ESPN ranked the Texans' roster No. 9 entering the 2026 season, highlighting Houston's elite edge rushing duo of Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter while identifying the offensive line as the team's biggest question mark. Several projected starters also raised eyebrows ahead of training camp.

NFL executives, coaches and scouts continue to view the Texans' edge rushers among the league's elite. In ESPN's annual positional rankings, Will Anderson Jr. climbed to No. 3 while Danielle Hunter checked in at No. 6, giving Houston two of the NFL's top 10 pass rushers entering the 2026 season.

ESPN's annual survey of NFL executives, coaches and scouts ranked Derek Stingley Jr. as the NFL's No. 2 cornerback, while Texans teammate Kamari Lassiter earned honorable mention just outside the top 10. The rankings further reinforce Houston's reputation for having one of football's premier secondaries.

While Texans fans await the start of training camp, C.J. Stroud recently spent part of his offseason at the 10th Annual Athletes First Elite Week—an invite-only gathering that has become one of the NFL's premier offseason events. More than just workouts, Elite Week brings together many of the league's biggest stars for philanthropy, business networking, and leadership development. Stroud also participated in the 3rd Annual Celebrity Waiter Night in Scottsdale, trading his jersey for an apron to

National analysts from The Athletic Football Show revisited C.J. Stroud's 2025 season and argued the narrative surrounding Houston's quarterback has become overly focused on two playoff games. They pointed to the Texans' offensive line, struggling run game, schematic challenges and key statistics that paint a much more encouraging picture heading into 2026.

ESPN's Ben Solak explains why he's still bullish on the Texans, C.J. Stroud, DeMeco Ryans, Houston's offense, and their Super Bowl outlook.

A new feature from Dan Pompei sheds light on the remarkable journey that shaped Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair. From riding a bike to the 49ers facility as an undrafted rookie to DeMeco Ryans delivering heartbreaking Super Bowl news and becoming the emotional leader of one of the NFL's best defenses, here are the biggest revelations Texans fans learned about the Pro Bowl linebacker.