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.
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.
🚨#SupFriends REACTION🚨#Texans land potentially top DL in Kayden McDonald at pick No. 36. Yeah, good luck stopping this defense. You’re winning 12-7 and you’re gonna love it. pic.twitter.com/K4ddxuRQnr
....and Kayden McDonald goes the very next pick to the Texans. That D-Line 👀
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 run… pic.twitter.com/oZzXCcrYFQ
Kayden McDonald drawing double teams for Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter? pic.twitter.com/R0j7HirQj6
Texans trade up for Kayden McDonald.Sheesh, that is a big addition to an already talented D-Line.
Kayden McDonald is a truly dominant run defender pic.twitter.com/SXv5eggZHD
Super cool moment: Kayden McDonald was at the #NFLDraft last night, didn’t 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 ✊ #HTownMade pic.twitter.com/2QTy5DsTYO
— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) April 24, 2026
Please don’t let them get Kayden McDonald https://t.co/gCv6XGxMgy
KAYDEN MCCDONALD TO THE TEXANS IS THE BEST PICK IN THE DRAFT!!!!!Good luck scoring against that defense.
47% of Texans users in our draft simulator took Kayden McDonald at pick No. 28. 47%!!!!!!!!!!!
How do you even start game-planning to face this Texans defense now after the Kayden McDonald pick? What weakness is there to attack?
NO WAYY THE LEAGUE LET HOUSTON GET KAYDEN MCDONALD BRO. pic.twitter.com/scrDttnhGi
I don't think people understand, we are about to see a truly generational Texans defense.- Will Anderson Jr- Danielle Hunter - Kayden McDonald- Derek Stingley Jr.- Kamari Lassiter- Jalen Pitre- Calen Bullock- Azzez Al-ShairThey literally do not have a single hole. https://t.co/EvHpdkIlpS
Kayden McDonald in the middle of that Texans defense is going to be nuts