Texans DT Kayden McDonald: Why He's Ranked No. 24 Before Taking a Snap
Texans DT Kayden McDonald: Why He's Ranked No. 24 Before Taking a Snap
The Houston Texans rookie has the chance to make waves in his first year pro.Jared Koch|
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Houston TexansIt's time to continue our rankings for the top 25 Houston Texans for the 2026 season, narrowing down which players around the roster will have the greatest impact for the upcoming year on the horizon.
Following our last entry of Keylan Rutledge, we've got our second rookie making an early bid into the list without taking an NFL snap––that's the Texans' second-round selection from earlier this offseason: Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald:
Why Kayden McDonald is So Important
The Texans made a clear statement by investing in McDonald with their first pick on day two; largely in a similar approach to how they secured Rutledge the day before by trading up a couple of spots in the second round to do so.
And the logic was simple: the Texans needed to add depth on the interior of their defense, wanted to enhance their run-stopping ability, and McDonald was the clear best option left on the board to do so.
He'll be someone who takes time to truly reach his ceiling as an impactful defensive tackle amd one who can mesh well into the Texans' specific scheme. But there's most definitely room for him to create a dent as soon as year one as another chess piece for DeMeco Ryans to use on this stout defensive line.
He's an explosive, powerful bowling ball of a force on the inside, one of the best run defenders in the class, and is only 21 years old coming into the league.
If not a seriously nice addition as early as year one, he'll be a huge piece of this Texans' defensive front for the foreseeable future. However, there's a large runway for him to make his presence felt in 2026.
McDonald's Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
- Powerful, strong force on the interior
- Instant upgrade to stopping the run
- Impressive tackling production from the inside
Weaknesses
- Not a natural scheme fit in DeMeco Ryans' wide-9 front
- Still needs to develop as a pass-rusher
- Inexperienced; one season starting at Ohio State
What Happens if McDonald Gets Hurt?
The Texans have an intriguing layer of depth that sits around McDonald in the defensive tackle room that will not only help him make his initial transition to the pros, but also helps this defense entirely if he gets banged up throughout the year.
Houston will have their 2025 standout Tommy Togiai ready to build off an impressive year in the mix, while Logan Hall will also be a part of that defensive line rotation as a versatile piece who could be used both on the inside and as a depth piece on the edge.
Losing McDonald in any capacity would hurt the Texans' chances to bolster their run defense and their overall versatility on their defensive front as well. But compared to several other position groups on the roster, Houston could patch up his loss pretty effectively.
Why We Ranked McDonald Here
It's the second rookie in a row to find their way into the Texans' top 25 already, so perhaps I'm a little bit bullish on this incoming class from what the reality might be. McDonald might not even be a day one starter, and might take a bit of extra time to adjust to Houston's specific scheme.
But even if just a rotational piece, the way that McDonald could be utilized in Ryans' defense in that regard will be a huge presence to have in helping get this group even better than how they finished last season.
He can alleviate pressure from Sheldon Rankins on the interior and offer another option to rotate in and allow him extra rest, but also takes attention off of this elite Texans edge rush duo in Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter to work to the best of their abilities.
Last season, the Texans finished as the fourth-best run defense in terms of opposing yards (1,593) and sixth in yards per carry (4.0). That's solid as is, but for as elite as this Houston defense prides themselves on being, that still leaves room for improvement in 2026.
If McDonald can just be another powerful and reliable rotation piece to push that in the right direction, it's a win for Houston. If he can diversify his pass-rush ability to refine his game on that end, he might even overcome Togiai on the depth chart, and surge up these rankings this time next year.
Published Jun 18, 2026
JARED KOCHJared Koch is the Publisher of Houston Texans On SI. He has covered the NFL & NBA with On SI since 2023, and is a graduate of Western Kentucky University.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
