Texans fortify the trenches, taking Rutledge in Round 1 and McDonald in second round of NFL draft

HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Texans addressed their biggest needs in this year’s NFL draft by shoring up their interior offensive and defensive lines with their top picks. The Texans traded up two spots to take guard Keylan Rutledge with the 26th overall pick in the draft. It marked the first time they’d taken a player in the first round since selecting quarterback C.J. Stroud and defensive end Will Anderson Jr. second and third overall in 2023. Rutledge will compete immediately for a spot on a line that has struggled in the interior. They have veterans Wyatt Teller and Ed Ingram at the guard positions, but Rutledge could provide a more long-term solution. General manager Nick Caserio believes his physical style of play will help improve the team’s running game after their offseason trade for running back David Montgomery. While the Texans are set at defensive end with stars Anderson and Danielle Hunter, they addressed their need at defensive tackle by trading up to take Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald with the fourth pick in the second round. Caserio felt fortunate to get McDonald, who he was a consensus All-American, in the second round. He was the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year after he had 65 tackles, including nine for losses and three sacks last season. “We felt McDonald was probably the best run defender in the draft,” Caserio said. “Had a really productive season. Defensive tackle that was involved in ... 60-plus tackles, it’s pretty impressive.” The 6-foot-2, 326-pound McDonald said falling down the draft board will motivate him to prove people wrong. “Everybody that went before me, that fuels me,” he said. “There’s not one player better than me in this class. I’m going to show it. I’m coming in to work.” Coach is thrilled to have added McDonald to a defense that was among the best in the NFL last season. “McDonald is the guy we all — scouts, coaches, everybody, the collective group, everybody liked the talent,” Ryans said. “A young player, but he’s grown. He shows the strength in the run game. He shows the ability to get off blocks and finish.” The Texans added another player that could help on the offensive line with fourth-round pick Febechi Nwaiwu. The Oklahoma standout was a second-team All-SEC selection by the league’s coaches after starting 11 games at right guard and two at center for the Sooners last season.