Charlie Campbell
Texans Rookie Forecast 2026
Solid Starter
Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech – Round 1 
The consensus view had Rutledge as a day-two pick and mid to late second-rounder, but there were some teams that had Rutledge graded as a mid-rounder. They felt that Rutledge could have issues in pass protection and handling the speed of interior pro linemen. Thus, it was surprising to some when Rutledge went off the board to the Texans at the 26th pick. While Rutledge may not have all-world ability, he looks like a safe pick to develop into a solid starter.
In pass protection, Rutledge is a generally reliable presence. He uses his strength to sustain blocks with a quick hand strike to engage defenders. Rutledge has the bulk and power, but is inconsistent with his anchor when he has a quick bull rush hit him. With limited feet and athleticism, Rutledge also could have some issues with interior speed rushers. Rutledge could improve and be a steady protector with pro coaching.
In the ground game, Rutledge is an old-school guard who is a fighter and bully at the point of attack. He fights and is very physical, blocking through the whistle while inflicting punishment on defenders. Rutledge has the strength to knock defenders back and can get a push at the point of attack. He is adept at executing double teams and blasting holes with some bump blocks. Rutledge does lumber some in space, so he is not as great a fit for a zone blocking scheme.
The Texans have needed to improve their offensive line for C.J. Stroud and have devoted some early-round picks over the past two drafts to helping their blocking front. Houston has veteran interior linemen in Wyatt Teller, Ed Ingram, Evan Brown, and Jake Andrews capable of starting right away, but before long, I think Rutledge will be starting at guard or center for the Texans and quickly become a solid starter.
2025: Jayden Higgins, WR
2024: Calen Bullock, S
2023: Will Anderson, OLB
2022: Kenyon Green, G
2021: Brevin Jordan, TE
2020: Ross Blacklock, DT
2019: Max Scharping, OT
2018: Martinas Rankin, OT
2017: Zach Cunningham, LB
2016: Nick Martin, C
2015: Bernardrick McKinney, LB
2014: Louis Nix, DT
2013: DeAndre Hopkins, WR
Most Likely To Bust
NONEThe Texans made three picks on the first two days of the draft with Rutledge and a pair of second-rounders. I don’t think any of them will be a bust. I think Rutledge and McDonald are safe picks to be quality starters, while second-round tight end Marlin Klein will at least be a solid No. 2 tight end in the NFL.
2025: Jaylin Noel, WR
2024: Blake Fisher, OT
2023: Nathaniel Dell, WR
2022: Jalen Pitre, S
2021: Davis Mills, QB
2020: Charlie Heck, OT
2019: Lonnie Johnson, CB
2018: Keke Coutee, WR
2017: Julie’n Davenport, OT
2016: Braxton Miller, WR
2015: Jaelen Strong, WR
2014: Xavier Su’a-Filo, G
2013: Sam Montgomery, DE
Potential Boom Pick
Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State – Round 2
The Texans have needed some young talent for the interior of their defensive line over the past few years, and I think they landed a potential steal in McDonald. He was a disruptive force for the Buckeyes in 2025, totaling 65 tackles with three sacks, two forced fumbles, and a pass batted. With Houston, McDonald could pay instant dividends to help them defend potent rushing attacks, and he can eat up blockers to help free up their edge rushers.
As a pass rusher, McDonald has a nice skill set to attack offensive linemen. He has a strong build with active hands and the power to shed blocks at the point of attack. McDonald has power in his bull rush to knock blockers back and can get penetration into the pocket. To go along with power, McDonald has a burst to close and impressive speed for a big interior lineman. McDonald has the upside and the ability to be a quality interior pass rusher in the NFL.
In the ground game, McDonald is strong and stout at the point of attack. He holds his gap well with the power in his base to stonewall downhill runs coming straight at him. McDonald is also disruptive to blowing runs up in the backfield by getting penetration through his strength or using his quickness to fire his gap and get into the backfield. McDonald gets in trouble when he plays too high, so maintaining his pad level and leverage will be important for holding his ground against NFL offensive linemen.
With his size and power, McDonald has boom pick for Houston. McDonald could take the Texans back to having a big, physical, disruptive nose tackle as they had with D.J. Reader.
2025: Aireontae Ersery, OT
2024: Kamari Lassiter, CB
2023: C.J. Stroud, QB
2022: Derek Stingley, CB
2021: None
2020: Jon Greenard, DE
2019: Tytus Howard, OT
2018: Justin Reid, S
2017: Deshaun Watson, QB
2016: Will Fuller, WR
2015: Kevin Johnson, CB
2014: Jadeveon Clowney, DE
2013: D.J. Swearinger, S
Future Depth Player
Kamari Ramsey, S, USC – Round 5 
I think Ramsey was an absolute steal in the fifth round. Ramsey’s 2024 tape was excellent as he showed instincts, ball skills, an ability to cover a lot of ground in coverage, and physicality. Houston has veteran starting safeties in Calen Bullock and Reed Blankenship, but they could use some depth behind those veterans. Ramsey could be a perfect third safety to help in deep coverage and also be a core special teams player. He is fast, physical, and instinctive, those are core attributes needed to be a good player on special teams, and Ramsey has them. I think Ramsey will at least be a good backup for the Texans, and he might turn into a good starter if he gets the opportunity.
2025: Woody Marks, RB
2024: Cade Stover, TE
2023: Henry To’oTo’o, LB
2022: Dameon Pierce, RB
2021: Nico Collins, WR
2020: Isaiah Coulter, WR
2019: Kahale Warring, TE
2018: Jordan Aikens, TE
2017: Carlos Watkins, DT
2016: Tyler Ervin, RB
2015: Reshard Cliet, LB
2014: Andre Hal, S
2013: David Quessenberry, OL
Walt
