Will top Texans draft picks Rutledge and McDonald be Week 1 starters? Discover when these offensive and defensive talents will make their immediate impact.
Optimism is high in Houston after a strong campaign in the 2025 NFL season. And while the Texans' draft may not provide certainty about the team's pre-draft needs, it does alleviate some concerns over depth and talent at various positions.
The Texans' draft was more than just two picks, but those players are the big storyline coming out of the draft. For the first-round pick, Georgia Tech offensive lineman Keylan Rutledge, the story is, did the Texans reach to draft him? For the second pick, others wonder how Houston was able to draft Ohio State defensive lineman Kayden McDonald so late.
Both players, however, are viewed as potential immediate impact players, and even starters, for as early as the 2026 NFL season. It begs the question: How early will the two draft picks break out for the Texans?
ESPN NFL insider D.J. Bien-Aime is asking the same question. Here's what Bien-Aime is asking about Rutledge and McDonald.
"When will top picks Keylan Rutledge and Kayden McDonald become starters?
Houston's first- and second-round picks have mostly started in Week 1 in recent years. Since 2023, Houston has drafted tackles Blake Fisher and Aireontae Ersery, along with guard Juice Scruggs, wideout Jayden Higgins, quarterback C.J. Stroud, defensive end Will Anderson and cornerback Kamari Lassiter. Over that span, only Fisher and Scruggs weren't immediate starters, largely because Scruggs was injured and Fisher was behind two tackles on high-priced contracts at the time.
So, it shouldn't take long before Rutledge, a guard, and McDonald, a defensive tackle, earn starting roles."
Houston Texans defensive end Derek Barnett (95) in action during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at NRG Stadium. Troy Taormina-Imagn ImagesBien-Aime makes the important distinction between the Texans' highly publicized offensive line need and the position at which Rutledge plays. The Texans entered the draft needing a right tackle replacement for Tytus Howard, who they traded to the Browns for another draft pick.
It was always uncertain that regardless of who they drafted, Houston would still have an unresolved right tackle position until someone stepped up in training camp or preseason action. Nevertheless, Rutledge adds much needed offensive line depth even if he is pigeonholed into the offensive interior.
McDonald, like Rutledge, figures to have a shot to play in Year 1 and perhaps regardless of who starts at his position. The nature of playing defensive tackle, where substitution is more frequent than on the offensive line, is that if you are one of the team's four best defensive tackles, you should end up seeing the field some, if not for much of the game. It's not difficult to see McDonald making the Top 4 of the Texans' defensive tackle room.
We don't know when the two players will play for the Texans, but it could be sooner rather than later. We will find out when the season kicks off in September.