The Houston Texans continued their methodical approach to locking up the 2026 draft class on Wednesday, May 13, signing three more rookies to four-year contracts. Linebacker Wade Woodaz, safety Kamari Ramsey, and wide receiver Lewis Bond officially put pen to paper, joining second-round defensive tackle Kayden McDonald and seventh-round linebacker Aiden Fisher, who signed a day earlier.
With roughly half of the draft class now under contract, general manager Nick Caserio and his staff are checking off boxes well before training camp arrives. The team now has five of its eight picks signed, with three notable names still awaiting their turn: first-round offensive lineman Keylan Rutledge, second-round tight end Marlin Klein, and fourth-round offensive lineman Febechi Nwaiwu.
Let's break down each signing, what these players bring to the roster, and what it all means for the Texans' depth chart heading into the summer.
Wade Woodaz Brings Versatility to the Linebacker Room
Selected with the No. 123 overall pick in the fourth round, Wade Woodaz was the highest-drafted of Wednesday's signees. His four-year deal is worth approximately $5.48 million and includes a signing bonus of around $1.1 million--standard slot value for a late fourth-round selection under the current rookie wage scale.
Woodaz arrives in Houston as a hybrid linebacker who projects well into defensive coordinator Matt Burke's scheme. At his previous stop, Woodaz showed an ability to stack and shed at the line of scrimmage while also dropping into coverage on early downs. That two-down value gives the Texans a developmental piece behind an already deep linebacker corps.
Houston's linebacker room currently features veterans Azeez Al-Shaair, E.J. Speed, and Henry To'oTo'o, along with holdovers Jake Hansen and Marte Mapu. Woodaz will have the opportunity to compete for special teams snaps early, with a path to rotational defensive work if he impresses during training camp. The coaching staff values versatility, and Woodaz fits that mold--he can align inside or outside and has enough speed to chase runs to the boundary.
Kamari Ramsey Adds Depth at Safety
Fifth-round pick Kamari Ramsey (No. 141 overall) will step into a safety room that already features established starters and promising young players. The Texans have Reed Blankenship, Calen Bullock, and Jalen Pitre as the primary options, with Jaylen Reed and Kaevon Merriweather providing additional depth. Ramsey is likely ticketed for a backup role initially, but his skill set suggests he could push for snaps as the season progresses.
Ramsey brings a physical style of play and has shown strong instincts in zone coverage. He reads quarterbacks well from depth and has the closing burst to break on underneath routes. In a league that increasingly asks safeties to cover ground from sideline to sideline, Ramsey's range could make him a valuable asset in sub-packages.
The special teams coordinator will also get a long look at Ramsey. Late-round defensive backs who can contribute on coverage units tend to stick on rosters, and Ramsey's tackling ability should translate well to kick and punt coverage roles.
Lewis Bond Joins a Crowded Wide Receiver Room
The sixth-round selection of wide receiver Lewis Bond adds another young pass-catcher to a position group that has undergone significant turnover in recent years. Bond will join a receiving corps headlined by Nico Collins and Tank Dell, with Jayden Higgins, Xavier Hutchinson, and Jaylin Noel among the depth options.
Bond's path to the 53-man roster is not an easy one. The Texans have invested heavily at wide receiver, and competition for the final few spots will be fierce. However, Bond offers something the depth chart lacks: a big-bodied target with contested-catch ability and red-zone potential. If he can make an impression on special teams and show reliable hands in camp, Bond could carve out a developmental roster spot or a practice squad role.
The Texans also have veteran Justin Watson and several other developmental options like Daniel Sobkowicz and Jalen Walthall on the roster. Bond will need to stand out early to avoid getting lost in the shuffle.
What's Left: The Big Three Still Unsigned
While Wednesday's signings were good news for roster management, attention now turns to the three unsigned rookies: Keylan Rutledge, Marlin Klein, and Febechi Nwaiwu. Of those, Rutledge is the headliner. As a first-round pick, his contract will carry a fifth-year option and significantly larger guaranteed money. Those negotiations typically take longer, so his delay in signing is not a concern.
Klein, a second-round tight end, will slot into a tight end group that already includes Dalton Schultz, Foster Moreau, and Brevin Jordan. His contract should be straightforward, likely wrapping up within the next week. Nwaiwu, a fourth-round offensive lineman, is also expected to sign soon.
None of these unsigned players have missed any team activities, and there is no indication of any snags in negotiations. The Texans are managing the cap with their usual deliberate approach.
The Bigger Picture
Nick Caserio has made a habit of getting rookie deals done efficiently, and this year is no different. With five of eight picks signed by mid-May, the Texans are ahead of schedule compared to many teams around the league. The rookie salary pool is fixed, so these signings were always going to happen -- but getting them out of the way early allows the coaching staff to focus on development rather than contract logistics.
Head coach DeMeco Ryans has been open about his desire to build through the draft and develop young players. Locking up this class early means those rookies can focus entirely on learning the playbook, building chemistry with teammates, and preparing for the rigors of an NFL training camp.
With the full 2026 schedule set to be released tonight at 6:30 p.m. CT, Texans fans have plenty to look forward to. Between a promising rookie class, a confirmed London matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Oct. 18, and a roster that looks deeper than it has in years, the buzz around Houston is building.
For now, the front office can check off another box on its offseason to-do list. Wade Woodaz, Kamari Ramsey, and Lewis Bond are officially Texans. The remaining three will follow soon enough -- and then the real work begins.