Nick Caserio has been up front about his willingness to make a trade in the 2026 draft, just as he has in past cycles, and multiple rival teams are being linked to a potential trade with the Houston Texans.
Last season, Caserio traded out of the first round entirely, making Aireontae Ersery their first selection with the 48th overall pick.
This season could see Caserio and Co. do more of the same.
Texans Get Update on Potential Draft Trade
GettyHouston Texans general manager Nick Caserio speaks to the media during the NFL Combine.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport addressed Caserio’s history of deal-making, noting that the Texans GM could end up disappointing fans on the first night of the draft.
Specifically, Rapoport noted that the Arizona Cardinals and New York Jets are two teams to monitor for a potential trade to move up and draft Alabama’s Ty Simpson, should he slide into the Texans’ draft slot.
Rapoport called it “one of the scenarios to watch going forward in the draft.”
“I think a lot of people in the Texans organization at the Texas draft party, for instance, know there is a possibility that the Texans are not going to pick where they are slated to pick now, which is 28. Now, ‘Could they trade out of [Round] 1?’ is an interesting question, and definitely one of the bigger storylines that we’re going to be following in the lead-up to the draft,” Rapoport told co-host Tom Pelissero on “The Insiders” on April 13.
“Where Ty Simpson goes will go a long way in determining whether or not teams like the Texans–or those teams kind of in that area–whether they actually make the pick or not.”
The Jets own the 33rd overall pick of the 2026 draft, while the Cardinals have the 34th selection. The Texans would move back six slots at most if one of Rapoport’s hypothetical scenarios plays out in the draft. Caserio has done big business with the Cardinals before.
Moreover, the Texans could capitalize on that team’s desire to trade up for a QB in particular.
“If you’re the Houston Texans and you have the opportunity to trade out of the spot for someone who’s going to take a quarterback, that’s what you want. Because that team would then have to pay a quarterback premium. In other words, more than they otherwise would have,” Rapoport told Pelissero.
“I think it’s a very real possibility that those people attending the Texans’ pre-draft party go, ‘Alright. Well, I guess we’ll see what happens tomorrow.’”
Texans Get Insider Update on Potential Trade After Honest Remarks
Nick Caserio Stands on Draft Trade Stance
GettyHouston Texans general manager Nick Caserio speaks to the media during the 2025 NFL Combine.
The Texans own eight selections in the 2026 draft as of April 13, including picks Nos. 38 and 59 in Round 2. Caserio said on Monday that QB was the only position the Texans are not open to drafting this year. Everything else is on the table.
“I think we’re prepared for anything. I don’t think there’s a ‘Well, we’re gonna do this.’ Look, we could go both ways again. It’s always, ‘Who are you trading up for, … how far are you going, and what do you have to give up and return?” Caserio told reporters on April 13. “I’m not trying to be cute here. We could go either way. But again, a lot of it is driven. Trades are always a product of a player. They’re very player-driven.”
Trades may be player-driven, but Caserio remains the one in charge of deciding on the Texans’ behalf.
He has maintained that they will remain flexible this offseason.
“We’re picking 28th right now. That could change, knowing our track record, we’re moving around the board. We just create flexibility and optionality for ourselves,” Caserio said on “The Pat McAfee Show” in February.
“We try to take it case-by-case. So, we’ll deal with free agency. And then, once we get through free agency, take a little snapshot of the team. And then, once we get to the draft, honestly, we’re just picking the best players that we feel are going to help us over the course of our program.”
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