Houston Texans sign DT Kayden McDonald

The Texans' signing of McDonald on a four-year, $12.9M deal earns a C+ Contract Value Index (CVI)—a middling valuation that reflects a depth interior lineman acquisition at a reasonable but unremarkable cost. At $3.2M AAV, this is a low-risk, low-ceiling commitment typical of rotational defensive line depth in free agency, suggesting McDonald projects as a solid backup or situational pass-rusher rather than a franchise cornerstone. The contract's structure—four years on a modest total—indicates Houston is betting on incremental development and special-teams contribution rather than immediate impact production, which aligns with the team's current positioning as an AFC South playoff contender looking to bolster the trenches without heavy salary commitment. From a cap perspective, this deal is financially conservative and leaves meaningful flexibility for future moves, though the duration suggests the front office sees some multi-year upside rather than treating this as a one-year prove-it scenario. The CVI grade lands exactly where it should: Houston is not overpaying for a known commodity, but neither is it acquiring an obvious bargain, making this a textbook middle-of-the-road defensive line signing in the current market.