The Houston Texans finally got a win, but their 26-3 victory over the Tennessee Titans did little to silence concerns about the team’s rookie class. Houston snapped its four-game losing streak in Week 5, with C.J. Stroud delivering two total touchdowns and the defense controlling the game. Yet several of the Texans’ 2026 draft picks have struggled to make an impact.
That concern is reflected in Sports Illustrated’s latest draft-class rankings. After Week 5, the publication gave Houston a D+, pointing to rookie guard Keylan Rutledge’s struggles, defensive tackle Kayden McDonald’s injury and tight end Marlin Klein’s absence from the active lineup.
Rutledge, Houston’s first-round pick at No. 26 overall, has been among the interior linemen struggling to establish himself. McDonald missed time with an injury before making his NFL debut, while Klein’s situation is one of the most concerning developments among Houston’s rookies. The Texans selected the Michigan tight end with the 59th overall pick, making him a top-100 selection. Yet he was inactive against both Dallas in Week 4 and Tennessee in Week 5 despite being healthy enough to play.
Houston’s veteran starters- Dalton Schultz, offseason addition Foster Moreau, Cade Stover and Brevin Jordan sit ahead of the rookie in the team’s rotation. Fourth-round guard Febechi Nwaiwu was inactive against Tennessee, while seventh-round linebacker Aiden Fisher also missed the game. Those absences further limit the immediate impact of Houston’s draft class.
Three Watchful Things in Texans’ Week 5 Performance
Houston beat Tennessee 26-3, but its ground attack remains a major weakness. The Texans managed only 79 rushing yards on 27 attempts, averaging 2.9 yards per carry. Woody Marks contributed 62 rushing yards, while David Montgomery left early with a groin injury. The offensive line also struggled with penalties that erased promising runs. Houston cannot rely on Stroud’s arm alone, especially against better defenses.
The Texans’ defense delivered its best performance of the season against Tennessee. Houston allowed only 187 total yards, forced two turnovers and recorded four sacks. Will Anderson Jr. had three sacks, and Danielle Hunter added another. However, one strong performance does not erase the problems that appeared during the team’s first four games.
The upcoming matchup with Jacksonville will provide a much tougher test. The Jaguars enter Week 6 at 4-1 and have won three straight games. Houston will need its pass rush and secondary to work together again if it hopes to pull off an upset.
More on the Houston Texans
- Texans Position Group Report Card Following Win Over Titans
- 5 Overreactions to Texans’ Win Over Titans in Week 5, Including Will Anderson Jr.’s DPOY Case
- Texans Snap Counts Show Woody Marks Is Ready to Carry the Backfield Without David Montgomery
- Texans AFC South Round Up: Division Outlook Going Into Week 6
