Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair Earns First NFL Top 100 Ranking, Becomes Houston's First Selection of 2026
- 12 hours ago
- 4 min read
Before diving into this in-depth analysis, make sure to subscribe to the Houston Stressans newsletter for exclusive Texans content, film breakdowns, and insider analysis straight to your inbox! Don't miss out on the latest updates—sign up today
Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair has officially been voted one of the NFL's top players by those who know the game best.
Al-Shaair checked in at No. 92 on the NFL Top 100, making him the first Texans player revealed on this year's list after earning the first Pro Bowl selection of his career last season.
For Al-Shaair, it's another milestone in one of the NFL's most unlikely success stories.
An undrafted free agent out of Florida Atlantic after suffering a torn ACL during his senior season, Al-Shaair had to fight for every opportunity in San Francisco before eventually reuniting with DeMeco Ryans in Houston. Years later, he's no longer just earning a roster spot—he's earning the respect of the entire league.
His peers clearly recognize the impact he has every Sunday.
"I have so much respect for Azeez and how he plays the game. He plays it so fast, so physically, so aggressively. I feel that's a big reason why they've been so dominant this year because of his leadership and the way he plays football." — Former 49ers teammate Kyle Juszczyk
Al-Shaair has always believed he belongs among the NFL's best linebackers.
"I think I'm probably, truthfully, one of the most complete linebackers in the NFL. You gotta know I'm on the field. Whether you know I'm on the field or not, you see that jersey number—you gotta respect it."
Those closest to him echoed that sentiment throughout the NFL Top 100 feature.
Texans tight end Dalton Schultz praised not only Al-Shaair's physicality but also everything that comes with playing middle linebacker in DeMeco Ryans' defense.
"Azeez is a physical dude. When it's between the lines, he's gonna hit the shit out of you... To be a Mike in this style of defense, making all the calls, dropping into deep third, dropping everywhere, athletically you gotta be there, but mentally you gotta really be there too... He's one of my favorite teammates I've ever had."
Raiders linebacker Nakobe Dean admired the edge Al-Shaair brings.
"He brings a little bit more tenacity and nastiness to the game that I like."
Rookie running back Ashton Jeanty called him:
"A menace out there. He plays with a great mentality—downhill, physical."
Inside Houston's locker room, teammates repeatedly pointed to Al-Shaair as the emotional heartbeat of one of the NFL's premier defenses.
Will Anderson Jr.:
"You see him flying around, hitting people. We just feed off it."
Calen Bullock:
"That's the captain. Relentless mindset. He makes sure the whole defense's on the same page."
Derek Stingley Jr.:
"He knows how to talk to each individual player that's on the team."
C.J. Stroud:
"He knows where guys are supposed to be, gets guys right, motivates everybody."
Those comments reinforce something Texans fans have watched develop since Al-Shaair arrived in Houston. While his production speaks for itself, his leadership has become just as valuable. He's become the communicator, tone-setter and emotional leader for a defense that has rapidly established itself among the NFL's elite.
How Many Texans Will Make This Year's List?
Al-Shaair is only the beginning.
Last season, Houston had six players make the NFL Top 100:
The big question now is whether Houston can match—or even surpass—that total.
Several players have strong cases.
Will Anderson Jr. and Derek Stingley Jr. both look capable of climbing into the Top 20, with arguments to even crack the Top 10 after dominant 2025 campaigns.
Where C.J. Stroud lands will also be fascinating after an up-and-down season statistically, though one many inside the league may evaluate differently than the public given the circumstances surrounding Houston's offense.
Then there are emerging stars like Kamari Lassiter and Calen Bullock, who could be legitimate first-time additions after breakout seasons, while veterans like Jalen Pitre and Dalton Schultz could also find themselves on the list following impressive 2025 campaigns.
If those names join the list, the Texans could once again be among the NFL's most represented teams—a reflection of just how much young talent has been assembled under Nick Caserio and DeMeco Ryans.
Recognition Years in the Making
Al-Shaair's selection also comes just days after an outstanding profile by Dan Pompei detailed his remarkable journey to this point.
The feature highlighted stories many fans hadn't heard before, including how Al-Shaair once rode his bike to the 49ers facility early in his career, and how San Francisco still keeps a bike there as a reminder that it's not how you start, but how you finish. It also revealed that DeMeco Ryans was the coach tasked with telling Al-Shaair he would be inactive for the Super Bowl during their time together in San Francisco.
Those moments make today's recognition even more meaningful.
For a player who entered the NFL without hearing his name called on draft weekend, fought back from a devastating ACL injury, and steadily earned the respect of teammates everywhere he's played, being voted among the NFL's Top 100 by his peers is another reminder that his journey has come full circle.
.png)
Comments