The Houston Texans are a team that needs game-changing playmakers, specifically on the offensive side of the ball, and the 2026 draft combine is proving to have some intriguing potential targets.
For the most part, the Texans can only hope they have the opportunity to select the players they have on their list when their time on the clock comes.
If they do, they could come away with a pair of head-turners.
Texans Make Contact With Record-Setting Playmakers
GettyHouston Texans Nick Caserio is seen before the game between the Auburn Tigers and the Texas A&M Aggies.
The Texans, like most teams, have been in contact with a bevy of prospects during the combine as they flesh out their draft big boards.
Two of those prospects turned heads on Friday.
Arkansas Razorbacks running back Mike Washington Jr. and Oregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq (4.39) both finished the day with the best 40-yard dash times for their positions, not just on the day, but in the history of the combine.
The NFL noted that Sadiq “had one of the best days ever by a TE at the Combine,” with his 43.5-inch vertical the second-best mark, and his 11-foot-1 broad jump third-best at his position.
The league also remarked that Washington set the pace for RBs with a 4.33 mark.
Both players would fill major needs for the Texans, who finished the 2025 regular season 13th in scoring and 18th overall offensively. Short fields from their stellar defense will always suppress that total number, but the Texans’ scoring output looks even worse with that context.
Adding Sadiq and/or Washington would be boons for the Texans, who are precariously thin at both spots on their current roster.
Texans Make Good Impression on History-Making TE Prospect
GettyKenyon Sadiq #18 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates after defeating the James Madison Dukes during the 2025 College Football Playoff First Round Game.
The Texans battled injuries at the tight end spot all season, just to have the only proven option on their roster–Dalton Schultz–suffer his first of the campaign in the AFC Divisional Playoffs.
Sadiq profiles as a strong complement and reflected positively on his meeting with the Texans.
“It was good,” Sadiq said, per KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson on February 26. “That was one of them, you just really get to know each other. It was a super chill meeting. The staff’s awesome. So, just getting to sit down with them, getting to know them was great.”
Sadiq’s tone is reflective of his draft stock as the class’ TE1. He was already projected to come off the board well before the Texans go on the clock with the 28th overall pick.
His performance in the combine all but cemented that.
However, Texans general manager Nick Caserio openly discussed their track record of making trades during the draft–they made seven in 2025–to suggest he is willing to explore that route again this cycle.
Several mocks projected Sadiq to come off the board in the early 20s before the combine, but Tankathon’s update slotted the dynamic TE 15th overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Texans would need to make a significant trade to move up in the draft to roster Sadiq.
Texans Can Address RB Need With Big-Bodied Blazer
GettyMike Washington Jr. #4 of the Arkansas Razorbacks carries the ball against the Mississippi Rebels.
The Texans could have a better shot at adding Washington to the roster than Sadiq in the draft, though the 6-foot-2, 223-pound runner also helped his draft stock tremendously with his showing at the combine.
Wilson reported that the Texans met with Washington on Thursday, too.
“I believe the OC [Nick Caley] was in there. The running back coach [Danny Barrett] was in there, but it was good. It was a great meeting, and we just talked ball,” Washington told reporters on February 27. “We watched my film from Arkansas. [They] really just wanted me to break down everything that we were doing, and our run schemes, and being able to break down our pass protection. Wanted me to get up on the board and draw up plays.”
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans has been open about the Texans’ desires to upgrade at RB, echoing Caserio’s sentiments about adding to their roster with only three backs under contract.
The Texans could also trade for a running back.
Despite their current financial constraints, the Texans remain positioned to add considerable talent to their roster, perhaps even more than currently projected if the 2026 draft ultimately goes their way.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Texans Show Interest in Head-Turning Duo at Draft Combine appeared first on Heavy Sports.
