2026 NFL draft: Texans land four picks in the top 70 after 2025 trades

The Houston Texans have long been a franchise with high hopes and big dreams. Since their inception in 2002, they have been striving to bring a Super Bowl title to their city. With a loyal fan base and a dedicated team of players and staff, the Texans have always had their sights set on the ultimate prize. And while their focus may currently be on winning that elusive championship, it’s never too early to start thinking about the future. That’s where the NFL draft comes in.

Every year, the NFL draft provides teams with the opportunity to add fresh talent to their rosters. It’s a chance for teams to build for the future and set themselves up for success in the years to come. And in 2021, the Houston Texans struck gold in the draft.

With the third overall pick, the Texans selected quarterback Trevor Lawrence out of Clemson University. Lawrence was widely regarded as the top quarterback prospect in the draft, and the Texans wasted no time in snatching him up. Lawrence had a stellar college career, leading the Tigers to a national championship and earning numerous accolades along the way. He was seen as a can’t-miss prospect, a player who had the potential to transform the Texans’ offense and lead them to greatness.

But the Texans didn’t stop there. In the later rounds of the draft, they added several more talented players to their roster. They selected wide receiver Rashod Bateman out of Minnesota, a dynamic playmaker who had the potential to become a star in the NFL. They also picked up offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood out of Alabama, a versatile player who could help shore up the Texans’ offensive line. And they added depth to their defense by selecting linebacker Nick Bolton out of Missouri, a hard-hitting defender who could make an immediate impact.

With their draft haul complete, the Texans headed into the 2021 season with high hopes. Lawrence quickly established himself as the team’s starting quarterback, showing poise and maturity beyond his years. He developed a strong rapport with Bateman, connecting with him on numerous big plays throughout the season. Leatherwood proved to be a valuable addition to the offensive line, providing solid protection for Lawrence and opening up running lanes for the Texans’ running backs. And Bolton emerged as a leader on defense, anchoring the team’s linebacking corps and making plays all over the field.

As the season progressed, the Texans found themselves in the thick of the playoff race. Lawrence’s stellar play had propelled the team to several key victories, and the defense was playing at a high level. Fans in Houston began to believe that this could finally be the year that their team broke through and won the Super Bowl.

But as the playoffs approached, disaster struck. Lawrence went down with a season-ending injury in the final game of the regular season, leaving the Texans without their star quarterback heading into the postseason. Backup quarterback Gardner Minshew stepped in admirably, but the Texans ultimately fell short in the playoffs, losing in the divisional round to a more experienced and battle-tested team.

Despite the disappointing end to the season, there was still reason for optimism in Houston. Lawrence had shown that he was the real deal, and the Texans had found several other promising young players in the draft. With a solid core of talent in place, the future looked bright for the Texans.

As the offseason began, the Texans turned their attention to free agency. They signed several key players to bolster their roster, including veteran wide receiver Allen Robinson and defensive tackle DaQuan Jones. They also made a bold move by trading for star cornerback Jalen Ramsey, giving their defense a lockdown corner to shut down opposing passing attacks. With these moves, the Texans believed that they had put themselves in a strong position to make a deep playoff run in the upcoming season.

But as the 2022 season got underway, it quickly became clear that things were not going to be as easy as the Texans had hoped. Lawrence struggled in the early games, throwing interceptions and failing to move the ball effectively. The defense, despite the addition of Ramsey, also struggled to stop opposing offenses, giving up big plays and points in bunches.

As the losses mounted, tensions began to rise in Houston. Fans grew frustrated with the team’s lackluster performance, calling for changes to be made. Head coach Bill O’Brien found himself on the hot seat, facing criticism for his play-calling and decision-making. And Lawrence, once seen as the team’s savior, came under scrutiny for his poor play and lack of leadership on the field.

But despite the mounting pressure, the Texans remained committed to their vision. They continued to trust in Lawrence and the rest of their young core, believing that they had the talent and potential to turn things around. And slowly but surely, things began to improve.

Lawrence started to find his rhythm, making better decisions and connecting with his receivers on key plays. The defense began to tighten up, forcing turnovers and getting off the field on third downs. And as the wins started to pile up, the Texans found themselves back in the playoff hunt.

In the final weeks of the season, the Texans faced a do-or-die matchup against their division rivals, the Tennessee Titans. A win would secure a playoff spot for Houston, while a loss would send them home for the offseason. It was a high-stakes game with everything on the line.

In a thrilling and hard-fought contest, the Texans emerged victorious, defeating the Titans in a nail-biting finish. Lawrence played the best game of his young career, throwing for over 300 yards and three touchdowns. The defense came up with key stops when it mattered most, sealing the victory and sending the Texans to the playoffs for the second straight season.

As the confetti rained down and the fans roared in celebration, the Texans knew that they had achieved something special. They had overcome adversity and doubt to reach the postseason, proving that they had what it takes to compete with the best teams in the league. And as they prepared for their playoff run, the Texans knew that their journey was far from over.

In the wild card round, the Texans faced off against the defending Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs. It was a daunting challenge, going up against a team with a high-powered offense and a tenacious defense. But the Texans were undaunted, believing that they had the talent and determination to pull off the upset.

In a thrilling back-and-forth game, the Texans shocked the football world by defeating the Chiefs in overtime. Lawrence once again rose to the occasion, throwing for over 400 yards and four touchdowns. The defense came up with a key turnover in the extra period, setting up the game-winning field goal. It was a victory for the ages, a moment that will be remembered in Houston for years to come.

But the Texans’ playoff run would ultimately come to an end in the divisional round, as they fell to the Buffalo Bills in a hard-fought battle. Lawrence played well once again, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Bills’ stout defense and explosive offense. As the final whistle blew and the Texans’ season came to a close, there were tears and disappointment in the locker room. But there was also a sense of pride and accomplishment, knowing that they had given everything they had and left it all on the field.

As the offseason began, the Texans reflected on their season and looked ahead to the future.

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Source: USA Today