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Kayden McDonald has big plans for the upcoming season. The Houston Texans rookie defensive tackle is not putting any limitations on what he wants to accomplish in his first year with the team.
Among those goals, McDonald wants to become a focal point in what is already the league's top defense. And while it will come with competition, one NFL analyst writes that the former college All-American player may do just that in his first year in Houston.
Newsweek's Michael Gallagher broke down the rookie defensive tackle's high potential for a first year in 2026. Gallagher writes that his outlook could be defined by two words. "Superstar potential."
Here's more of what Gallagher had to say about the Texans rookie.
"As solid as (Tommy) Togiai and (Sheldon) Rankins were in 2025, neither one of them scream 'difference-maker' like some of the top DTs in the league like Tennessee’s Jeffery Simmons, Cincinnati’s Dexter Lawrence, or Kansas City’s Chris Jones. But Houston possibly found that kind of player in Kayden McDonald, a second-rounder who many scouts were surprised didn’t get selected in Round 1 of the 2026 draft.
A unanimous All-American, All-Big Ten selection, and the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year, McDonald has that superstar potential. He totaled nine tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery last season.
McDonald excels in run defense. He had the second-most run stops at Ohio State last year (30), behind only No. 7 overall pick Sonny Styles. He’s also great at using leverage to his advantage and he has excellent knock-back power coming off his initial burst. His potential is sky-high, and it’s plausible McDonald breaks camp as one of Houston’s starting defensive tackles."
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Kayden McDonald during the NFL Draft prospects clinic at Hazelwood Green Park. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Rankins and Togiai may not have stood out to some, but that does not make them any less effective. The two defensive tackles are reliable anchors in a defense that neither bends nor breaks. Still, Gallagher contends McDonald may unleash a whole different level of interior defensive line play. If he does, it changes the game for the Houston defense.
McDonald may have fell to the second round of the NFL draft, but he is placing first round expectations on himself. Those expectations may not be as crazy as some might make them to be.
The Texans got a great college player in McDonald. The former Ohio State defender will look to prove to be a great NFL player when his career kicks off in Week 1.
Continue reading...
Among those goals, McDonald wants to become a focal point in what is already the league's top defense. And while it will come with competition, one NFL analyst writes that the former college All-American player may do just that in his first year in Houston.
Newsweek's Michael Gallagher broke down the rookie defensive tackle's high potential for a first year in 2026. Gallagher writes that his outlook could be defined by two words. "Superstar potential."
Here's more of what Gallagher had to say about the Texans rookie.
"As solid as (Tommy) Togiai and (Sheldon) Rankins were in 2025, neither one of them scream 'difference-maker' like some of the top DTs in the league like Tennessee’s Jeffery Simmons, Cincinnati’s Dexter Lawrence, or Kansas City’s Chris Jones. But Houston possibly found that kind of player in Kayden McDonald, a second-rounder who many scouts were surprised didn’t get selected in Round 1 of the 2026 draft.
A unanimous All-American, All-Big Ten selection, and the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year, McDonald has that superstar potential. He totaled nine tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery last season.
McDonald excels in run defense. He had the second-most run stops at Ohio State last year (30), behind only No. 7 overall pick Sonny Styles. He’s also great at using leverage to his advantage and he has excellent knock-back power coming off his initial burst. His potential is sky-high, and it’s plausible McDonald breaks camp as one of Houston’s starting defensive tackles."
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Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Kayden McDonald during the NFL Draft prospects clinic at Hazelwood Green Park. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Rankins and Togiai may not have stood out to some, but that does not make them any less effective. The two defensive tackles are reliable anchors in a defense that neither bends nor breaks. Still, Gallagher contends McDonald may unleash a whole different level of interior defensive line play. If he does, it changes the game for the Houston defense.
McDonald may have fell to the second round of the NFL draft, but he is placing first round expectations on himself. Those expectations may not be as crazy as some might make them to be.
The Texans got a great college player in McDonald. The former Ohio State defender will look to prove to be a great NFL player when his career kicks off in Week 1.
Continue reading...
