Houston Texans Draft Pick: Kayden McDonald, DT from Ohio State; New York Giants Add Colton Hood, CB from Tennessee; Las Vegas Raiders Select Treydan Stukes, S from Arizona

The Houston Texans selected Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald with the No. 36 overall pick in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, trading up with the Las Vegas Raiders to secure the defensive lineman who was named the Big Ten’s defensive lineman of the year in 2025.

McDonald, a 6-foot-2, 326-pound defensive tackle, finished the 2025 season with 65 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, three sacks, and two forced fumbles, becoming an integral part of Ohio State’s defense under head coach Matt Patricia. His performance earned him recognition as a key run defender who consistently disrupted opposing offensive lines.

The Texans moved up two spots in the draft order by sending their No. 38 and No. 91 picks to the Raiders in exchange for the No. 36 and No. 117 selections. This trade allowed Houston to leapfrog the New York Giants, who had also shown interest in McDonald after trading Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals.

McDonald is the fifth Ohio State player selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, joining offensive linemen Carnell Tate (No. 4 overall to the Tennessee Titans), Arvell Reese (No. 5 to the New York Giants), Sonny Styles (No. 7 to the Washington Commanders), and defensive back Caleb Downs (No. 11 to the Dallas Cowboys). He becomes the fourth Buckeye defensive lineman drafted in the last three years, following Tyleik Williams (2025, Lions), Ty Hamilton (2025, Rams), and Michael Hall Jr. (2024, Browns).

Upon joining the Texans, McDonald will reunite with former Ohio State defensive tackle Tommy Togiai on Houston’s interior defensive line. He also joins fellow Buckeyes C.J. Stroud (quarterback) and Cade Stover (tight end) on the Texans’ roster, strengthening the connection between the two programs.

Analysts praised the selection, with Yahoo Sports awarding the pick an “A” grade, noting that McDonald could have been selected in the first round but provided excellent value at No. 36 as a rare playmaker at nose tackle for a defense that plays aggressively. CBS Sports gave the selection an “A+” grade, highlighting his immediate impact potential for Houston’s defensive line.

After the selection, McDonald expressed his emotions, stating, “I’m just so blessed. I’m just so thankful. I’m just so emotional. Where I came from, and now I’m here, it’s just a blessing,” reflecting on his journey to the NFL.