
Browns draft: Trade down after Oscar Delp picked, add β27 selection and another 5th
Cleveland Browns trade down in 2026 NFL draft, adding picks.
The Houston Texans drafted Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald at No. 36 after trading up. McDonald, a fan favorite, was a standout in college, contributing to the top run defense in the Big Ten.
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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. 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. McDonald, who elected to stay in Pittsburgh after being the last player selected out of the Green Room, made sure to make the moment count as the emotions of hearing his name took over. Here's where he found out that Houston had made him its next pick after trading up to get him at No. 36.
ALL THE FEELS π₯Ή pic.twitter.com/yong29jRqb
β Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) April 24, 2026 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. Fans couldn't believe that the Texans were able to land McDonald, even if they had to give up multiple Day 2 picks. Here were some of the best reactions. π¨#SupFriends REACTIONπ¨#Texans land potentially top DL in Kayden McDonald at pick No. 36.
Yeah, good luck stopping this defense. Youβre winning 12-7 and youβre gonna love it. pic.twitter.com/K4ddxuRQnr
β Cole Thompson (@MrColeThompson) April 25, 2026 ....and Kayden McDonald goes the very next pick to the Texans. That D-Line π
The Texans traded up to ensure they could select Kayden McDonald, who was highly regarded and considered a potential first-round talent.
In his final season at Ohio State, McDonald recorded 65 tackles, nine tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery.
Fans expressed excitement and disbelief on social media, praising the Texans for landing a top defensive talent and anticipating a stronger defense.
McDonald is expected to significantly enhance the Texans' defensive line, contributing to a stronger run defense and overall team performance.

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β Sal Capaccio π (@SalSports) April 24, 2026 The @HoustonTexans just got a THROWBACK NOSE TACKLE in Kayden McDonald out of Ohio State. He has RIDICULOUS play strength that lets him ragdoll centers with an anchor like concrete that completely collapses A-gaps. He will disrupt the pocket with his bull rush and help the runβ¦ pic.twitter.com/oZzXCcrYFQ
β Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 25, 2026 Kayden McDonald drawing double teams for Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter? pic.twitter.com/R0j7HirQj6
β Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) April 24, 2026 Texans trade up for Kayden McDonald.
Sheesh, that is a big addition to an already talented D-Line.
β Jamal St. Cyr (@JStCyrTV) April 24, 2026 Kayden McDonald is a truly dominant run defender pic.twitter.com/SXv5eggZHD
β NFL Draft Files (@NFL\_DF) April 17, 2026 Super cool moment: Kayden McDonald was at the #NFLDraft last night, didnβt get his name called, he came back for Day 2 & got selected by the #Texans.
Off stage #Steelers legend Cam Heyward pulled him aside to share some encouraging words. Respect β #HTownMadepic.twitter.com/2QTy5DsTYO
β Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) April 24, 2026 Please donβt let them get Kayden McDonald
β JP Acosta (@acosta32\_jp) April 24, 2026 KAYDEN MCCDONALD TO THE TEXANS IS THE BEST PICK IN THE DRAFT!!!!!
Good luck scoring against that defense.
β Marcus Mosher (@Marcus\_Mosher) April 24, 2026 47% of Texans users in our draft simulator took Kayden McDonald at pick No. 28.
47%!!!!!!!!!!!
β Seth Walder (@SethWalder) April 24, 2026 How do you even start game-planning to face this Texans defense now after the Kayden McDonald pick?
What weakness is there to attack?
β Mike Renner (@mikerenner\_) April 24, 2026 NO WAYY THE LEAGUE LET HOUSTON GET KAYDEN MCDONALD BRO. pic.twitter.com/scrDttnhGi
β SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) April 24, 2026 I don't think people understand, we are about to see a truly generational Texans defense.
They literally do not have a single hole.
β Cam (@42Cyc) April 24, 2026 Kayden McDonald in the middle of that Texans defense is going to be nuts
β Joe DeLeone (@joedeleone) April 24, 2026 What a great moment for Kayden McDonald.
β Judy Battista (@judybattista) April 24, 2026 "He would hold the door just as good as Hodor." π@ConnorJRogers has Kayden McDonald to the Texans as an A+ pick π₯ pic.twitter.com/GKfRXKpzo5
β B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) April 24, 2026 *This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans draft Ohio State star DL Kayden McDonald, social media reacts*