2026 NFL Draft: Houston Texans trade up to No. 26 overall, selects Keylan Rutledge

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania - The Houston Texans entered Thursday night holding the No. 28 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, looking to build on a 12-5 season.

Houston addressed a key need on the offensive line, trading up to No. 26 overall in a deal with the Buffalo Bills before selecting Georgia Tech guard Keylan Rutledge.

The Texans enter Day Two with seven total selections, including five acquired via trades.

9:32 p.m: Texans trade with Bills to acquire No. 26 overall pick

Houston completed the move with Buffalo to acquire the No. 26 pick, where it selected Rutledge, one of the top interior linemen in the class.

Rutledge, an offensive guard from Georgia Tech, emerged as a steady and physical presence up front during his college career. He earned All-ACC honors while anchoring one of the nation’s top offensive lines. At 6-foot-4 and more than 310 pounds, Rutledge is known for his power at the point of attack and ability to control defenders in the run game, while also showing the balance and technique needed in pass protection. His experience against top competition made him one of the more pro-ready linemen available.

The Texans turned to Rutledge to bolster protection and add toughness to the interior, a move aimed at strengthening the foundation of their offense.

What we know:

Texans executive vice president and general manager Nick Caserio held four picks in the top 70:

• 1st round: Pick No. 26 (acquired from the Buffalo Bills) selected Keylan Rutledge
• 2nd round: Pick No. 6 (acquired from the Washington Commanders)
• 2nd round: Pick No. 27
• 3rd round: Pick No. 5

The first round of the draft began at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 23.

Texans offseason moves: Protecting C.J. Stroud

Dig deeper:

The Texans made significant moves in free agency, with a clear emphasis on improving the offense around quarterback C.J. Stroud.

Houston added running back David Montgomery and guard Wyatt Teller, a three-time Pro Bowler, along with linemen Evan Brown and Braden Smith. The team also added tight end Foster Moreau and offensive tackle Trent Brown, while trading away offensive lineman Tytus Howard.

On defense, coach DeMeco Ryans’ unit added veteran defensive end Danielle Hunter and safety Reed Blankenship. The Texans also signed former No. 3 overall pick Will Anderson Jr. to a contract extension through the 2030 season.

Talks on moving up

What they're saying:

League reports indicated the Texans had explored moving down earlier in the offseason but became more aggressive in trade-up scenarios as the draft approached, targeting help along the lines.

Since becoming general manager ahead of the 2021 draft, Caserio has executed 25 draft-day trades over five years, including seven in 2025.

When Texans’ rivals picked

Only one AFC South rival made a first-round selection. The Tennessee Titans held the No. 4 overall pick and selected Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate.

The Jaguars did not hold a first-round pick and were set to be selected at No. 56 overall after a 13-4 season and an AFC South title.

The Indianapolis Colts also did not have a first-round selection and were scheduled to pick No. 47 overall in the second round.

Heading into Day 2 of NFL Draft

What's next:

With the offensive line reinforced and multiple picks still ahead, the Texans left the first round positioned to keep building around Stroud, and to push a playoff-caliber roster closer to contention.

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