The Texans have plenty of roster spots up for grabs and solid players that could be cut with tight competition at multiple positions.
Quarterback (2)
C.J. Stroud, Davis Mills
Houston kept three quarterbacks last year with Case Keenum also on the roster, and that could happen again with Graham Mertz drafted in the sixth round. However, there are too many difficult decisions at other positions, so Mertz (or Kedon Slovis) will probably land on the practice squad instead.
Running back (4)
Joe Mixon, Woody Marks (R), Dameon Pierce, Jakob Johnson
Dare Ogunbowale provides value on special teams and has shown well when used on offense, so he remains squarely in play for a roster spot; but the 31-year-old might have seen his replacement drafted when Houston took Woody Marks in the fourth round. If Joe Mixon were to ever miss time, the Texans would likely lean on Dameon Pierce and Marks as a one-two punch.
Wide receiver (6)
Nico Collins, Christian Kirk, Jayden Higgins (R), Jaylin Noel (R), Justin Watson, John Metchie III
Even with Tank Dell (leg) almost certainly out for 2025, wide receiver is extremely crowded following the selections of Iowa State teammates Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. Those two are locks behind Nico Collins and Christian Kirk (we compared Noel to Kirk in the pre-draft process), and the final two—or perhaps even three—spots will be a down-to-the-wire battle between Justin Watson, John Metchie III, Braxton Berrios, Xavier Hutchinson, and others.
Tight end (3)
Dalton Schultz, Brevin Jordan, Cade Stover
The question at tight end is whether Houston has the room to keep a fourth option, as Irv Smith Jr. or seventh-round pick Luke Lachey might be able to show enough to keep. Again, though, the roster will be very tough to crack, and the Texans could keep three guys here to leave room elsewhere.
Offensive tackle (4)
Cam Robinson, Blake Fisher, Aireontae Ersery (R), Trent Brown
For all the concern about the offensive line in Houston following the trade of Laremy Tunsil, four tackles appear close to locks with Cam Robinson and Trent Brown brought in as free agents and Aireontae Ersery drafted in Round 2. There is a scenario where Brown doesn’t have the best camp and fails to stick around, but he could be the swing tackle while Ersery develops.
Interior offensive line (5)
Laken Tomlinson, Jarrett Patterson, Tytus Howard, Juice Scruggs, Ed Ingram
Tytus Howard—who could theoretically factor in at tackle if others fail to step up—is the only interior option 100% assured of a starting spot, as Laken Tomlinson needs to hold off Juice Scruggs and Ed Ingram at the other guard spot, and Scruggs could get another shot at unseating Jarrett Patterson, too. Also, keep an eye on undrafted free agent Eli Cox making the team as the backup center if Scruggs is viewed more as a guard.
Defensive tackle (5)
Tim Settle Jr., Sheldon Rankins, Mario Edwards Jr., Folorunso Fatukasi, Kyonte Hamilton (R)
The defensive front of Houston got deeper with Sheldon Rankins back after a year in Cincinnati, and the top four will all rotate heavily to stay fresh. Defensive end Denico Autry will kick inside at times as well, and seventh-round pick Kyonte Hamilton needs to beat out Kurt Hinish, Tommy Togiai, and undrafted rookie Junior Tafuna.
Defensive end (6)
Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter, Denico Autry, Darrell Taylor, Derek Barnett, Dylan Horton
The Texans obviously return their key players at defensive end with Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter being perhaps the best duo in the NFL, and the group around them should remain largely the same as it was in 2024. The newcomer is Darrell Taylor—who didn’t make a huge impact last year in Chicago but recorded 21.5 sacks across his first three seasons.
Linebacker (5)
Azeez Al-Shaair, Christian Harris, Henry To’oTo’o, E.J. Speed, Jamal Hill
Christian Harris only appeared in three games last season due to a calf injury that knocked him out in August, and he could split time with Henry To’oTo’o when Houston has two linebackers on the field. E.J. Speed and Nick Niemann were each added as free agents to provide depth and value on special teams, but we like only one of them to make it with Jamal Hill finding his way onto the roster for the second year in a row.
Cornerback (5)
Derek Stingley Jr., Kamari Lassiter, Jaylin Smith (R), Ronald Darby, Tremon Smith
Heavy time in the slot for Jalen Pitre could have him classified as a cornerback, but he’s listed as a safety by the team—and the selection of Jaylin Smith in the third round could be a sign of the rookie being the long-term answer between Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter. Ronald Darby will be the top backup on the perimeter, and Tremon Smith returns to the Texans after two years in Denver where he had a major presence on special teams.
Safety (5)
Calen Bullock, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Jalen Pitre, Jimmie Ward, Jaylen Reed (R)
Houston is loaded at safety with Calen Bullock showing well as a rookie, C.J. Gardner-Johnson being acquired after winning a ring with the Eagles, and Jalen Pitre now healthy—not to mention veteran Jimmie Ward as a returning starter from the past two seasons. Because of the quality of the top four, rookie Jaylen Reed could have an uphill battle to make the roster, but we believe the sixth-rounder could have been selected on Day 2.
Special teams (3)
Ka’imi Fairbairn, Tommy Townsend, Austin Brinkman (R)
The final position up for grabs will be at long snapper, as Tucker Addington will try to snap for his third team in as many years—but undrafted rookie Austin Brinkman probably has the edge to snap for Ka’imi Fairbairn and Tommy Townsend.