[2026 NFL Draft/2-36] Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

zeeshan2 · May 7, 2026

Who’s the prospect we’re overthinking (or underrating)?
A recurring theme in this draft is judging incredible tape from players who are typically not drafted high because of their positional value. For teams to get their hands on the players that could be game changers five years from now, they probably have to draft them higher than they might like.

We covered Love earlier as a player we’re overthinking in this draft, and right after him is Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald. I touched on it in my latest mockdraft, but McDonald is walking into the league with the kind of production we’d hope most interior defenders can attain in their primes. McDonald’s 31 solo tackles in 2025 blow my mind, especially for a near 330-pounder who fights through double-teams on many of his snaps. His nine tackles for loss were just one short of Arvell Reese, and the Buckeyes defense was designed much more to get Reese unabated chances to produce than McDonald. If Eagles defensive tackle Jordan Davis were walking into the league with this kind of production, he might have been a top-five pick.

If you haven’t watched clips of him playing, stop what you’re doing now and enjoy a very large human moving other large humans with ease. His technique is great, his first step is explosive, and he plays with the kind of motor that can translate into consistent pressure in the passing game. This is the kind of disruptive force that can draw an offense’s attention on every snap—or change a game without a single pressure or tackle.
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https://www.theringer.com/2026/04/2...yah-love-arvell-reese-david-bailey-ty-simpson

zeeshan2 · May 8, 2026

zeeshan2 · May 8, 2026

the11mingdynasty · May 9, 2026

raining threes said: ↑

And he's only 21 years old.
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Please don’t be Amobi Okoye, please don’t be Amobi Okoye.

STR8Thugg · May 9, 2026

I can't wait to watch this defense again....

raining threes · May 9, 2026

the11mingdynasty said: ↑

Please don’t be Amobi Okoye, please don’t be Amobi Okoye.
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He's not oKoYe

zeeshan2 · May 9, 2026

zeeshan2 · May 12, 2026

Marshall Bryant · May 12, 2026

I've seen some, not all, criticize this pick because they think Demeco will force McDonald to play 9 technique defense. But just as with Pitre, Demeco adjusts the defense to maximize the player's specific skills. But we already play asymmetric lines where a 0-2 gap is a natural fit. I get the feeling they aren't paying attention to how Demeco and his defensive coaches operate.

zeeshan2 · May 16, 2026

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[2026 NFL Draft/2-36] Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

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