Kayden McDonald Is A Tackling Machine
April 11th, 2026
Ohio State DT Kayden McDonald
In two weeks, a bleary-eyed Joe will stagger into the media workroom at One Buc Palace before Day 3 of the draft and chug copious amounts of caffeine to stay awake in order to finish the draft.
Joe loves the draft. And yes, that includes all of it, every last player taken.
Unlike Chucky, Joe doesn’t tap out on the final day of the draft. (If Joe is able to get to bed by 2 a.m. after Day 2 of the draft, that will be a success.)
By the hour, Joe is more and more interested (excited?) that the Bucs may draft a defensive lineman in the first round.
While you can argue there isn’t a defensive lineman worthy of a No. 15 pick, this may be why Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht has put out the Bat Signal for his NFL fraternity of general managers that he’s looking to trade down.
Picking a defensive lineman in the 20s makes more sense. And hey, if Licht and the Bucs can pick up an established player or an extra draft pick, all the better.
There really isn’t one absolute stud to choose. The only defensive tackle guy projected as a first-round pick is Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald.
In appearing on the “Ross Tucker Football Podcast,” one of the best series of football-centric podcasts you will find, NFL Films analyst Greg Cosell noted McDonald isn’t much for a pass rush, but boy, is he a beast against the run.
“McDonald is a pure, great run defender,” Cosell said. “What is unique about him is, watching his tape, not only did he win with physicality, but he made tackles.
“You rarely see a defensive tackle make as many tackles in the run game as Kayden McDonald.”
And we all know how much Bucs coach Todd Bowles covets stopping the run.
What does Joe whine about with the Bucs defense the past couple of years? Tackling. Well, this McDonald tackles. And he’s a total ass-kicker in the trenches.
Do you think Houston regrets not bulking up on the defensive line? Or Philadelphia? Why can’t the Bucs do that? They could if they draft McDonald.
Joe’s not demanding or calling for Licht to draft McDonald. But the thought of adding McDonald with Vita Vea and ornery A’Shawn Robinson brings a smile to Joe’s face.
And if you project this a year out, if Calijah Kancey is hurt (again), how do we know the Bucs will bring him back? Vea, 31, is in a contract year. How do we know he returns? Drafting McDonald covers the Bucs if either Kancey or Vea, or both, are not on the roster.
April 11th, 2026 at 11:09 am
Can’t go wrong with DT. Just not sure he would make as much of an immediate impact to the def like a guy like Rodriguez. We did sign an intriguing monster D lineman international development player that was on Hou last season.
April 11th, 2026 at 11:21 am
Rodriguez at 15, his teammate DT Hunter in the second.
April 11th, 2026 at 11:29 am
Preach, Brother Joe!
April 11th, 2026 at 11:42 am
What are the Bucs gonna do with 6’6 340 lbs NT Jayson Jones
He has a lot of potential, he just need to be coached up, and see the field
Last season, he was injured as a UDFA
And they recently signed a 6’6 310 lbs free agent DT
Both of these are young big guys
Marcus West will have time to develop them this off-season
April 11th, 2026 at 11:42 am
The Bucs could potentially trade back as far as 24 and take McDonald and gain a third round pick from Cleveland. McDonald is unlikely to make it pass the Bears, Bills and Texans at 25, 26, and 28.
At 14th in the second round, the Bucs should be able to choose between ILB Jacob Rodriquez and ILB Anthony Hill, Jr. Both are very good and will be better playing behind McDonald. Hill brings more athleticism and I shade towards him, but I am really impressed by Rodriguez’s football genius.
The third and later rounds could be IOL, TE, CB, WR or OLB with potentially two third round picks.
That should fix the defense, and top off the offense whose problems last year were more injuries and play calling than personnel.
April 11th, 2026 at 11:44 am
If Licht can work a trade back, he just might be able to draft both McDonald and Rodriguez. Both are projected as late 1st round picks.
April 11th, 2026 at 11:50 am
I wouldn’t be surprised if McDonald is gone by 15. The Florida kid seems like a monster, in the second.
April 11th, 2026 at 11:53 am
Unfortunately, Dallas will likely take Rodriguez with their second first round pick. Unless they take Styles with their first.
April 11th, 2026 at 12:04 pm
Out of all the DT’s Mcdonald and Lee hunter are my faves as firsts. Ive done many mocks and seen them going near the end of the 1st…Lee sometimes top of 2nd. Ive traded down 3 times a few times and still managed to grab one of them…. but of course mock simulators and the real draft are two completely different things.
But they allow me to see so many great players in the 2nd to 5th rd range. It would be a shame if we cant trade down (out of the first) at least once. Trades can also happen in the other rounds.
April 11th, 2026 at 12:07 pm
I’m 100% in on McDonald. I’m 110% in on ARod. If we miss on ARod, and had the chance to get him, I still think we oughta bullwhip any and all staff charged with making that decision. The chance we could get both is mind boggling. The most decorated college football player in history? Absolutely! The highest ranked DT in this draft? Absolutely! Give away our 3rd and 4th pick to make that happen? Absolutely! If we had those 2 rookies starting, by midseason this year Todd Bowles will look like a defensive genius and our Buccaneers would be steady kicking A$$!! Go Bucs!!
April 11th, 2026 at 12:08 pm
We kinda need a lower first round pick but a higher second round pick.
Trade the browns our 15th overall and our second round for their 24th overall and 7th in the second and 7th in the fourth round?
Draft capital wise, it’s pretty close.
April 11th, 2026 at 12:08 pm
The most decorated “defensive” college football player in history.
April 11th, 2026 at 12:13 pm
Bowles loves stopping the run yippee can’t stop the pass in a passing league, no clue the passed him by years ago
April 11th, 2026 at 12:15 pm
This pick is growing on me. His film is solid. He’s as close to a sure thing as you can get. Beefing up the trenches is how you win in January.
April 11th, 2026 at 12:32 pm
His tackling prowess will vanish once coich gets him through the Rookie Regression program.
April 11th, 2026 at 12:36 pm
In complete agreement with Kenton Smith!!!!!
April 11th, 2026 at 12:54 pm
Caleb Banks, Gators DT, in 2nd round….
Only reason he won’t be a 1st rounder was the results of the foot injury…
There is also the kid Jackson, DT from Florida State that is also a monster…
He may be available in 3rd round….
Should be an interesting draft…
If you can’t get Sonny Styles then I’m totally cool for a trade down then taking BPA on DEFENSE at positions of edge, corner, or DT
Grab your ILB in 2nd round (Hill or Rodriguez is a must!!)
Use rest of the pics to get the BPA for corner, DT, & TE
Grab a guard from one of the teams after the draft has taken place…
April 11th, 2026 at 1:19 pm
I kind of view the draft a lit6le weird I guess. If my guy, let’s just say McDonald is available and I’m on the clock, I’m taking him.
I don’t care about value or where a player “should” be picked.
If the player I want is valued at 24/25 and I have pick 15 (again, just for example) I’m turning that pick in and getting my guy.
Probably cutting my nose off to spite my face and I would absolutely fail as a GM in the NFL but that’s where my head is.
April 11th, 2026 at 1:46 pm
He Lakeland – totally forgot about Jones. How great would it be if he actually became the next Gholston.
April 11th, 2026 at 1:54 pm
How is he in coverage?
April 11th, 2026 at 2:08 pm
Production (Career Totals)
Kayden McDonald
* Tackles: 85
* TFL: 11.0
* Sacks: 3.0
* FF: 2
* PBU: 3
Lee Hunter
* Tackles: 172 <–
* TFL: 32 <–
* Sacks: 7.5
* FF: 1
* PBU: 1
Note: Hunter edge (volume + consistency)
April 11th, 2026 at 2:08 pm
Finally some JBFers are beating the ‘Kayden McDonald in Rnd 1’ drum. LOTS of reasons to draft him in Rnd 1, but one that no one’s bothered to mention is that he played in 34 games at Ohio State over 3 seasons and never missed a game. THAT’S durability, and that’s what we should be looking for in all of our players.
April 11th, 2026 at 3:19 pm
Defense Rules
What about the Bucs drafting Lee Hunter?
April 11th, 2026 at 3:21 pm
Jacob Rodriquez will be gone before the Bucs pick in the second round. If Dallas or some other team doesn’t take him before them, the Ravens surely will, one pick ahead of the Bucs.
April 11th, 2026 at 3:24 pm
Defensive Rules
I don’t see the Bucs standing pat at 15 unless Mansoor Delane falls in their lap.
Too many real holes on this defense. The smart play is trading back into the late 20s, stacking another premium pick, and attacking multiple needs.
From there—whoever’s on the board:
*Cashius Howell (EDGE)
*Kayden McDonald (DL)
*Zion Young (EDGE)
*Lee Hunter (DL)
*Malachi Lawrence (EDGE)
*Anthony Hill Jr. (ILB)
April 11th, 2026 at 3:25 pm
test
April 11th, 2026 at 3:25 pm
FrontFour,
I believe Jayson Jones can be a rotational DT
He just need to be coached up
April 11th, 2026 at 3:26 pm
KABucs said – “Trade the browns our 15th overall and our second round for their 24th overall and 7th in the second and 7th in the fourth round?
Draft capital wise, it’s pretty close.”
That’s the only way that the Bucs get Rodriguez in the 2nd. I like it (not sure if the Browns do). Heck, I’d take it even without the 4th rounder (maybe a 4th round swap).
April 11th, 2026 at 3:28 pm
Worth noting: The Bucs scouting department has met with Lee Hunter twice — once at the Senior Bowl and again at the Combine.
That’s not casual interest
April 11th, 2026 at 3:29 pm
Test #2
April 11th, 2026 at 3:38 pm
If they’re willing to take a couple picks in 2027, I’d LUV for us to go get Zach Sieler out of the Miami Dolphins. Roll him in with A’Shawn Robinson and Vita Vea — that’s a grown man front right there.
April 11th, 2026 at 3:46 pm
Yeah l like Lee Hunter
April 11th, 2026 at 4:18 pm
Kayden McDonald holds the point of attack against double teams better than Hodor holding the door. – Connor Rogers
April 11th, 2026 at 4:24 pm
A great outcome for us would be Pittsburgh trading up to our 15 from their 21
April 11th, 2026 at 4:49 pm
Sign me up for any of the big men, pretty much. Don’t want Kyle Pitts *cough* I mean Kenyon Sadiq.
April 11th, 2026 at 5:14 pm
Brian Bosworth was,then he got wrecked in the NFL and Bo!
April 11th, 2026 at 9:02 pm
Kayden McDonald vs. Lee Hunter — * Quick Hits
* McDonald (21)
* Hunter (~23.5)
* Note: McDonald edge (development runway)
* McDonald (6’2”, 326)
* Hunter (6’3½”, 318)
* Note: Even (both NFL builds)
* McDonald → 1-tech / Nose (2-gap, eats doubles)
* Hunter → 3-tech / Penetrator (gap shooter)
* Note: Different responsibilities (stats not 1:1)
* McDonald → 37 games
* Hunter → ~52 games
* Note: Hunter edge (experience + reps)
April 11th, 2026 at 9:51 pm
Why not just take Rodriguez at 15 and draft Lee Hunter in the 2nd? Sounds reasonable to me, and likely to get both.
April 11th, 2026 at 11:30 pm
I’m finding lots of good edge and d line in this draft the more I look
April 12th, 2026 at 12:43 am
Sure, draft some Rodriguez. Any guy named Rodriguez. The result will be the same whether it’s some college future bust or the neighborhood plumber named Rodriguez. That was our guy, he was awesome at plumbing. Football, not so much.
April 12th, 2026 at 10:33 pm
Careful: Bucs (and all NFL teams) meet with everyone at the combine. May not be sitdowns. It may not be Licht. It may only be for five minutes. But Bucs folks talk to (“meet”) all of them.