Texans Doubled Back Amid Continued Interest in Coverted Safety 

The Houston Texans have been mired in trade speculation around veteran linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair in recent days, but teammate Henry To’oTo’o could be a more fitting candidate, and Wade Woodaz looms large as the latter’s potential replacement.

Woodaz is part of a deep linebacker class in the 2026 draft.

He could be a long-term developmental project, or someone the Texans hope could come in and contribute as a reserve right away.

Texans Double Up on Interest in Wade Woodaz

GettyWade Woodaz #17 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates a sack against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.

Woodaz noted in a recent interview that he has “been on a bunch of Zoom calls” since the draft combine, including making second contact with the Texans. They first showed interest in Woodaz at the combine.

They followed up in the days that followed.

“I had formal interviews at the NFL Combine with the Houston Texans and New York Jets,” Woodaz told NFL Draft on SI’s Justin Melo in an interview published on March 22. “I’ve spoken with the Seattle Seahawks quite a bit throughout this pre-draft process. I met with the Texans for a second time virtually. I have a second meeting with the Jets [virtually]. I’ve also had numerous meetings with the Los Angeles Chargers. I also met with the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins in person around my pro day.”

Chatter about Al-Shaair has been met with strong pushback amid his relationship with Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans, even as he enters the final year of his contract.

However, To’oTo’s future is less certain. A fifth-round draft pick in 2023, To’oTo’o is also entering the final year of his contract, and there is less of an expectation for him to receive an extension than Al-Shaair.

That could open the door for Woodaz to the Texans.

Wade Woodaz a Polarizing Prospect

GettyWade Woodaz #17 of the Clemson Tigers reads the offense against the Duke Blue Devils.

Woodaz was a four-year contributor and two-year starter for the Clemson Tigers, making him an experienced prospect. However, his production has left something to be desired heading into the draft, creating uncertainty around his outlook.

The intrigue around Woodaz comes amid some strong criticism, with NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein noting the former Tigers backer “punches in and goes to work.”

However, Woodaz also “fails to stamp games with high-level impact.”

“Woodaz has adequate size and diagnose quickness. However, he lacks base strength and take-on pop to keep himself clean through contact. He displays good awareness in zone drops and has enough man-cover talent to match with some pass-catching tight ends underneath. Woodaz,” Zierlein wrote in his pre-draft profile.

“Needs to add strength, play faster and become more forceful in everything he does. He has a chance to develop into an average backup Will linebacker, but his work on special teams is what will get him on the field early on.”

Woodaz finished last season with 70 total tackles, 7 stops for loss, and 0.5 sacks.

Woodaz had 201 combined stops, 28.5 for loss, 9.0 sacks, 3 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 defensive touchdown in his career.

Wade Woodaz Values Experience at Safety

GettyWade Woodaz #17 of the Clemson Tigers breaks up a pass intended for Dakota Twitty #83 of the Virginia Cavaliers.

The Texans do not have any true needs on the back end, signing former Philadelphia Eagles starter and Super Bowl champion Reed Blankenship in free agency, but Woodaz’s experience as the last line of defense could still help them.

Woodaz told Melo his high school days at safety made him “very comfortable playing downhill.”

“As a former safety, stopping the run is very critical to being successful,” Woodaz told Melo. “It definitely translated pretty naturally for me when I made the transition to linebacker.”

“I still have areas to improve in. I have to keep getting better as a linebacker. I have to clean up my tackling, and my hand usage can get better. I can play with better pad level as well. I just have to keep going to work.”

Woodaz is a late-round prospect who could even go undrafted.

The Texans re-signed veteran E.J. Speed in free agency. He could serve as a bridge to Woodaz if the Texans decide to part ways with To’oTo’o, though there have been no signs of that, either.

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