TribLive is highlighting the top prospects leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh. The three-day event is April 23-25.
Kayden McDonald
Position: Defensive tackle
Height/weight: 6-foot-2 1/8/326 pounds
College: Ohio State
McDonald will immediately bolster the middle of some NFL team’s run defense.
A true nose tackle, McDonald was fifth on the Buckeyes in tackles last season with 65 along with nine tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. The junior was named a unanimous first-team All-American and received the Big Ten award for the conference’s top defensive lineman in 2025.
McDonald, who had three sacks, is seen as a better run stopper than pass rusher.
Draft analyst Lance Zierlein noted in his NFL.com bio that McDonald is “quick to locate ball-carriers, play off of blocks and rally to the action.” Zierlein said he “managed an unusually high tackle rate as an interior defender” despite slightly underdeveloped technique.
McDonald is described as “quick” rather than “fast.” He didn’t run the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine or Ohio State pro day. He might lack range but plays with effort.
A one-year starter, McDonald played 16 games as a reserve when Ohio State won a national championship in 2024. He had 19 tackles.
Key stat
91.2 — The Pro Football Focus rating in “run defense” earned by McDonald, who ranked first nationally among FBS defensive lineman last season.
Did you know?
Ohio State used McDonald at fullback for a few snaps over his career. That wasn’t new for him because he scored 11 rushing touchdowns on 77 carries as a high school senior in Georgia.
On draft
Here is a look at where the top NFL Draft analysts rank McDonald among players at his position and prospects overall:
Draft expert — DT/Overall
Mel Kiper Jr. — second/21st
Daniel Jeremiah — first/33rd
Todd McShay — first/26th
Field Yates — first/33rd
Quotable
“On early downs, I can stop the run. On third downs, I can push the pocket. I’m a complete player.”
— McDonald at the NFL Combine