Texans shore up OL, trade up for Georgia Tech star Keylan Rutledge
Big Red? Big Problem for opposing defensive linemen comes into NRG Stadium for the Texans for 2026.
Big Red? Big Problem for opposing defensive linemen coming to Reliant Stadium in 2026. The Houston Texans didn't wait for Georgia Tech offensive lineman Keylan Rutledge to fall into their lap at pick No.
28. They knew he was destined to be a part of the long-term plan, which is why they traded up two spots to get him. “This guy is all ball,” Texans general manager Nick Caserio said.
“Doesn’t care about anything else. He wants to punch you in the mouth and that works here. ” Initially, fans thought that Houston planned to move on out of Round 1 with the Arizona Cardinals to make the pick for Ty Simpson, but that plan fell apart after Los Angeles shocked the NFL world with the pick of the Alabama starter at No.
13. Once the run on offensive linemen began, Houston knew it needed to settle on its top pick. The name: Rutledge, a mauler in the trenches who excelled in run blocking during his lone season in Atlanta.