Dream Team Project
Houston Texans Dream Team
The all-time Texans lineup, position by position. Every player here suited up for the Texans. Disagree with a pick? Leave a comment or nominate someone below.
How we pick
One real lineup per franchise, judged on what each player did in this uniform: impact, playoff moments and longevity with the team first, league honors second. Players are measured against their own era, and every entry is checked against the team site, the Pro Football Hall of Fame or Pro Football Reference.
The roster
Our picks, grouped by unit.
Offense
11 playersQB
Matt Schaub
Longest-tenured Texans starter, at the helm for the first division titles.
2× Pro Bowl (2009, 2012); led NFL in passing yards 2009
Sources: Wikipedia
RB
Arian Foster
Undrafted back who became the franchise leader in rushing yards and TDs.
4× Pro Bowl; 2010 1st-team All-Pro; NFL rushing champion 2010; Texans career rushing leader
Sources: Wikipedia
WR
Andre Johnson
Face of the early franchise and the first Texans draftee in the Hall of Fame.
7× Pro Bowl; 2× 1st-team All-Pro; led NFL in receiving yards 2008 & 2009; Hall of Fame
Sources: Pro Football Hall of Fame; Wikipedia
WR
DeAndre Hopkins
Three straight first-team All-Pro seasons as Houston's top target.
4× Pro Bowl with HOU; 3× 1st-team All-Pro (2017-2019); led NFL in receiving TDs 2017
Sources: Wikipedia
WR
Nico Collins
Big-bodied No. 1 receiver of the C.J. Stroud era; edges out a thin field.
2× Pro Bowl (2024, 2025)
Sources: Wikipedia
TE
Owen Daniels
Reliable target for eight seasons and the most decorated Texans tight end.
2× Pro Bowl (2008, 2012)
Sources: Wikipedia
LT
Duane Brown
Decade-long blindside anchor of the first Texans playoff teams.
3× Pro Bowl with HOU (2012-2014); 2012 1st-team All-Pro
Sources: Wikipedia
LG
Chester Pitts
Original Texan and a day-one starter who held down the left side for years.
Member of the inaugural 2002 team; eight seasons at left guard and left tackle
Sources: Wikipedia
C
Chris Myers
Pivot of the zone-blocking line behind Arian Foster's best seasons.
2× Pro Bowl (2011, 2012)
Sources: Wikipedia
RG
Brandon Brooks
Powerful guard who started three seasons in Houston; a thin position here.
Four seasons with HOU, three as a starter
Sources: Wikipedia
RT
Eric Winston
Fixture at right tackle through the rise to the first playoff berth.
87 starts at right tackle for HOU; starter on the 2011 division champions
Sources: Wikipedia
Defense
11 playersDT
D.J. Reader
Run-stuffing nose tackle of the late-2010s defenses; a thin position here.
Four seasons at nose tackle for HOU
Sources: Wikipedia
DT
Seth Payne
Expansion-draft pick who manned the middle for the first five seasons.
Selected in the 2002 expansion draft; five seasons with HOU
Sources: Wikipedia
DE
J.J. Watt
Most dominant player in franchise history and a three-time DPOY.
3× Defensive Player of the Year (2012, 2014, 2015); 5× 1st-team All-Pro; 5× Pro Bowl; led NFL in sacks 2012 & 2015
Sources: Wikipedia
EDGE
Mario Williams
First great Texans pass rusher, a force off the edge for six seasons.
2× Pro Bowl with HOU (2008, 2009); 2nd-team All-Pro 2007
Sources: Wikipedia
LB
Brian Cushing
Spent all nine seasons in Houston as the tone-setter at linebacker.
2009 Defensive Rookie of the Year; 2009 Pro Bowl; 2nd-team All-Pro 2011
Sources: Wikipedia
LB
DeMeco Ryans
Captain of the early defenses who later returned as head coach.
2006 Defensive Rookie of the Year; 2× Pro Bowl (2007, 2009); 2nd-team All-Pro 2007
Sources: Wikipedia
LB
Whitney Mercilus
Decade-long outside linebacker and steady pass rusher alongside Watt.
2nd-team All-Pro 2016; ten seasons with HOU
Sources: Wikipedia
CB
Johnathan Joseph
Veteran corner whose arrival coincided with the first playoff runs.
2× Pro Bowl (2011, 2012); 2nd-team All-Pro 2011
Sources: Wikipedia
CB
Derek Stingley Jr.
Lockdown corner with back-to-back first-team All-Pro seasons.
2× 1st-team All-Pro (2024, 2025); 2× Pro Bowl (2024, 2025)
Sources: Wikipedia
S
Justin Reid
Four-year starter at safety from his rookie season; a thin position here.
Starting free safety from Week 6 of his 2018 rookie year
Sources: Wikipedia
S
Jalen Pitre
Versatile safety and slot defender on the DeMeco Ryans defenses.
PFWA All-Rookie Team 2022; signed a three-year extension in 2025
Sources: Wikipedia
Special Teams / Coaching
4 playersK
Ka'imi Fairbairn
Texans kicker since 2017 and owner of the team's longest field goal.
Led NFL in scoring 2018; 44 FG in 2025 tied the NFL season record; Texans-record 61-yard FG
Sources: Wikipedia
P
Shane Lechler
All-time great punter who spent his final five seasons in Houston.
Led NFL in punting yards 2017; five seasons with HOU
Sources: Wikipedia
RET
Jacoby Jones
Explosive punt and kick returner for five seasons before his Baltimore fame.
70-yard punt return TD in 2008; five seasons as HOU returner
Sources: Wikipedia
COACH
Gary Kubiak
Built the first winner in Houston and delivered the first playoff victory.
Texans career leader in coaching wins; first division title and playoff win (2011); 12-4 in 2012
Sources: Wikipedia
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