Texans Make Blockbuster Trade to Land Elite RB in 2026 NFL Draft

Houston Texans trade up to No. 5 overall to select dynamic running back Jeremiyah Love, pairing him with power back David Montgomery.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 8:34am

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in bold, vibrant colors depicting a football game between the Houston Texans and New York Giants, with the players and action broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes, creating a dynamic, energetic visual representation of the strategic trade.The Texans' bold move to trade up and select dynamic running back Jeremiyah Love will reshape their high-powered offense and elevate their championship aspirations.Houston Today

The Houston Texans are making a bold move in the 2026 NFL Draft, trading up from the 28th overall pick to the 5th overall selection with the New York Giants. The steep price includes this year's 28th pick, a 2026 second-rounder, and a 2027 first-rounder. In return, the Texans will land elite running back prospect Jeremiyah Love, who they believe will elevate their already potent offense to new heights when paired with power back David Montgomery.

Why it matters

The Texans are in win-now mode with a talented roster and ascending quarterback CJ Stroud. By trading up for Love, they are going all-in on building an unstoppable offense that can carry them to a championship. Love's speed, receiving ability, and versatility will create nightmarish matchups for opposing defenses.

The details

The Texans have aggressively reshaped their roster this offseason, overhauling the offensive line and locking up star pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. to a record-setting extension. Now they're making another bold move, targeting the 5th overall pick from the Giants to select Jeremiyah Love. Love is a dynamic back who can line up all over the formation, providing a perfect complement to the physical, between-the-tackles running of David Montgomery. Together, they'll form a 'Thunder and Lightning' backfield that will stress defenses in multiple ways.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft will take place on April 24-26, 2026.

The players

Jeremiyah Love

A highly touted running back prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft, known for his elite speed, receiving skills, and versatility to line up all over the formation.

David Montgomery

The Texans' incumbent power running back, known for his physical, bruising running style that complements the explosiveness of Jeremiyah Love.

CJ Stroud

The Texans' franchise quarterback, who will benefit greatly from having a dynamic backfield duo like Montgomery and Love to elevate the passing game.

Nick Caserio

The Texans' general manager, who is making a bold, aggressive move to trade up and land a game-changing offensive weapon in Jeremiyah Love.

Will Anderson Jr.

The Texans' star pass rusher, who was recently signed to a record-setting extension as the team continues to build a championship-caliber roster.

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What they’re saying

“Jeremiyah Love is the kind of offensive weapon who expands a system. With elite speed, refined receiving ability, and spatial awareness, he embodies the modern NFL's obsession with versatility and mismatch creation.”

— Enzo Flojo, Author

“Together, Montgomery and Love form a pairing that elevates everything around them. Love's presence directly enhances the effectiveness of the passing game, providing CJ Stroud with a dynamic outlet who can win immediately in space.”

— Enzo Flojo, Author

What’s next

The Texans will look to address other key needs, particularly along the offensive and defensive lines, with their remaining draft capital after the trade up for Jeremiyah Love.

The takeaway

The Texans are going all-in on building an unstoppable offense that can carry them to a championship. By trading up for Jeremiyah Love, they are adding a game-changing weapon to pair with David Montgomery, creating a 'Thunder and Lightning' backfield that will stress defenses in multiple ways and elevate the entire offense.