Kayden McDonald overcomes draft-night wait after Texans select him in Round 2

The Houston Texans traded up to No. 36 in the 2026 NFL Draft and selected Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald.

The pick came after McDonald had waited through the first round, and his reaction quickly became one of the draft-night moments drawing attention on social media and on NFL coverage. Video from the NFL showed McDonald emotional after the selection, and AP coverage described tears following the long wait in the green room.

Houston confirmed the move in an official post, and Ohio State also published a release acknowledging the selection. NBC Sports later reported the Texans’ trade-up and the pick at No. 36.

The selection gives Houston a defensive tackle from a major program and came as part of a move up the board to secure him in the second round. The emotional moment made the choice stand out beyond the transaction itself, but the football outcome was straightforward: the Texans got the player they wanted at the top of Round 2.

One Ohio State release used imprecise wording that referred to the selection as a first-round pick, but the surrounding reporting and the official Texans announcement place McDonald at No. 36 in the second round.