#2026 #believe #draft

2026 NFL Draft grades: Most experts believe Texans netted a solid class

Yahoo Sports 1 week ago

2026 NFL Draft grades: Most experts believe Texans netted a solid class

As the 2026 NFL Draft has drawn to a close, the Houston Texans have their next crop of talent they believe can help them win a Super Bowl. Over the next few days, Houston will be looking to bring in a slew of undrafted free agents who didn't hear their name called during the draft.

Overall, it was a solid draft haul for the Texans. They ended up with just three picks in the first rounds, but two should be game-changers in interior lineman Keylan Rutledge and defensive tackle Kayden McDonald. In Round 2, the Texans surprised folks in the Greater Houston area by selecting Michigan tight end Marlin Klein.

On Day 3, they also added some high upside rookies in offensive lineman Febechi Nwaiwu, linebacker Wade Woodaz, defensive back Kamari Ramsey, wide receiver Lewis Bond and linebacker Aiden Fisher.

How did the experts grade the draft class? We compiled 10 expert grades for the Texans' class and the majority of them were low on what L.A. did. Of the 12 grades, most passing, grading out with a B- or better. There was, however, one C- grade by a publication who hated every Day 3 pick and considered the Rutledge selection a reach.

USA TODAY: B (20th)

Texans Wire: B

Draft Wire: C+

ESPN: C+

From Mel Kiper Jr.: "Keylan Rutledge is pro-ready with 43 career starts, and he amazingly allowed just two sacks over that entire time. The pick I really liked came shortly after Round 2 began. The big, bad Texans defense got scarier. For all of Rutledge's experience, Kayden McDonald was the opposite. He didn't start until 2025, but you wouldn't know it from the tape. It was a big breakout campaign, with 67 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 17 run stops and three sacks. He's a powerful 326-pounder, but he can move. Sheldon Rankins is occupying the middle, but there's room for McDonald to see meaningful snaps in the Texans' 4-3 defense.

"The rest of the picks were a little confusing, at least in terms of value. I was shocked to hear Marlin Klein's name in Round 2. I didn't have him in the top 150, and he was the ninth-best tight end on my board (I split out halfbacks into a different position list, so he's even lower if you combine them). Klein caught 38 career passes, and he needs to work on his blocking. He's a good developmental prospect, but I didn't understand going this early on him when Oscar Delp, Justin Joly, Eli Raridon and Max Klare were all there (and other needs existed)."