Texans Place Six Players in ESPN's Annual NFL Top-10 Position Rankings

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The Houston Texans continue to establish themselves as one of the NFL's premier rosters.

According to ESPN's annual survey of more than 70 league executives, coaches and scouts, the Texans finished with six top-10 players across the 11 position groups ranked, trailing only the Lions (9), Eagles (8) and Chiefs (7). Houston's six selections were tied for the fourth-most in the NFL.

Texans' Top-10 Players

• Will Anderson Jr. — Edge Rusher

• Danielle Hunter — Edge Rusher

• Derek Stingley Jr. — Cornerback

• Kamari Lassiter — Honorable Mention at Cornerback

• Azeez Al-Shaair — Linebacker

• Nico Collins — Wide Receiver

• Calen Bullock — Safety

• Jalen Pitre — Honorable Mention at Safety

  
  

While honorable mentions don't count toward the total of six top-10 players, both Kamari Lassiter and Jalen Pitre were recognized among the league's best at their respective positions.

The rankings further validate what many around the league already believe: Houston has assembled one of football's most talented young cores.

The Texans were represented at every level of DeMeco Ryans' defense, with Anderson and Hunter forming one of the NFL's elite pass-rushing duos, Stingley emerging as arguably the league's premier cornerback, Al-Shaair earning recognition among linebackers and Bullock developing into one of football's top young free safeties. Pitre also received praise despite playing a hybrid STAR/big nickel role that makes him difficult to classify as a traditional safety.

Offensively, Nico Collins was Houston's lone representative after another dominant campaign that solidified him as one of the NFL's premier wide receivers.

With six top-10 players and additional young talent still ascending, the Texans continue to receive validation that their roster belongs among the league's elite entering the 2026 season.