The Texans as stated numerous times previously have had arguably the league’s top defense over the past two seasons. Head coach DeMeco Ryans is obviously a defensive mastermind and likely the sharpest defensive mind in the sport today. But the personnel that the Texans have on the defensive side of things also is very strong and here I will be doing an assessment of the personnel that the Texans have in their secondary heading into next season.
Set to start at the primary cornerback spot is former first rounder Derek Stingley Jr. Stingley Jr struggled as a rookie but has played at a borderline elite to an elite level over the past three seasons in a row now. Stingley Jr is one of the better if not one of the best overall corners in the sport today and Houston seems to be set at this position with a well above average to an elite starter.
Set to start at the strong safety spot is Reed Blankenship who had a down year during the 2025 season but is otherwise a borderline elite caliber starting safety. Blankenship, a 2022 undrafted free agent, graded in the borderline elite range in terms of an overall defense grade according to Pro Football Focus in each of his first three seasons in the NFL. However, Blankenship really regressed during the 2025 season ranking among the worst players at his position. It remains to be seen if this an aberration although I am leaning towards it being one as Blankenship was such a strong player beforehand.
Starting at the free safety spot is 2024 3rd rounder Calen Bullock who is also very good and talented. Bullock struggled as a rookie but showed tremendous improvement from year 1 to year 2. Bullock during the 2025 season graded in the top third among players at his position and could be in line to become a star if he continues to show improvement. But as of now Bullock remains a strong but not an elite option to start for Houston although he could become elite with time.
Set to start at the remaining primary cornerback spot is 2024 2nd rounder Kamari Lassiter who has lived up to expectations thus far in the NFL. Lassiter had a very strong rookie season and played at an elite level during year 2 in 2025 grading among the top corners in the sport. Lassiter is in line to become one of the premier defensive players in the sport going forward.
Set to start at the nickel cornerback spot is former 2nd rounder Jalen Pitre who has looked very strong in the NFL thus far. Pitre played safety primarily in his first four seasons in the NFL and has looked very strong and has shown consistent improvement. In year 1 Pitre struggled but showed some improvement in year 2, in year 3 Pitre played at a borderline elite level, and then in year 4 Pitre graded among the best defensive players in the sport ranking 2nd among all safeties in terms of an overall defense grade according to Pro Football Focus. Pitre is now set to transition to the nickel cornerback spot, and it remains to be seen how effective he will be, however.
From a depth standpoint in the secondary the Texans have some notable names that can transition to a starting role given some of the question marks that Houston has in regards to their starters or at least serve the team very well as strong backups. Former 2nd rounder M.J Stewart is capable of playing both safety and corner and although he has looked meager at corner, he has looked very strong at safety from time to time. 2025 6th rounder Jaylen Reed played at an above average clip in very limited rookie snaps and is in line to build off of it going forward. 2025 3rd rounder Jaylin Smith looked very strong in very limited rookie snaps but did not play in year 2 and is in line to potentially break out in year 3. While 2025 undrafted free agent Alijah Huzzie was graded as the best overall corner in the NFL in just 23 rookie snaps showing a ton of potential thus far albeit in less than a games worth of action.
The Texans have one of the strongest starting secondaries heading into the 2026 season and a breakdown of the unit can be found below.
2026 Projected Houston Texans’ Starting Secondary
LCB – Derek Stingley Jr – B+ to A-
SS – Reed Blankenship – B-, consistently very strong B+ caliber player before 2025, poor year in 2025
FS – Calen Bullock – B
RCB – Kamari Lassiter – B+ to A-
NB – Jalen Pitre – B+ to A- at safety in career thus far, now transitioning to corner
2026 Notable Texans’ Reserve Secondary Players
S/CB – M.J Stewart – C+ to B-, very strong at safety, struggles at corner
S – Jaylen Reed – 2025 6th rounder, C+ to B- as rookie
CB – Jaylin Smith – 2025 3rd rounder, B+ in very limited rookie snaps
CB – Alijah Huzzie – Highest graded corner in NFL in 23 rookie snaps as 2025 UDFA
