The Houston Texans selected Georgia Tech offensive guard Keylan Rutledge with the 26th overall pick in the NFL draft on Thursday night after trading up from No. 28 with the Buffalo Bills.
General manager Nick Caserio said the organization moved up to select Rutledge because of strong internal evaluations of the player.
“He’s a player I think the whole building collectively felt strongly about,” Caserio said.
Rutledge started all 13 games at right guard last season and did not allow a sack, according to Pro Football Focus. He allowed six pressures across 872 snaps. He earned third-team All-America honors from The Associated Press and was named first-team All-ACC by the league and the AP.
Caserio described Rutledge’s playing style as physical and aggressive.
“The things that stand out about him — toughness, violence, physicality, playing style, his intelligence,” Caserio said. “Basically the guy wants to step on your throat on every play.”
Rutledge played on an offensive line that helped Georgia Tech rank in the top 25 nationally in rushing offense and in the top five for fewest sacks allowed.
He said he is prepared to compete for a starting role and is comfortable playing both guard positions and center.
“I’m a competitor,” Rutledge said. “I’m going to come in and compete. That’s what got me here.”
Rutledge began his college career at Middle Tennessee before transferring to Georgia Tech. His career was disrupted by a foot injury sustained in a car accident in December 2023 that led to complications and kept him out of offseason workouts and spring practice.
“When it happened, it could have been a lot worse,” Rutledge said. “It was a process … (but) I battled back and found a way to get back out there.”
Caserio said Rutledge’s background reflects his resilience.
“He’s a really great kid,” Caserio said. “He cares a lot about football, and he’s overcome some things.”
The Texans traded their original pick at No. 28, along with picks No. 69 and 167, to the Bills in exchange for the No. 26 pick and No. 91 selection.