2026 NFL Draft

28. Houston Texans: DL Lee Hunter, Texas Tech

The automatic assumption is that the Houston Texans will start building around quarterback C.J. Stroud instead of investing in what's already a top-notch defense.

However, the Texans' current contract situations make the defensive interior a priority until proved otherwise.

Texas Tech nose tackle Lee Hunter played as well as anyone not named Fernando Mendoza during the recent College Football Playoff. He's not a traditional space-eater. Instead, the 320-pound defensive tackle can be a disruptive force as part of a defensive front that already unleashes hell on opposing backfields.

"While the Texans featured a strong defensive line this past season, starting defensive tackles Sheldon Rankins and Tim Settle are about to hit free agency," Holder said. "This pick maintains the Texans' defensive dominance.

"With Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter working the edges and Hunter up the middle, no team will be running on Houston's defense for the foreseeable future."