The following is an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 2026 Football Preview. In addition to Warren's deep, detailed write-up on all 32 NFL teams, each chapter features page after page of full-color charts, stats, and heatmaps, as well as defensive analysis from Raymond Summerlin. Click here for a full FREE chapter from the 2026 Football Preview.
With the 2026 NFL season fast approaching, let's look at the defense of the Houston Texans and preview how it might perform this season.
Houston Texans 2026 Defense Preview: A Unit-by-Unit Breakdown
The Texans shut down running backs in 2025, allowing just 3.7 yards per carry (2nd) to the position and finishing second in success rate against running back runs. Sheldon Rankins re-signed on a two-year deal this offseason, but Tim Settle left in free agency. Tommy Togiai played the second-most snaps among the defensive line group last season, and he was excellent against the run. Togiai finished with 9 run stuffs and recorded a tackle on 25.6% of his run defense snaps, the best mark among qualified defensive linemen. Logan Hall was added in free agency after four years with the Bucs, and the team drafted Kayden McDonald in the second round.
The Texans finished second in pressure rate (42.2%) last season, notching 47 sacks (7th). Houston has one of the best pass-rushing duos in the league with Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter. Anderson led qualified pass rushers in pressure rate (21.0%) last season while recording 12 sacks. Hunter finished seventh in pressure rate (17.7%) while getting 15 sacks (3rd). The depth behind those two is not great, but it might not matter.
E.J. Speed was brought in this offseason, but he suffered what is expected to be a season-ending injury in workouts. Azeez Al-Shaair and Henry To’oTo’o were the primary starters last year, with Speed filling that No. 3 role. Al-Shaair was not as impactful against the run as he has been in the past, but he was still a quality starter who excelled in coverage (5.2 yards per target allowed). The Texans need to find a third option with Speed out.
Houston also excelled against the pass in 2025, allowing 6.5 yards per pass attempt (7th) and finishing second in EPA allowed per pass attempt. Derek Stingley has earned first-team All-Pro honors the last two seasons. He has allowed just a 55.1 quarterback rating in his coverage through four seasons. Kamari Lassiter made the Pro Bowl in his second season, finishing 34th among qualified corners in yards allowed per coverage snap. Jalen Pitre is nominally a safety, but he has been the primary slot corner for the last two seasons and has absolutely shone in that role
Safety Calen Bullock is another massive draft hit for the Texans in the secondary, and like Lassiter, also made his first Pro Bowl in his second season. The Texans did need someone to play next to Bullock, and they got that by adding Reed Blankenship in free agency. Jaylen Reed struggled with injuries as a rookie, and he did not fare well in coverage, but he did start in the playoffs.
This analysis continues in the 2026 Football Preview
Order Warren Sharp's 2026 Football Preview to Get Penalty Analysis for All 32 NFL Teams
Warren Sharp’s 600+ page full-color PDF, the 2026 Football Preview, is unlike anything you have read. Stunning visualizations, including new heat maps and stat pages, are built with the reader in mind. Innovative, next-level thought processes abound in every team chapter and article.
Get Warren's Book
Warren Sharp's book shares insights into the players, coaches, teams, and philosophies with one goal: to prepare you for the 2026 NFL season with the smartest information delivered in the fastest, most direct way possible for optimal reviewing and retention.
- Team Chapters previews are in-depth, data-driven & full of actionable info
- Fantasy Football player profiles, predictions, and ranks
- Vegas Odds forecast team wins, division rankings, lines for all 2026 games
- Coaching strategic advice for teams, play-calling analysis & team tendencies
- Front Office Analysis positional spending, roster construction & cap analysis
- Reasons to bet over/under win totals & analysis of futures betting market
- Rookie draft class deep dive into impact for every team
- Rankings for every positional unit on every team with analysis
- Penalty analysis for all 32 NFL teams