Emmanuel Pregnon, OG, Oregon
The Houston Texans are the NFL’s youngest franchise, beginning play in 2002, and their early years were marked by steady growing pains. It took nearly a decade for the organization to find postseason success, finally breaking through in 2011 with their first playoff appearance. That game became a milestone moment, as the Texans defeated the Bengals 31–10, highlighted by rookie defensive end J.J. Watt—selected 11th overall in the 2011 draft—returning an interception 29 yards for a touchdown.
Advertisement
After that initial rise, the franchise experienced one of the darkest stretches in its history from 2020 to 2022. Over those three seasons, the Texans posted a combined record of 11–38–1 and cycled through four head coaches. While the COVID-affected 2020 and 2021 seasons played a role, this period nonetheless represented the lowest point for the team both on and off the field.
The trajectory shifted dramatically in 2023, driven by three pivotal decisions engineered by general manager Nick Caserio, widely praised by the organization as aggressive and progressive. The turnaround began with the hiring of DeMeco Ryans as head coach on January 31, 2023. That spring, the Texans selected quarterback C.J. Stroud with the second overall pick in the draft, then boldly traded up with the Arizona Cardinals to secure the third overall pick, using it to select linebacker/edge rusher Will Anderson Jr.
The results were immediate and striking. In 2023, the Texans finished 10–7, won the AFC South, and won a playoff game. Stroud earned Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, while Anderson was named Defensive Rookie of the Year. The success continued in 2024 with another 10–7 record, a second straight AFC South title, and another playoff appearance and playoff win. By 2025, the Texans improved further, finishing 12–5, placing second in the division, and once again earning a postseason win. Can they take the next step and win at least 2 playoff games in one year?
DeMeco Ryans’ return to Houston as head coach carries special meaning in Texans history. He was himself a Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2006 for the Texans after being drafted in the second round, leading the NFL with 126 solo tackles. Ryans spent his first five seasons with the Texans before being traded to the Eagles in 2012, where he enjoyed two strong seasons before an Achilles injury curtailed his 2014 campaign. Across four regular seasons in Philadelphia, Ryans amassed 334 tackles, 20 passes defended, and five interceptions, adding a memorable playoff performance under Chip Kelly.
Nick Caserio, spent 20 years (2001-2020) with the Patriots organization, before joining the Texans as their GM in 2021. Caserio was deeply involved in the Patriots football operations and has considered to be Belichick’s right-hand man. He held many roles with Patriots including Director of Player Personnel. His scouting, draft evaluation, and cap-awareness help play a significant role in the sustained success of the Patriots during his time there. Can he do the same for the Texans?
Advertisement
When Caserio arrived in Houston, the Texans were in disarray. They had limited draft capital, coaching instability, a weak roster, and cap issues. It took two years for Caserio to completely overhaul the team, which further tested the patience of the fans. But as was noted above, 2023 was a key turning point. And just like Howie Roseman of the Eagles, Caserio is not afraid of wheeling and dealing. In fact, the record for the greatest number of trades within a 7-round draft is eight, accomplished by the Patriots in 2018, the Texans in 2023, and the Eagles in 2024.
As another example of Caserio’s aggressiveness, you might remember that the Eagles jumped up two spots from 15 to 13 in the 2022 draft to select Jordan Davis. This started out as Cleveland’s 2022 13th pick, but ended up with the Eagles via the following two trades:
-
Trade 1:
-
Browns gave 2022 13th pick, 107th pick; 2023 1st pick, 3rd round pick, and 2024 1st pick and 4th round pick.
-
-
Trade 2:
-
Eagles gave 2022 15th, 124th, 162nd, and 166th (to jump up 2 spots)
-
Texans gave 2022 13th round pick
-
That’s quite the draft assets acquired by Caserio, one might even call it Roseman-esque!
While the Texans’ fans were initially skeptical of Caserio, their sentiment has completely flipped. The prevailing view is that Caserio has a plan, that he doesn’t panic, and wins more trades than he loses. For the Texans to get to the promised land of a Lombardi trophy, the Texans’ fans might barrow the phase of the Eagles fans; “In Nick they trust”.
Advertisement
Now to the 2026 draft and the 28th overall pick. The Texans staying at this spot, just like the Eagles staying at 23 is unrealistic. However, in this community mock draft trades are not considered. Caserio, much like Howie, tries to build a complete roster before the draft. That way the Texans can aim to pick the best player available based on their big board regardless of how the draft plays out. He did that by signing or acquiring several offensive linemen (Braden Smith, Wyatt Teller), running back (David Montgomery), safety (Reid Blankenship), and even a punter (Kai Kroeger) among others.
However, when the Texans were on the clock, they struggled with this pick. Despite signing safety Blankenship in free agency, safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren out of Toledo was still on the board and looked enticing. Similarly, picking a defensive tackle such as Peter Woods from Clemson or Christen Miller from Georgia would have really solidified an already strong defensive line with their dominate edge rushers of Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. In the end, they decided to do what Caserio had never done before during his time with the Texans, he went with an internal offensive lineman in the first round: Emmanuel Pregnon out of University of Oregan.
Pregnon is dense, thick player (6’4” height, 314 lbs) with strong arms, big hands, and good leg drive. He tested extremely well at the combine for a guard: 5.21 second in the 40, 35 inch vertical leap (best of all guards), 9’3” broad, and 30 reps on the bench press for an overall combine RAS score of 9.1.
He started his college career at Wyoming which included 2 redshirt years and then being named a Freshman All-American for the Cowboys in 2022 where he started 11 games. He then transferred to USC for two seasons. Starting in 12 games in 2023 and all 13 games in 2024 for the Trojans, without allowing a sack. He was named second-team All-Big Ten in 2024. He once again transferred, this time to Oregon for his senior season. For the college football playoff Ducks, he earned First-Team All-American and First-Team All-Big Ten honors. After 3 schools, 6 years in college, 51 games, and over 3100 offensive snaps he has continued to develop and grow at each level. Which brings us to his one big knock: his age. He is 24 years old. And one of the reasons he is typically projected as an early second round pick.
Pregnon has a good anchor against bull rushers. His big hands, large wingspan, and wide base smothers any attempts that defenders try with counter moves or attempts to disengage. His explosive lower body enables him to quickly engage defenders on run blocking. He is a very athletic internal offensive lineman, the type that the Eagles also like to draft.
Watching some films on Pregnon, he is a nasty monster who plays through the whistler. He will pull, pick up some speed and bulldoze linebackers and defensive backs. It always appears that his goal is to get the defender on his backside. On double teams, he appropriately slips to the second level to take on the linebackers. He works well with teammates in pass protection passing off rushers to pick up the stunting defensive lineman. In 2024, his second year with the Trojans, he gave up zero sacks and zero QB hits. Some of his films remind me of Mekhi Becton when he played for the Eagles during the 2024 Superbowl winning season. While projected as an eventual starter, I see him starting as a rookie and continuing to grow to perhaps a potential pro-bowler.
Advertisement
While it may appear to be a reach to take Pregnon, a 24-year-old in the late first round, the Texans could use an athletic guard to help open holes in the run game and give more internal pass protection. I could envision the Texans eventually exercising his fifth year option and have an inexpensive starter in the middle of their offensive line for the next 5 years. This is just the type of roster management that Nick Caserio would consider.
2026 BGN Mock Draft Order
1) Raiders (Mailata_in_a_Miata): Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
2) Jets (Dr.MidnightGreen): Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State
3) Cardinals (grantspectations): Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
4) Titans (DrBubbles): Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
5) Giants (ablesser88): Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
6) Browns (kjb304): Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State
7) Commanders (Jerry Robinson 56): Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
8) Saints (VetStadiumSection358): David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
9) Chiefs (Hoosinole): Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
10) Bengals (chuckelberryfinn): Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
11) Dolphins (phillyfan): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
12) Cowboys (ejdubya): Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
13) Rams (All_Hail_Howie): Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
14) Ravens (215T1LL1D1e): Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
15) Buccaneers (pascofljoe): Makai Lemon, WR, USC
16) Jets (Euegene11): Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
17) Lions (BCHaas): Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
18) Vikings (The Player Formerly Known as Mousecop): Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
19) Panthers (jaynase): Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
20) Cowboys (Cravin’ LeBlanc): Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
21) Steelers (iam4theBirdz): Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
22) Chargers (Aint1stULast): Kadyn Proctor, OL, Alabama
23) Eagles (Philly21): Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
24) Browns (FierceDisc65): Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
25) Bears (jazztafari): Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
26) Bills (PhillyTexan): Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
27) 49ers (granthill7): Omar Cooper Jr. WR, Indiana
28) Texans (CrackTheEaglesNut): Emmanuel Pregnon, OG, Oregon
29) Chiefs (z)
30) Dolphins (Booth12)
31) Patriots (Niels Rosenquist)
32) Seahawks (J. Wil)
2026 BGN Community Consensus Mock Draft
Now it’s YOUR TURN to vote for who you think should be selected with this pick.
Advertisement
1) Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza
2) Jets: EDGE Arvell Reese
3) Cardinals: OT Francis Mauigoa
4) Titans: RB Jeremiyah Love
5) Giants: LB Sonny Styles
6) Browns: WR Carnell Tate
7) Commanders: EDGE David Bailey
8) Saints: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr.
9) Chiefs: S Caleb Downs
10) Bengals: CB Mansoor Delane
11) Dolphins: WR Jordyn Tyson
12) Cowboys: CB Jermod McCoy
13) Rams: WR Makai Lemon
14) Ravens: OT Monroe Freeling
15) Buccaneers: TE Kenyon Sadiq
16) Jets: OG Olaivavega Ioane
17) Lions: OT Spencer Fano
18) Vikings: S Dillon Thieneman
19) Panthers: OT Kadyn Proctor
20) Cowboys: EDGE Akheem Mesidor
21) Steelers: EDGE Keldric Faulk
22) Chargers: OT Caleb Lomu
23) Eagles: OT Max Iheanachor
24) Browns: OT Blake Miller
25) Bears: S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
26) Bills: DT Kayden McDonald
27) 49ers: WR Omar Cooper Jr.
28) Texans:
Read the full article here
