Sports
Kairi Sane, Wyatt Sicks, Aleister Black among flood of WWE roster cuts after WrestleMania 42
WWE cuts over 15 wrestlers, including Kairi Sane and Aleister Black, post-WrestleMania 42.
Yahoo Sports1 min read
Sports
Texans bolster trenches, trade up for Ohio State DL Kayden McDonald
TL;DR
The Houston Texans traded up to select Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald in the NFL draft. General manager Nick Caserio secured the fan-favorite player by giving up two draft picks to move up two spots.
Key points
- Texans traded up to select Kayden McDonald
- McDonald is an All-American defensive tackle
- He was a key player in college football's best run defense
- General manager Nick Caserio made the move to secure McDonald
- McDonald previously visited the Texans for a formal interview
Mentioned in this story
Ohio StateNick CaserioDeMeco Ryans
Kayden McDonaldHouston Texans
Welcome to Houston, Kayden McDonald.
Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio isn't playing games this draft season. After being linked to the Ohio State defensive tackle for weeks, Caserio ensured that he'd be coming to Houston, trading away two draft picks to move up two spots to select the All-American.
For weeks viewed as a fan favorite for Houston, McDonald previously visited Reliant Stadium following the NFL combine for a top-30 visit. He also met with the Texans for a formal interview at the combine and followed up with the staff at Ohio State's Pro Day late last month.
A native of Texarkana who later moved to Georgia, McDonald might not fit the typical mold of what DeMeco Ryans has historically searched for in defensive tackles, but perhaps that's promising since variety could only bolster the defensive front. More than anything, the Texans need productive players. Enter McDonald, who was the anchor to one of college football's best run defenses last season under longtime NFL defensive coordinator Matt Patricia.
The 6-foot-2, 326-pound defensive tackle was considered by many to be a lock for the first round. Since he fell into Day 2, it became clear that Houston would be back on the market. Last season, as the anchor of the No. 1 run defense in the Big Ten, he totaled 65 tackles, nine tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in his final season at Ohio State.
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.
To land McDonald, the Texans gave up picks No. 38 and No. 91, the pick acquired in the deal for Georgia Tech offensive lineman Keylan Rutledge. Houston will also pick up No. 117 on Day 3.
The Texans still own one more pick on Day 2.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans bolster trenches, trade up for Ohio State DL Kayden McDonald
Q&A
Why did the Texans trade up for Kayden McDonald?
The Texans traded up to ensure they could select Kayden McDonald, who was a fan favorite and a key player in college football's top run defense.
What impact will Kayden McDonald have on the Texans' defense?
Kayden McDonald is expected to bolster the Texans' defensive front, providing versatility and productivity as an anchor in their run defense.
What were the details of the Texans' trade to acquire McDonald?
The Texans traded away two draft picks to move up two spots in the draft to select Kayden McDonald.