Wild but brilliant move Texans must make in 2026 NFL Draft

The Houston Texans should go get the closer. It’d be fun to see them do something that will make half the league scoff and the other half nervous. That means trading up in the 2026 NFL Draft into the top 10 and drafting Jeremiyah Love. Not later. Not if he falls. Go get him. It’s the kind of move that breaks from conventional roster-building logic for devalued running back position. This isn’t about trends, though, but timing, identity, and maximizing a championship window. With CJ Stroud firmly entrenched as a top-tier quarterback, the Texans don’t need more “good enough” pieces. They need a closer. Love is that closer.

Continuity with a purpose

The early weeks of free agency were defined by strategic depth. Houston made it a priority to retain veteran tackle Trent Brown. They also secured an extension for Danielle Hunter. That kept one of the league’s most feared pass-rush duos intact alongside Will Anderson Jr. Beyond the big-name retentions, the Texans dipped into the market to bring in linebacker EJ Speed and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins.

There’s a clear philosophy at play here. Houston isn’t chasing headlines in March. Instead, they’re building leverage for April. By locking in their core and reinforcing the trenches, they’ve created a roster that is structurally sound. This sets the stage for one defining addition. The Texans have quietly positioned themselves to make a move that doesn’t just complement their roster, but transforms it.

Final piece of the offensive puzzle

Sure, the trenches have been reinforced. However, a glaring question mark remains in the Houston backfield. The running game has been serviceable. The, though, Texans need a home-run hitter. They need a player who forces defensive coordinators to take their eyes off Stroud, Nico Collins, and Tank Dell. Houston needs a player who can go on a 70-yard sprint on every first down.

The biggest need to address in the 2026 NFL Draft is undoubtedly the running back position. Of course, they already have David Montgomery. That’s not enough, though. Houston needs a more dynamic, three-down threat who can pass protect and catch out of the backfield. The current roster lacks that elite, game-breaking speed. By failing to address this during the peak of free agency, the Texans have backed themselves into a corner. Now, they must strike gold in the draft.

The move Texans must make

The Houston Texans must ignore the traditional positional value charts. They need to aggressively trade up into the top 10 to select Jeremiyah Love. On the surface, taking a running back that high in today’s NFL feels like a relic of a bygone era. Context matters, though, and Houston’s context makes this move not just defensible, but brilliant.

Love is not simply a runner; he is a gravitational force. His presence alone changes how defenses align. Safeties creep closer to the box. Linebackers hesitate for just a split second longer. Love’s vision allows him to exploit even the smallest crease. His second gear makes him a threat to score every time he touches the ball.

Imagine what that does for Stroud. Suddenly, play-action becomes lethal. Defenses can no longer sit back in two-high shells and dare Houston to run. They must commit bodies to stopping Love. It’s not just about adding another weapon but unlocking the full potential of the offense.

Of course, the cost will be steep. Trading up that high likely means parting with future premium picks. It may even require sacrificing flexibility in subsequent drafts. Still, this is where the Texans must be honest about where they are as a franchise. They are not searching for identity. They are knocking on the door.

And when you’re that close, you don’t hoard resources — you deploy them.

Ripple effects

What makes this move truly brilliant is the ripple effect it creates across the entire roster. Love’s presence enhances every other investment the Texans have made. The offensive line benefits from more favorable run looks. Their receivers see lighter coverage. The defense gets more rest as the offense sustains drives and controls tempo.

Critics will argue that running backs do not warrant such an aggressive move. In a vacuum, they might be right. Jeremiyah Love, however, is not a vacuum player. He is a system-defining talent in the perfect situation. Houston is that situation.

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