offensive line projection also included rookie Keylan Rutledge starting at left guard with Wyatt Teller at right guard and Jake Andrews at center. While Rutledge will certainly compete for playing time, many expect Teller to lock down one guard spot immediately, with Evan Brown and Andrews battling at center with Rutledge who many expect to win the job, and Ed Ingram also remaining firmly as starting right guard.
Defensively, Logan Hall was projected as a starting defensive tackle despite spending much of the offseason viewed as a versatile rotational piece capable of playing both inside and on the edge. Rookie second-round pick Kayden McDonald could ultimately push for meaningful snaps alongside Tommy Togiai and Sheldon Rankins.
None of those projections should overshadow the larger takeaway, however. The exact starting lineup will sort itself out over the coming weeks, and projecting 32 NFL rosters months before Week 1 is an impossible task. The more meaningful conclusion is that ESPN still views Houston as one of the league's 10 most talented rosters, powered by one of football's best pass-rushing units while acknowledging the offensive line remains the biggest variable entering 2026.
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