Kayden McDonald — 2026 NFL Mock Draft Roundup 1.0
Leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft, we will track where Ohio State Buckeyes defensive lineman Kayden McDonald appears in the latest NFL mock drafts.
Kayden McDonald NFL Mock Drafts
Here are some of the latest mock drafts in which Kayden McDonald has appeared:
No. 28 overall — Houston Texans
Houston needs help on the offensive line, but the best available prospect in this scenario could be a defensive lineman. McDonald is an ascending talent with the "SWARM" mentality DeMeco Ryans looks for.
No. 33 overall — New York Jets
The Jets traded away Quinnen Williams at the trade deadline, but there was a discussion about improving the run defense before that move. McDonald projects as a starter-level nose tackle or 1-technique with the power to keep the linebackers behind him clean and run lanes stuffed.
No. 14 overall — Baltimore Ravens
McDonald is elite in the run game and plays with heavy hands to consistently win early in the rep. He consistently eats up double teams, making him the perfect early-down anchor for any defense looking to get physical up front. As he continues to improve as a pass rusher, he could end up as one of the best players in this draft class.
No. 18 overall — Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings got great play from Jalen Redmond this past season, but the long-term outlook on their interior still needs a boost. McDonald was one of the best run defenders in the country this past season, regardless of position, earning a 91.2 PFF grade in that category.
The Athletic — Baumgardner/Dochterman
No. 19 overall — Carolina Panthers
A massive interior defender with both one- and two-gap capabilities, McDonald is an elite run stopper who also would help the Panthers' pass rush, which finished tied for 28th in production this season. McDonald isn't necessarily a pass rusher himself, per se, but his presence would allow others to find openings.
No. 25 overall — Chicago Bears
Beefing up the interior will help coordinator Dennis Allen improve a porous run defense that ranked 29th in rushing yards allowed per carry (5.0) in 2025. McDonald's disruptive presence as a supersized defensive tackle could quickly help the Bears solve their biggest defensive problem.
More roundups: NFL Teams | NFL Draft Prospects