The Texans traded up to the Buffalo Bills’ first-round pick at 26th overall and selected Georgia Tech offensive guard Keylan Rutledge on draft day. Houston sent the Bills the 28th overall, 53rd overall and 168th overall selections and will receive the 91st overall pick in return.
Rutledge, a Middle Tennessee State transfer, is 6-foot-4 and 316 pounds and has long been known for a hard-nosed style that matches the way Houston played this move. He ran the 40-yard dash in 5.05 seconds and recently worked out privately in Georgia for Texans offensive line coach and run game coordinator Cole Popovich.
The investment fits the profile Rutledge built at Georgia Tech. Two seasons ago, he was a first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection at right guard. Last season, he was a third-team All-American and an all-conference selection again, adding to a reputation as one of the toughest players in recent Georgia Tech football history.
That history helps explain why the Texans were willing to give up three picks to get him. Rutledge brings power, strength, technique and a nasty streak to the line, and Houston made the move knowing exactly what kind of blocker it was getting. The bigger question now is how quickly he can turn that profile into a role in the Texans’ offense.
