Texans fortify the trenches, taking Rutledge in Round 1 and McDonald in second round of NFL draft

HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Texans addressed their biggest needs in this year’s NFL draft by shoring up their interior offensive and defensive lines with their top picks.

The Texans traded up two spots to take guard Keylan Rutledge with the 26th overall pick in the draft. It marked the first time they’d taken a player in the first round since selecting quarterback C.J. Stroud and defensive end Will Anderson Jr. second and third overall in 2023.

Rutledge will compete immediately for a spot on a line that has struggled in the interior. They have veterans Wyatt Teller and Ed Ingram at the guard positions, but Rutledge could provide a more long-term solution. General manager Nick Caserio believes his physical style of play will help improve the team’s running game after their offseason trade for running back David Montgomery.

While the Texans are set at defensive end with stars Anderson and Danielle Hunter, they addressed their need at defensive tackle by trading up to take Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald with the fourth pick in the second round. Caserio felt fortunate to get McDonald, who he was a consensus All-American, in the second round.

He was the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year after he had 65 tackles, including nine for losses and three sacks last season.

“We felt McDonald was probably the best run defender in the draft,” Caserio said. “Had a really productive season. Defensive tackle that was involved in ... 60-plus tackles, it’s pretty impressive.”

The 6-foot-2, 326-pound McDonald said falling down the draft board will motivate him to prove people wrong.

“Everybody that went before me, that fuels me,” he said. “There’s not one player better than me in this class. I’m going to show it. I’m coming in to work.”

Coach DeMeco Ryans is thrilled to have added McDonald to a defense that was among the best in the NFL last season.

“McDonald is the guy we all — scouts, coaches, everybody, the collective group, everybody liked the talent,” Ryans said. “A young player, but he’s grown. He shows the strength in the run game. He shows the ability to get off blocks and finish.”

The Texans added another player that could help on the offensive line with fourth-round pick Febechi Nwaiwu. The Oklahoma standout was a second-team All-SEC selection by the league’s coaches after starting 11 games at right guard and two at center for the Sooners last season.

The Texans added a big target for Stroud by picking Michigan tight end Marlin Klein with the 27th pick in the second round. The 6-foot-6, 248-pound Klein grew up in Germany and played his first two high school seasons there before moving to the United States to finish high school in Georgia.

Klein is known as a strong blocker but also had 24 catches for 248 yards and a touchdown for the Wolverines last season.

“Marlin was kind of a no-brainer,” Caserio said. “It’s a player we really liked.”

Caserio joked that the addition of Klein could get the Texans an international game in Germany in an upcoming season.

“Get your passport ready,” he said.

Caserio became annoyed this weekend when asked about reports that the Texans could be interested in trading star receiver Nico Collins.

“Teams call teams all the time and ask about players,” he said. “We’re not trading Nico Collins. Whoever reported it or whatever information that they had, they can take it and shove it. We’re not trading Nico.”

Houston added Clemson linebacker Wade Woodaz in the fourth round and USC safety Kamari Ramsey with the first pick in the fifth round. They wrapped up their draft by getting Boston College receiver Lewis Bond in the sixth round and took Indiana linebacker Aiden Fisher in the final round.

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Ohio State defensive lineman Kayden McDonald reacts after being chosen by the Houston Texans with the 36th overall pick during the second round of the NFL football draft, Friday, April 24, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Ohio State defensive lineman Kayden McDonald, right, poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the Houston Texans with the 36th overall pick during the second round of the NFL football draft, Friday, April 24, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

CHICAGO (AP) — A police officer died and another was critically injured after a man in police custody and receiving treatment at a Chicago hospital opened fire on them Saturday, according to officials.

"Officers transported an individual over to the Swedish hospital for an observation, at which time two of our officers were shot," Chicago police Superintendent Larry Snelling said at a news conference in the afternoon. "One was shot critically. It (the death) was pronounced. The second officer right now is fighting for his life in the hospital behind us.”

The officer remained in critical condition Saturday evening, authorities said in a statement.

The suspect, who was not publicly identified, fled the Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital after the shooting at around 10:50 a.m. He was later detained and a gun was recovered, police said.

The hospital said its campus was placed on lockdown, and patients and staff at the health facility were safe.

“Today is a real difficult moment for our city. It’s a tragedy,” Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said at the news conference. The city is providing mental health support services to police officers so they can do their jobs, he said.

Snelling said there is an ongoing investigation, and he could not provide details. But the hospital said in a Facebook posting that an individual in custody of law enforcement was brought to the emergency department for treatment and was “wanded upon arrival,” following the protocols. He was escorted by law enforcement at all times, the hospital said.

It said that the man later fired shots at the law enforcement officers and exited the hospital building. He was later apprehended.

“Those officers were there as transport officers,” Snelling said, referring to the police officer who died and the one who was injured. A weapon was recovered, he said.

He noted that the names of the officers were not released because they want to be sure that their families have been notified. One of them was a 38-year-old officer who had been working for 10 years in the department. The other is a 57-year-old officer with 21 years of service, Snelling said.

Police officers work the scene outside Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital in Lincoln Square, on Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Anthony Vazquez/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

Police work the scene outside Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital in Lincoln Square, Saturday, April 25, 2026 in Chicago. (Anthony Vazquez/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

Police officers work the scene outside Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital in Lincoln Square, on Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Anthony Vazquez/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

Police officers work the scene outside Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital in Lincoln Square, on Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Anthony Vazquez/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)