The Houston Texans are in an interesting spot on the back end of the first round in the 2026 draft, in a slot that could be prime territory for Ty Simpson.
Simpson may not be right for the Texans. Even with the questions regarding their current group, the Texans have three recent draft picks (starter C.J. Stroud and backups Davis Mills and Graham Mertz) under contract.
However, he could entice another team to come calling Texans general manager Nick Caserio.
Texans Trade Pitch Moves Out Of Round 1 in 2026 Draft
Getty(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Caserio has been open about his willingness to move around in the draft, as the Texans have been wont to do under his watch.
Sports Illustrated’s Conor Orr suggested a move that has gained popularity in recent weeks.
Texans get:
- 2026 second-round pick (No. 34 overall)
- 2026 fourth-round pick (No. 104 overall)
Cardinals get:
- 2026 first-round pick (No. 28 overall)
“It must be done,” Orr wrote on April 21. “With Jacoby Brissett looking for a starter’s raise, the Cardinals have no choice but to swing for upside and see if Simpson can bake under Gardner Minshew II throughout training camp and emerge close to Week 1 as a capable starter.”
Simpson is the QB2 of the 2026 class behind Fernando Mendoza, the presumed No. 1 overall pick to the Las Vegas Raiders.
In Orr’s mock, the Texans also missed on popular speculative pick Max Iheanachor.
If the draft indeed shakes out that way, it could behoove Caserio and the Texans to trade back and collect additional draft assets rather than reaching for a player in the first round, locking themselves into a more costly investment.
Texans Have Clear Vision for Roster
GettyHouston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans reacts against the San Francisco 49ers.
While Caserio is doing the shopping, be it via trade or otherwise, it is up to Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans to put the pieces to good use on the field.
Naturally, Ryans is clear about the kinds of players that he wants.
“My first and foremost thing is, does a guy love football? And I think if I start there, with a guy who loves football, and that guy wants to be coached, then we can help get him better. So, that’s always a starting point for me. We want smart, tough, dependable guys, and that’s what sticks in the league,” Ryans told reporters on April 20.
“You get into crunch-time, who can you depend on, right? Is it the flashy guy that’s inconsistent, or is it the guy who’s shown time and time again throughout his college career that he is a consistent, dependable guy; guy of high character, a guy you can count on? That’s the guy I know is going to be a really great teammate. He’s going to fit into our locker room really well. And those are the guys that I want to go to battle with.”
Any successful organization will have a front office and coaching staff that work in collaboration towards their goals. The Texans have struck the right balance with Caserio and Ryans, and the results (tied for the third-most wins since the start of the 2023 season) are undeniable.
Texans Predicted to Swing QB-Related Trade During 2026 Draft