Texans Nab Ohio State DT Kayden McDonald in Surprise No. 36 Pick

HOUSTON — The Houston Texans reshaped their defensive line Saturday, trading up two spots to No. 36 in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft to select Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald. Viewed as one of the draft's top interior defenders, McDonald earned the highest PFF grade among his class at 86.7 overall and a class-leading 91.2 in run-defense grade. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans gains a 6-foot-4, 305-pound force projected to anchor the middle alongside Will Anderson Jr. and edge rushers in Houston's aggressive 4-3 scheme.

McDonald's selection fulfilled pre-draft buzz around bolstering Houston's defense, initially sparked by ABC13 reports on mock drafts targeting high-upside defensive prospects.[context] Though local Texas A&M standout Tyler Onyedim visited NRG Stadium for a top-30 workout, expressing openness to joining the Texans, the team pivoted to McDonald for immediate impact. Overcome with emotion in post-draft interviews, McDonald told ESPN's Laura Rutledge the pick realized his dream of landing in Houston.

PFF graded the Texans' haul a B-, praising McDonald as an "elite run-stuffer" adding 0.901 wins above average across eight picks. Houston's first-round trade-up netted Georgia Tech guard Keylan Rutledge at No. 26 to fortify pass protection, while later selections like Clemson linebacker Wade Woodaz (No. 123) and USC safety Kamari Ramsey (No. 141) deepened the defense. As the draft wrapped in Pittsburgh, Texans fans at local watch parties erupted, eyeing a reloaded roster for NRG Stadium showdowns against AFC South rivals.