Top Houston Texans Storylines Heading Into Rookie Minicamp

DT Kayden McDonald’s adjustment to the scheme in the Texans front

Second-rounder Kayden McDonald was pegged by draft analysts as primarily an NFL nose guard due to his size and usage at Ohio State. However, nose guard is rarely employed in DeMeco Ryans’ defense. A mismatch between player and scheme is not uncommon. It led to the Tennessee Titans trading 2024 second-round pick T’Vondre Sweat to the Jets. Hopefully, The Texans will have a clear vision for McDonald to utilize his immense size.

The transition from playing head up in front of the center to playing over the guard is not as simple as one assumes. Playing over the guard – aka the three-technique – requires quickness and lateral agility to sustain leverage over the B gap. At 6’2”, 326 pounds, he is quite definitively larger than any other DT on the roster. The best at the position can make the transition, but it’s up to Ryans and staff to lay the groundwork for that move to work out.

What positions will the two rookie offensive lineman play?

Both Febechi Nwaiwu and first-round pick Keylan Rutledge are herald for their versatility on the interior of the offensive line. It’s why the coaching staff valued them higher than any other team. However, it’s a tall order to teach not one, but two rookies multiple positions this early in their careers.

They both played primarily right guard in college, but that position is expected to be locked down by veteran Ed Ingram who received a top of the market deal in free agency to return to Houston.

The ‘open’ role on the o-line is center. Nwaiwu started two games in college and Rutledge has only practiced the position. Even with the lack of experience, will both rookies use the minicamp to practice center to compete for the starting role? Do they divvy up the reps to try out each combination? How this competition plays out will be extremely indicative of how offensive coordinator Nick Caley envisions the offensive line.

How steep is the learning curve for Marlin Klein?

All eyes will be on the unanimously criticized selection of tight end Marlin Klein. Considered a Day Three prospect, the fourth-year TE out of Michigan went 59th overall. GM Nick Caserio also let it slip that the Texans had multiple failed opportunities to trade back, indicating even they didn’t believe in his value at that selection. Regardless, he’s a second rounder who has to compete right away for a roster spot in a crowded room. Getting this rookie to speed is imperative to get the media and fans off his back early.

From Caserio on Texans All Access:

Reality is we were at 59, there were a few trade scenarios that were on the table for us to move back, we were close to making a trade to move back. We felt like if we moved back a few spots, still had a shot to possibly get the player. We picked Marlin cause that’s who we tee’d up as the next player.

Will Wade Woodaz be primarily a special teamer or the eventually replacement for Henry To’oTo’

One of the surprise picks in this class was Woodaz, an athletic converted safety who led Clemson’s defense through a tumultuous season. The linebacker room is extremely crowded. Woodaz will compete against multiple veterans quite who are quite familiar with the Texans’ system. Woodaz can’t simply rest on his laurels as a fourth-round rookie to make this roster. He has to prove his long-term worth as a rotational linebacker.

Even before considering his spot on the roster, Woodaz must beat out seventh-round rookie Aiden Fisher, who some analysts had rated higher than Woodaz before the draft. That competition starts tomorrow at rookie minicamp.

Can any of the undrafted rookies break through?

All eyes are on Noah Whittington to challenge the incumbent running backs British Brooks and Jawhar Jordan for a roster spot in this middling running back room. Jordan’s flash in the pan game against the Arizona Cardinals Week 15 won’t be enough to reserve his seat on the 53-man roster.

CB Collin Wright was NFL.com’s second best undrafted corner on the board. The Missouri City native is over 6-foot and has three years of starting experience at Stanford. He will compete in a weak backup cornerback room for a spot on the roster. Namely, him and last year’s UDFA breakout Alijah Huzzie will battle for the last spot in the secondary.

The Texans will have a PUNTER BATTLE on our hands. Jack Stonehouse from Syracuse will kick off the competition tomorrow after being signed this past week. He’ll compete against Kai Kroeger, who the Texans traded for with the Saints on March 10th.