Ohio State Defensive Tackle Kayden McDonald Makes a Difference

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The 2026 NFL Draft is all about finding difference makers, and Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald fits that description.

While it’s always more of a splash move to take a quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, pass rusher, cornerback, or safety, make no mistake, defensive tackle is still very important.

Does the game continue to evolve?

Sure.

But it still comes down to which team controls the line of scrimmage.

And McDonald will help a team do just that.

Why?

McDonald is like a brick wall.

BIG

POWERFUL

STOUT

Is he better against the run or against the pass?

He’s better against the run.

But I do know this ⎯

McDonald has some pass-rush upside, and that’s part of what makes him so intriguing.

Ohio State defensive tackle #98 Kayden McDonald with the sack vs. Washington (2025) pic.twitter.com/TEvxCUfLSF

— FIRST ROUND MOCK (@firstroundmock) April 10, 2026

Pass rushing

What were McDonald’s pass rush stats in 2025?

Per Pro Football Focus (PFF):

• 10 pressures
• 2 sacks

Not too shabby considering McDonald was subbed out on most third-down passing situations.

Stopping the run

This is what McDonald specializes in.

Per PFF:

• 33 solo tackles
• 12 assists

He’s just plain tough to move out of the way. He can really hunker down.

Ohio State defensive tackle #98 Kayden McDonald played his helmet off vs. Wisconsin (2025) pic.twitter.com/96C4kyXeRh

— FIRST ROUND MOCK (@firstroundmock) April 10, 2026

Draws double teams

McDonald attracts A LOT of attention.

He commands and demands A LOT of respect from his opponents.

In my notes ⎯

McDonald drew 54 double-team blocks on passing downs and 15 double-teams on running plays.

Playmaking value

This is where the plot thickens ⎯

McDonald is not just another space-eater with a pretty face.

No…no…no…

He also tends to have a knack for causing turnovers either directly or indirectly. PFF credited him with two forced fumbles. I also noticed that he caused a couple of incompletions and an interception because he was getting into the pocket.

In addition ⎯

McDonald logged nine tackles for a loss.

Showed improvement 📈

Did I like McDonald better on his 2025 film than on his 2024 film?

Yes.

And I wasn’t alone.

PFF:

2024

Defensive grade: 68.9

Run defense: 74.1

Tackling: 57.8

Pass rush: 59.2

2025

Defensive grade: 86.6📈

Run defense: 91.2📈

Tackling: 78.8📈

Pass rush: 63.1📈

The numbers can help to confirm what the game film reveals, and in this case, they do. I had given McDonald’s 2024 film a third-round grade, but yeah, no doubt he looked better this past season.

I like seeing prospects trending in the right direction heading into the draft over two or more seasons of film.

It’s a promising sign.

NFL Projection

Per teamrankings.com, Chicago had the No. 3 rushing attack in the NFL in 2025 (142.3 yards per game).

Who had the No. 1 rushing attack?

Buffalo (156.6 yards per game).

Both were playoff teams this past season.

That’s why picking McDonald would be the perfect response for a team in the NFC North or the AFC East that faces Chicago or Buffalo.

#98 Kayden McDonald 6-foot-2, 326 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Final 2026 NFL Draft Grade: First-Round (I would select him)

Projected by NFL Mock Draft Database to be a First Round prospect as of April 10, 2026

Kayden McDonald was an Inconsistent Run Stuffer on 2024 Film (2024: 16 games evaluated)

2025 game film evaluated: Texas, Grambling, Ohio, Washington, Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin, Penn State, Purdue, UCLA, Rutgers, Michigan, Indiana, and Miami (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report

A prospect who plays like football is important to him. Appears to have a high-cut frame when lined up in his pre-snap stance. Long arms. Dense muscle. Thick thighs. Strong calves. Big Bubble. Tends to be quick off the snap. High effort. Average stamina. Can lock out at the point. Plays at high pad level. Active hands. Inconsistent hand placement at the point. Hands are high and outside too much. Pushes hard. Athletic. Doesn’t give up on a play. High football IQ. Good vision. No frills. Swim move 3x. Spin move 3x. Decent short-area close. Below average pocket adjustments. No secondary pass rush plan. Hard-hitting. Plays inside screens well. Good in short-yardage run situations. Gets penetration. Clogs things up. Makes some dominant run stops overall. Does a really good job of maintaining focus on the backfield as he’s taking on run blocks. Inconsistent shed. Gets fired up.

Final words

Disruptive fighter.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. Featured in USA Today. For more information about him, visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.