Texans’ Second-Round DT Kayden McDonald Signs Rookie Deal

After the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft came to a close, rumors claimed that multiple teams were attempting to work their way up closer to the top of the second round. Houston was the first team to successfully do so, and today, they landed the signature of the player they drafted after trading up. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald has signed his fully guaranteed four-year, $12.9MM rookie deal.

After essentially redshirting in his first year with the Buckeyes, McDonald held a rotational role off the bench in the team’s 2024 championship run. 2025 was McDonald’s first and only season as a full-time starter, but the All-American defender showed enough in 14 games to prove he was NFL ready. The disruptive, explosive defensive tackle made plays all over the field for Ohio State, notching 65 total tackles, three sacks, and nine tackles for loss. He showed good production in the pass rush, but he really excelled as a run stopper.

McDonald was widely expected to be the class’s only first-round interior defender. He even attended the draft in person just to slip into Day 2 while watching Florida’s Caleb Banks and Clemson’s Peter Woods hear their names called in the first round. Sitting atop the board of best remaining players for hours, he clearly was seen as a priority for a few clubs. Houston’s efforts to move up came with an intention to get ahead of the Giants, who they thought might take McDonald as a replacement for Dexter Lawrence.

Stepping into one of the NFL’s top defenses last year, McDonald should have a chance to earn a big role on a defensive line that returns Sheldon Rankins and Tommy Togiai but lost Tim Settle to free agency. McDonald should be able to slot right in as the first interior defensive lineman off the bench and could find himself in a starting role if free agency takes another body away next year.

By landing McDonald’s signature, Houston has just cracked the seal on signing its rookie draft class. Here’s a look at the work that remains to be done:

• Round 1, No. 26 (from Bills): Keylan Rutledge (G, Georgia Tech)
• Round 2, No. 36 (from Raiders): Kayden McDonald (DT, Ohio State) (signed)
• Round 2, No. 59: Marlin Klein (TE, Michigan)
• Round 4, No. 106 (from Commanders): Febechi Nwaiwu (G, Oklahoma)
• Round 4, No. 123 (from Chargers): Wade Woodaz (LB, Clemson)
• Round 5, No. 141 (from Raiders via Browns): Kamari Ramsey (S, USC)
• Round 6, No. 204 (from Chargers): Lewis Bond (WR, Boston College)
• Round 7, No. 243 (from 49ers): Aiden Fisher (LB, Indiana)