With free agency bolstering their offense, the Texans eye a defensive linchpin. Will they secure an impact player at No. 28?
The Houston Texans have been focused on improving their defense this offseason through free agency. That focus could carry over to the NFL draft.
Houston has not neglected the offensive side by any means. The team has added five offensive linemen to its 2026 roster and improved at running back and tight end. That said, the real impact the team has made through free agency has been in retaining its best players on defense and plugging in talented defenders to address weaknesses.
Jared Koch of Houston Texans on SI views the team looking to defense again with its No. 28 overall pick in the first round. Koch explained his reasoning on the selection of Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald.
"Before free agency got off and running, the Texans were almost sure to take a deep look into taking an offensive lineman with their first pick on the board here at 28. But after their aggressiveness in signing multiple starters upfront in Wyatt Teller and Braden Smith, they can turn their attention to the other side of the ball to fill a void on the defensive interior.
McDonald is one of the best defensive tackle prospects in the class, graded out as one of college's best interior run defenders throughout 2025 via PFF, and was a versatile fit on the inside of Ohio State's front by playing over 150 snaps lined up in both the A and B-gap.
Next to Sheldon Rankins, or even as a depth piece behind last year's standout tackle Tommy Togiai, McDonald would be well worth an investment here at 28 to get this defensive line even younger and more explosive than it already is."
Ohio State defensive lineman Kayden McDonald (DL21) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesThe Texans certainly invested in their defensive interior this offseason adding Sheldon Rankins to their 2026 squad. Even so, if they want to get value at the No. 28 pick, that particular spot often lends itself to drafting a defensive tackle and is not always prime positioning for other positions.
The pick would shore up the defensive line but also give the Texans insurance beyond the 2026 season and allow other defensive linemen to walk in free agency if they cannot come to an agreement. In addition, it helps the team achieve a solid two-deep at defensive tackle should McDonald pan out, where depth is paramount to success.
There are any number of ways the Texans can go with the pick, but look for the team to make an underrated selection when they draft at No. 28.