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Five Houston Texans have earned recognition in the NFL Top 100 Players of 2026 rankings. The peer-voted list highlights Houston’s defensive strength and several of the franchise’s leading stars.
Defensive end Will Anderson Jr. leads the Texans at No. 12. Danielle Hunter, Derek Stingley Jr., Nico Collins and Azeez Al-Shaair also made the annual ranking.
Texans Defense Dominates NFL Top 100 Recognition
Anderson climbed 34 places after a dominant 2025 season. He recorded 54 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 12 sacks and three forced fumbles.
The defensive end also earned his first All-Pro selection. In addition, he finished second in voting for the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. Anderson produced an NFL-leading 48 pressures on third down, according to the league’s official rankings.
Hunter followed at No. 23, the highest ranking of his five appearances on the list. The veteran finished 2025 with 15 sacks, 15 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles.
Together, Hunter and Anderson generated 153 pressures. That total led all NFL pass-rushing duos during the season.
Cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. landed at No. 25 after ranking 18th last year. He collected four interceptions, defended 15 passes and returned one interception for a touchdown.
Stingley also received first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors. Opposing quarterbacks targeted him on only 8.5% of his zone coverage snaps, according to NFL Pro Insight data.
Azeez Al-Shaair Makes His Top 100 Debut
Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair entered the NFL Top 100 for the first time at No. 92. He led Houston with 103 tackles across 16 regular-season games.
Al-Shaair added nine passes defended, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one recovery. His performance helped Houston finish with the NFL’s top-ranked defense in total yards allowed.
The recognition followed Al-Shaair’s first Pro Bowl selection. Houston also signed the linebacker to a three-year contract extension during the offseason.
His debut gives the Texans four defensive players among the league’s top 100. Three of those players appeared within the top 25.
Nico Collins Represents the Texans Offense
Wide receiver Nico Collins ranked No. 58, giving Houston an offensive representative on the list. Collins completed his third consecutive 1,000-yard season despite playing 15 games.
He caught 71 passes for 1,117 yards and six touchdowns. His 15.7 yards per reception demonstrated his continued value as Houston’s primary downfield target.
Collins also earned his second consecutive Pro Bowl selection. However, his ranking dropped 26 places from No. 32 in 2025.
The NFL credited Collins with 918 receiving yards while lined up wide. That figure ranked sixth across the league.
Peer Recognition Sets Expectations for Houston
Current NFL players vote on the annual Top 100 list, giving the rankings added significance inside the league. Houston’s five selections reflect the roster’s established talent, particularly on defense.
The recognition also raises expectations as the Texans prepare for the 2026 season. For Houston fans, the list provides another measure of a team seeking to remain among the AFC’s leading contenders.