Today, the annual unveiling of the National Football League’s Top 100 players begins, as the NFL Network will let us all know, via X which players have been deemed the 100th and 99th best players in the league by a vote of their peers.
Last week, I gave you my predictions on how I think the Houston Texans will fare in this exercise. Last season, they had six of the top 58 players in the sport. I think this season, they will get a minimum of six again, and I think it’s highly likely they’ll get seven, and perhaps as many as nine.
The reveal of the top 100 has been an annual ritual since the summer of 2011. Certainly, the unveiling is more fun when there are more talented players on one’s team for whom they root. From an “overall talent on the roster” standpoint, there’s never been a better time to be a Texans fan. However, we are only a few seasons removed from the worst of times, as a Texans fan.
How has the overall talent level of the Houston Texans correlated with NFL Top 100 recognition? Well, let’s take a look! As the league unveils the 2026 list, here is a full history of the Texans through the lens of the NFL’s Top 100:
2011 (3 players) – 7. Andre Johnson, WR; 25. Arian Foster, RB; 71. Mario Williams, DE
2012 (4 players) – 15. Andre Johnson, WR; 25. Arian Foster, RB; 54. Brian Cushing, LB; 73. Johnathan Joseph, CB
2013 (4 players) – 5. J.J. Watt, DE; 8. Arian Foster, RB; 14. Andre Johnson, WR; 48. Duane Brown, LT
2014 (3 players) – 12. J.J. Watt, DE; 21. Andre Johnson, WR; 86. Duane Brown, LT
2015 (2 players) – 1. J.J. Watt, DE; 80. Arian Foster, RB
2016 (2 players) – 3. J.J. Watt, DE; 19. Deandre Hopkins, WR
2017 (2 players) – 35. J.J. Watt, DE; 49. Jadeveon Clowney, DE
2018 (4 players) – 13. Deandre Hopkins, WR; 32. Jadeveon Clowney, DE; 50. Deshaun Watson, QB; 84. J.J. Watt, DE
2019 (3 players) – 11. Deandre Hopkins, WR; 12. J.J. Watt, DE; 51. Deshaun Watson, QB
2020 (3 players) – 20. Deshaun Watson, QB; 45. J.J. Watt, DE; 66. Laremy Tunsil, LT
2021 (2 players) – 18. Deshaun Watson, QB; 75. Laremy Tunsil, LT
2022 (0 players) – NONE
2023 (1 player) – 85. Laremy Tunsil, LT
2024 (4 players) – 20. C.J. Stroud, QB; * 56. Stefon Diggs, WR; * 68. Danielle Hunter, DE; 71. Laremy Tunsil, LT
2025 (6 players) – 18. Derek Stingley, CB; 25. Danielle Hunter, DE; 32. Nico Collins, WR; 39. C.J. Stroud, QB; 46. Will Anderson, DE; 58. Joe Mixon, RB
- NOTE: Diggs and Hunter were on the Bills and Vikings, respectively, the previous season, so their rankings are based on results generated for other teams the prior year.
Okay, now some fun facts regarding Texans in the Top 100:
Here is the breakdown of number of players by coaching regime….
Keep in mind two things. First, this list didn’t start until the summer following the 2010 season, so for four of Gary Kubiak’s eight seasons there was no list the next summer. Second, each list is based on the season PRIOR to the year its labeled. For example, the 2014 list is based on the 2013 season, so yeah, Kubiak had been fired by the time the list came out, but the list was based on results from the previous season, in which Kubia coached the team. Okay, with that in mind, here are the numbers:
GARY KUBIAK ERA (2011-2014 lists): 14 players
BILL O’BRIEN ERA (2015-2021 lists): 18 players
DAVID CULLEY ERA (2022 list): 0 players
LOVIE SMITH ERA (2023 list): 1 player
DeMECO RYANS ERA (2024-2025 lists): 10 players
Yeah, Ryans has had over half the number of players O’Brien had, and Ryans has done that in just TWO seasons, whereas O’Brien had SEVEN seasons. It’s a testament to Nick Caserio’s work as GM and Ryans’ and his staff’s ability to develop talent.
The best Texans seasons of the NFL Top 100 Era are….
- J.J. Watt, 2015 list (based off 2014 season)
3. J.J. Watt, 2016 list (based off 2015 season)
5. J.J. Watt, 2013 list (based off 2012 season)
7. Andre Johnson, 2011 list (based off 2010 season)
8. Arian Foster, 2013 list (based off 2012 season)
11. Deandre Hopkins, 2019 list (based off 2018 season)
12. J.J. Watt, 2014 list (based off 2013 season)
12. J.J. Watt, 2019 list (based off 2018 season)
13. Deandre Hopkins, 2018 list (based off 2017 season)
14. Andre Johnson, 2013 list (based off 2012 season)
15. Andre Johnson, 2012 list (based off 2011 season)
It’s interesting that this list is dominated by guys who were Kubiak Era guys. As talented as this Texans team is, they have yet to land a player above 18th on this list. That likely changes this season when Will Anderson undoubtedly lands in the Top 15, if not Top 10.
Finally, here is the breakdown of all 43 Texans selections in the Top 100 by position:
Quarterback (6): Watson (2018-21); Stroud (2024-25)
Running back (5): Foster (2011-13, 2015); Mixon (2025)
Wide receiver (9): Johnson (2011-2014); Hopkins (2016, 2018-19); Diggs (2024); Collins (2025)
Tight end (0): None
Offensive line (6): Brown (2013-14); Tunsil (2020-21, 2023-24)
Defensive end (14): Williams (2011); Watt (2013-2020); Clowney (2017-18); Hunter (2024-25); Anderson (2025)
Defensive tackle (0): None
Linebacker (1): Cushing (2012)
Cornerback (2): Joseph (2012); Stingley (2025)
Safety (0): None
