Kayden McDonald is officially a Houston Texan.
According to his agency, the Texans and McDonald agreed to terms on a four-year, fully guaranteed contract worth $12.904 million. The deal was negotiated by agents Drew Rosenhaus, Robert Bailey and Oliver Chell.
A fan favorite already, many assumed that the former Ohio State product would be in play for Houston at pick No. 28 during the first round of the NFL draft. Instead, the Texans moved up to select Georgia Tech offensive lineman Keylan Rutledge while McDonald fell to Day 2.
When the moment arrived, Houston jumped the New York Giants in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders to select McDonald at pick No. 36. Waiting to leave the green room, McDonald was greeted by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and a slew of Texans fans in attendance at the 2026 draft party in Pittsburgh.
“What I like about Kayden and his tape at Ohio State is the physicality, it shows up,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “When he’s across the line from an offensive lineman, no matter who it was, he was knocking those guys back in the backfield. That translates to the Houston Texans defense.”
The 6-foot-2, 326-pound defensive tackle was considered a top two defensive tackle in the class, often switching off with Clemson’s Peter Woods. Last season, as the anchor of the No. 1 run defense in the Big Ten, McDonald totaled 65 tackles, nine tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in his final season at Ohio State.
“We want to knock guys back, he does that,” Ryans said. “He’s still a very young player who has so much room to grow, so much room to ascend. It starts right here today. You see him in his individual drills. He has the power. We can win with that type of power.”
The Texans need a long-term running mate up the middle to pair with the recently extended Anderson. Even though he’s not the ideal fit for Ryans’ defense as a three-tech, the Texans have needed a difference-maker in the run game with 1-tech potential, so perhaps the switch is a welcome addition beyond 2026.
And McDonald certainly is ready to carve out a role for himself that will remembered for ages to come.
“Win a Super Bowl, Rookie of the Year, All-Pro first year,” McDonald said when asked about his goals. “These are realistic for me. I wrote these down and I’m blessed to be here and I’ve got a chance.”
The Texans close out the rookie minicamp this Saturday and return to the practice field later this month for voluntary workouts. Mandatory OTAs will begin later in June.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans lock up rookie DT Kayden McDonald on a new fully guaranteed 4-year deal
Reporting by Cole Thompson, Texans Wire / Texans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
