B
Houston Texans
Branch should have been long gone. The Texans pounced, and earned a B.
by Romega74 ·
2026 NFL Draft
· 8 picks
· 8 steals
· 0 reaches
Somewhere a general manager is explaining how Zachariah Branch got past him. The Texans do not have to explain a thing at Round 4, Pick 6. Solid and sensible more than spectacular: a B.
They will regret leaving running back for another day if the season turns on it. Wide receiver is handled and the depth chart looks a good deal healthier for it.
They trusted the board more than the depth chart.
In short, they left a little better than they arrived, which is the whole idea.
Pick-by-Pick
In the 28th overall pick they get a security blanket over the middle, and a steal at that. A real need, handled.
They stopped a slide they were happy to see, landing Colton Hood in Round 2, Pick 6. Depth more than a fix, but depth they can use.
Taking CJ Allen in the 59th pick is close to grand larceny; a linebacker that good had no business lasting this long. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
They barely believed it either: Emmanuel Pregnon still on the board at the Round 3 slot. It fills a real need, too.
They will replay Zachariah Branch at pick No. 106 for years; that is how good the value is. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
Trey Zuhn III at pick 141 is money in the bank, a offensive lineman taken below his worth. The roster fit checks out.
Good things come to war rooms that wait, and Tim Keenan III at slot 167 is the proof. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
Zavion Thomas at No. 243 is daylight robbery; nobody expected him to last. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.