Battle Red Blog at the 2026 NFL Draft: Day Two

McDonald, 21, finished his junior season as the clear cut best run defender in all of college football. Finishing with over 60 tackles, 9.0 tackles-for-loss, 3.0 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and All-American honors, you’d think the stat line would do him justice but it just can’t. Turn on highlights of any Ohio State game last season and you’ll see McDonald use his body to ruin the opposing team’s ground game. For opposing linemen, the battle with McDonald is usually over as soon as he starts lurching forward. His arms are like tungsten rods piercing through his enemies, comically heavy and practically demanding a two-man effort to keep him contained. When he’s not double-teamed, McDonald is often able to rely on his initial burst or strength to beat the opposing lineman, but he’s also savvy at shedding blocks and getting in position to stop the ball carrier.

I was thrilled after hearing McDonald got drafted by the Texans. Me and Battle Red Blog contributor Nickschwager high-fived in the media room, definitely made too much noise, and then, the heavens parted: Kayden McDonald had returned to the draft on night two, and he’ll be available for questions from the media! This was the moment Nick and I had been waiting for: to actually record and ask a new Houston Texan some questions! We both got great footage, I even got a question in (crying as I type this), and it all went up on social media last night. Here they are:

And it wasn’t just the footage Nick and I got last night. McDonald had a very emotional walk to the draft stage, crying on NFL commissioner Roger Goodell’s shoulder, either overwhelmed or supremely relieved after being drafted. While he was answering questions, however, McDonald was all business. The thrill of the moment was still in his eye, but the sense of joy and/or relief had since been replaced by a sort of pride and determination that can only be found in players ready to hit the ground running. I couldn’t help but smile while he was answering questions, knowing that the resolve within him will be fuel for the entire Texans team this fall. Kayden McDonald is ready, and he had me ready to run through a wall by the time he was leaving the podium.

It was just a miracle. Couldn’t have scripted it better. Houston has found two starters right at the top of the draft, and are well on their way to becoming an unstoppable football team. However, the big name, crowd-pleasing picks that were powering the party didn’t last all night for the Battle Red Bloggers. Following McDonald’s pick, and immediately after talking to him, the Texans drafted TE Marlin Klein from Michigan.

Klein, a late-riser in this draft period, didn’t earn a whole lot of analysts’ trust with his play in Michigan. He fits as a solid in-line TE that can back up Texans starter Dalton Schultz, but the lack of offense in Michigan in 2025 kept Klaire’s ceiling shrouded in mystery. He’s not much of a route-runner, but Klein is a great blocker that can be trusted to seal an edge for RB Woody Marks or incoming RB David Montgomery. Although…with the two second-round picks being from Ohio State and Michigan…it might be a little awkward at rookie minicamp…

The Texans wouldn’t pick again on day two, but they’ve set themselves up for a very interesting day three, which will encompass rounds 4-7. The Texans will have these picks on day three of the draft:

• Round 4, Pick 6 (106th Overall)
• Round 4, Pick 17 (117th Overall)
• Round 5, Pick 1 (141st Overall)
• Round 7, Pick 27 (243rd Overall)

What did you think of day two of the NFL Draft? Did the Texans address the needs you were expecting? Were you one of the lucky fans crossing their fingers for Mayden McDonald, or did you have another player in mind? Are there any players left on the board that you’re dying for? For me, there’s still several players left I can see making an impact:

• OT Drew Shelton, Penn State
• RB Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas
• RB Emmett Johnson, Nebraska
• RB Kaytron Allen, Penn State
• TE Michael Trigg, Baylor
• TE Tanner Koziol, Houston
• WR Elijah Surratt, Indiana
• WR Bryce Lance, North Dakota State
• EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State
• LB Kyle Louis, Pitt
• LB Deontae Lawson, Alabama
• LB Harold Perkins Jr., LSU
• CB Keionte Scott, Miami
• S Jalon Kilgore, South Carolina
• S Zakee Wheatley, Penn State

Two days down and only one to go, the moon rises softly into the Pittsburgh sky. Like a balloon fastened to a wrist of a child, it is only a quick flick of the wrist away from being pulled back down to Earth, letting the sun return on day three of the NFL Draft, which will run a bit earlier that the first nights, starting at 12:00PM EST. This brief period where the moon floats on high, the Texans organization and GM Nick Caserio re-arm for what is almost guaranteed to be another trade-filled day tomorrow. Only time will tell, but I’m predicting…two trades from Houston tomorrow.

If you want to follow along with the draft, Kenneth has put together an excellent draft-day tracker on Battle Red Blog. Keep your eyes on that page to keep up with any updates on day three of the draft, and for all other Texans news and analysis, keep it tuned to Battle Red Blog!

Go Texans! Go Kayden McDonald and Marlin Klein!