Last season, Houston Texans defensive tackle Tommy Togiai was a relative unknown. The former Ohio State standout started his NFL journey on the practice squad, but within six months, he had become a fan favorite and a key piece of the league's top-ranked defense, playing alongside Sheldon Rankins. His highlight-reel scoop-and-score on the final play of the regular season cemented his status as a rising star.

However, the NFL landscape changes fast, and the Texans' offseason moves have put Togiai's role in the spotlight. With the arrival of a new defensive lineman, questions are swirling about whether his playing time will shrink back to a rotational role.

ESPN's Ben Solak recently weighed in, noting that while Togiai should enter training camp as the No. 2 defensive tackle, the addition of a fellow Buckeye—drafted in the second round—could shift him down the depth chart. "Togiai was a spark for the Texans' defense in 2025," Solak wrote. "He earned his spot in the rotation over Tim Settle and Mario Edwards Jr., and when both were lost for the season, he took on an increased workload with aplomb."

Solak highlighted Togiai's impressive stats, including a 9.7% stop rate—the highest among all defensive tackles last season, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. "He was valuable, and I'm confident the Texans felt OK entering next season with Togiai and Sheldon Rankins as their starters," Solak added.

Enter Kayden McDonald, the Ohio State defensive tackle and a top-ranked prospect in Round 2. The Texans made sure to grab him as a foundational piece for DeMeco Ryans' defense, especially as McDonald continues to develop as a pass-rushing specialist. "Togiai was so good last year that McDonald might end up biting more into Rankins' snaps than Togiai's reps," Solak explained. "But Togiai spent far more time lined up between the guards than Rankins did, and those snaps figure to go to McDonald, a premier run defender."

For Texans fans and fantasy football enthusiasts, this is a storyline to watch. Togiai's grit and production have earned him a spot, but the arrival of a talented rookie could reshape the defensive line rotation. Whether he remains a starter or becomes the first man off the bench, Togiai has already proven he can make an impact when given the chance.