The Houston Texans have drawn rave reviews for their trade and subsequent selection of second-round defensive tackle Kayden McDonald, but it could have a significant impact on a player like Tommy Togiai.
Togiai is coming off his second season with the Texans. He earned strong praise from head coach DeMeco Ryans for his contributions.
However, there is a school of thought that his roster spot could be in jeopardy.
Texans’ Decision Leaves Tommy Togiai on ‘Hot Seat’
GettyTommy Togiai could be on the “hot seat” after the Houston Texans’ offseason moves.
ESPN’s Ben Solak wrote about Togiai being a “spark” for the Texans this past season, but also how McDonald could eat into his reps.
Solak touted Togiai’s value, noting he and Sheldon Rankins would leave Houston “confident” in its starting duo. However, the Texans traded up to select McDonald, whose physical profile at 6-foot-2 and 326 pounds is something the Texans have lacked.
“Togiai was a spark for the Texans’ defense in 2025. He earned his spot in the rotation over Tim Settle and Mario Edwards Jr., and when both were lost for the season (foot and pectoral injuries, respectively), he took on an increased workload with aplomb. Next Gen Stats had Togiai’s 9.7% stop rate — that’s a tackle which ends in negative EPA for the opposing offense — as the highest among all defensive tackles last season,” Solak wrote on May 6.
“Togiai was so good last year that McDonald might end up biting more into Rankins’ snaps than Togiai’s reps. But Togiai spent far more time lined up between the guards than Rankins did, and those snaps figure to go to McDonald, a premier run defender who will strengthen the spine of the Texans’ already ferocious defense. Togiai could in turn take some of Rankins’ snaps at 3-technique, but it isn’t guaranteed that he continues his shocking splash play from last season. Ideally, this is a rotation of three quality players, each with slightly different skill sets.”
Togiai, who turns 27 in September, was a fourth-round pick of the Cleveland Browns in 2021.
He has also spent time with the Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars, though he never played for either franchise.
Texans Revamped D-Line
GettyKayden McDonald adds a run-stuffing presence to the Houston Texans’ defensive line.
Togiai is the same height as McDonald, but he is listed as 30 pounds lighter than his new rookie teammate. McDonald could be limited to run downs early on as he gets his conditioning up. That does not exactly preserve Togiai’s spot in the Texans’ pecking order, though.
The Texans also signed former Tampa Bay Buccaneers second-round pick (2022) Logan Hall in free agency.
Hall is an EDGE defender, but he figures to see the field inside on passing downs.
That will most likely be alongside Rankins rather than any of the Texans’ other options. Togiai and the rest of his teammates would be fighting for the remaining reps on the field. The scenario assumes good health, which is a luxury the Texans did not enjoy last season.
Togiai could be more like a super sup than a starter or trade candidate by the time the season ends. That is, barring the Texans receiving an offer they cannot refuse.
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