The second edition of the roster prediction series is here. The roster is little changed since early June, but the tides still change around NRG as the World Cup comes to an end and training camp gets underway soon.

Similar to how NCAA Basketball’s Bracketology works, I’ll update the below with the Last Four (players) in the roster, the first four out, the biggest riser, and biggest faller. I’ll update this series every other Tuesday until the final 53-man roster is announced on Sunday, August 30th.

Initial Rosterology for 2026 featured several surprising faces including Dominique Robinson, Naquan Jones, and Alijah Huzzie. All three remain on the roster given their place on the depth chart and the lack of true challengers for their role.

Note: Rookies are in bold and UDFAs are italicized

Last Four In:

Jake Hummel, LB

British Brooks, RB/FB

Jake Andrews, OC

Alijah Huzzie, DB

First Four Out:

Justin Watson, WR

Evan Brown, OG/OT

Cade Stover, TE

Jamal Hill, LB

Biggest Riser: Lewis Bond, WR

I’ve never had a rookie in NINE years featured as a biggest riser OR biggest faller, so this is an intriguing scenario to have two rookies as the biggest movers on the roster.

Bond’s rookie minicamp and OTAs report card has been full of A’s as he carved out a role as a route running specialist. As a sixth rounders have hit for the Texans in recent history: Jawhar Jordan, Jarrett Patterson, Xavier Hutchinson, and Jamal Hill are all on the roster. Bond has changed the narrative from if he can make the squat at all to if the Texans can make room for veteran Justin Watson on the roster.

Biggest Faller: Marlin Klein, TE

The offseason narrative has not been positive for the rookie tight end. He’s the first rookie in NINE years of this article series to be named the “Biggest Faller”… even Kenyon Green didn’t have that honor in 2022. Between the intense competition at tight end and his lingering hamstring injury, it has not been a smooth start for Klein. The media and fans are already sour to the Michigan man. He has plenty of time to redeem himself, but there’s no such thing as a redshirt year in the NFL.

Offense (25)

Quarterbacks: 2

C.J. Stroud, Davis Mills

CUT: Graham Mertz

Analysis: I predict Houston will only keep two QBs on the roster and designate Mertz to the practice squad with the intention of elevating him up to the roster as the emergency QB throughout the season. Mertz’s development in year two and another season removed from his ACL tear will be an interesting talking point. With Mills facing the last year of his contract, can Mertz present enough of a case to eventually assume the backup QB role?