The Houston Texans have officially turned the page from the 2026 NFL Draft to the next critical phase of roster construction: the undrafted free agent frenzy. In the 48 hours following the draft's conclusion on April 25-26, the Texans moved quickly to secure commitments from seven undrafted rookies, adding depth and competition at several positions of need.
General Manager Nick Caserio and his staff have made a habit of mining the undrafted ranks for contributors. In previous cycles, Houston has found rotational players and special teams core members among the players passed over by all 32 teams. This year's class--headlined by a versatile running back and a collegiate punter with a booming leg--continues that tradition.
Let's break down each addition, what they bring to the table, and how they fit into the Texans' crowded roster picture.
RB Noah Whittington -- Oregon
The headliner of this undrafted group is Oregon running back Noah Whittington. A shifty, explosive back with legitimate home-run speed, Whittington was a productive piece of the Ducks' offense over multiple seasons. He rushed for over 1,000 yards combined across the 2022 and 2023 campaigns before a knee injury in 2024 limited his production and likely cost him a draft selection.
Whittington is the type of one-cut-and-go runner who thrives in a zone scheme. He has the lateral agility to make defenders miss in the hole and the second-level burst to turn a crease into a chunk play. At Oregon, he also showed value as a receiver out of the backfield, hauling in 37 catches for 288 yards across his final two healthy seasons.
In Houston, Whittington enters a running back room that features Joe Mixon as the established starter and Dameon Pierce as a power change-of-pace option. The Texans also used a middle-round draft pick on a running back in this year's draft, creating a logjam. Whittington's path to the 53-man roster likely runs through special teams and the practice squad. If he can prove he has fully recovered from his knee injury and demonstrate value as a kick returner, he could push for a roster spot. At minimum, he's an intriguing developmental back with starter upside if he can stay healthy.
P Jack Stonehouse -- Syracuse
Special teams rarely gets headline love, but punter Jack Stonehouse might be the most important signing of this group for the Texans' immediate future. Houston has an unsettled punting situation heading into the 2026 season. While veteran Cameron Johnston is on the roster, the team has consistently looked to add competition in camp.
Stonehouse was a four-year starter at Syracuse and boomed a 48.2-yard average on punts in his final season, with a long of 67 yards. His leg strength is NFL-caliber, and he showed consistent hang time that allows coverage units to get downfield. More importantly, he has experience with directional punting, regularly pinning opponents inside the 20-yard line.
The Texans' special teams coordinator, Frank Ross, will have a full competition to evaluate. Stonehouse enters as a developmental prospect but has the leg to win the job outright if he out-performs the incumbents in preseason action. With the Texans aiming to play complementary football behind a strong defense, field position battles matter. A rookie punter with Stonehouse's upside could be a sneaky valuable addition.
WR Jalen Walthall -- UTEP
Wide receiver depth was a priority for the Texans after the departures of veteran pass-catchers in free agency. Jalen Walthall out of UTEP provides raw athletic potential at a position where the Texans have invested heavily in recent drafts.
Walthall is a big-bodied receiver at 6-foot-3 with the ability to high-point the football and win contested catches. He averaged over 17 yards per reception in his final college season, showing the ability to stretch the field vertically. His route tree was limited in UTEP's offense, but his raw tools--frame, ball skills, and build-up speed--are worth developing.
In Houston, Walthall faces an uphill climb. The Texans have established starters at receiver--such as Nico Collins and Tank Dell--plus mid-round draft picks from this year and last. He will need to flash on special teams and in practice to earn a practice squad spot. However, if he can refine his releases off the line of scrimmage and prove he can separate at the NFL level, he has the physical profile of a future red-zone target.
CB Stephen Hall -- Marshall
Marshall continues to produce NFL defensive backs, and Stephen Hall is the latest to get his shot. Hall was a ball-hawking corner for the Thundering Herd, finishing his career with five interceptions and 18 pass breakups. He has the length and press-man mentality that defensive schemes covet, though his straight-line speed is average by NFL standards.
Hall's best shot at making the roster is as a developmental boundary corner who can contribute on special teams immediately. The Texans have invested significant draft capital in their secondary, but competition for the final cornerback spots is wide open. If Hall can show he can play on the outside and match up physically in training camp, he could stick as a practice squad candidate with a path to active duty later in the season.
DB Dalys Beanum -- South Dakota State
Dalys Beanum is a versatile defensive back who checks the "football player" box before the "athlete" box. Coming from South Dakota State, Beanum played both safety and nickel corner, showcasing a physical, downhill playing style that translates well to NFL special teams coverage units.
Beanum's instincts and tackling ability are his calling cards. He was an All-Missouri Valley Football Conference performer who consistently made plays in the run game and in zone coverage. He lacks elite top-end speed, which likely contributed to his undrafted status, but he has the football IQ and competitive toughness to carve out a role as a core special teamer.
The Texans have a deep safety room but injuries happen quickly. Beanum profiles as a reliable reserve who can step in near the line of scrimmage and not be a liability. His best bet to make the roster is to show he can be a special teams ace from day one.
TE Michael Trigg -- Ole Miss
Michael Trigg's college career was a roller coaster of high-end flashes and frustrating inconsistency. The 6-foot-4, 250-pound tight end began at USC before transferring to Ole Miss, where he showed dynamic receiving ability when healthy. He has the athletic profile to stress defenses down the seam, capable of splitting out wide or flexing into the slot.
However, injuries and inconsistency plagued his tenure. Trigg never put together a full season of elite production, which is why he went undrafted despite clear NFL-caliber athletic traits. In Houston, he joins a tight end room that features Dalton Schultz as the primary pass-catching option and a couple of blocking specialists. There is an opportunity for a reserve who can add a vertical element to the offense.
Trigg's path is simple: stay healthy and prove he can be a reliable target in camp. If he does, he could push for a roster spot as a third tight end who offers a different skill set than the team's other options. If not, he's a prime practice squad candidate.
DL Dominic Bailey -- Marshall
Dominic Bailey is the second Marshall product in this undrafted class, and he brings an interior pass-rush presence that the Texans value highly. Bailey was a disruptive defensive tackle for the Thundering Herd, finishing his career with 12.5 sacks and 24 tackles for loss. He has a quick first step and active hands that allow him to penetrate gaps and create havoc in the backfield.
At the NFL level, Bailey projects as a situational pass rusher on third down. He does not have the mass to hold up as a two-down run stuffer, but he has the get-off and motor to be a rotational sub-package player. The Texans have invested heavily in their defensive line under head coach DeMeco Ryans, but rotations are deep and injuries are common.
Bailey will need to show he can rush the passer against NFL-caliber interior offensive linemen. If he can, he has a real chance to earn a roster spot as a designated interior rusher. His college production suggests he has the talent; now it's about translating it to the pro level.
The Big Picture
The Texans entered the 2026 draft in a strong position, with a young core already in place and high draft picks used to address premium positions. The undrafted free agent class is the finishing touch--a collection of players who may never make a regular-season impact but offer important depth, competition, and developmental upside.
For every undrafted player who makes a 53-man roster, there are a dozen who end up on practice squads or waived entirely. But the Texans have consistently found contributors in this pool. Players like this seven-man group are why training camp battles matter.
Whittington and Stonehouse are the most likely to immediately push for roster spots. Walthall, Hall, Beanum, Trigg, and Bailey are longer-term developmental projects with specific skill sets that could pay dividends down the road.
The 2026 season is still months away, but the Texans have already shown they are leaving no stone unturned in their quest to build sustainable depth behind a talented starting lineup. These seven undrafted free agents now have their shot. For the fans, the name to watch first is Noah Whittington. But as history has shown, sometimes the most impactful undrafted signings come from the names nobody expected.
