Kayden McDonald Fits Jason Licht Goal Of Violence
April 16th, 2026
Ohio State DT Kayden McDonald.
One reason Joe likes NFL humorist/columnist Mike Tanier is the guy just grinds, while seemingly every publication Joe Flacco’s former high school math teacher has worked for has shuttered, sans the New York Times.
Joe sees Tanier at the combine each winter and the guy tries to get to know every prospect stepping up to a podium, even though that’s nearly impossible.
While he may not ask many questions, Tanier stands, listens intently and takes notes.
In short, Tanier does his homework.
So Joe was curious what Tanier thought of a guy Joe thinks is in play with the Bucs in the first round, especially if the Bucs trade back. That would be beastly Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald.
Bucs officials are open about seeking violent men to man their defense. Joe’s glad the Bucs are publicly admitting their defense last season was Charmin soft.
So how does a defense get violent? Add maulers in the trenches. And that’s what McDonald is, Tanier typed.
Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
I watched the defensive tackle workouts live in Lucas Oil Stadium with a few trusted media pals during the Combine. When McDonald began his drills, we speculated about why he was even bothering to work out.
McDonald is a 326-pound massive mound of major-program man meat. The Combine DT drills are designed for the 290-pounders who are built like sport SUVs. McDonald, we thought, had little to gain but much to lose by waddling among the pads and cones.
It turned out that McDonald, after an early stumble or two, moves like he’s made out of memory foam. His Kung Fu Panda agility forced us to take a second look at his tape. In my case, it was actually a first look (besides watching the Buckeyes on autumn Saturdays), but the fact that I was far behind on my draft prep in late February doesn’t matter. McDonald moves with remarkable agility for a man his size, or even a man 36 pounds lighter.
McDonald is built like a tank, Tanier noted, but has the agility of someone like Gerald McCoy (Joe doesn’t want to be nuts and say he’s Warren Sapp-like nimble).
McDonald is built like a pure nose tackle, which is where he often lined up, but he plays like a three-tech. He wins with quickness and positioning, as well as size and brute strength. He doesn’t anchor against double-teams as well as he should, and the quarterback must almost bump into him for McDonald to pick up a sack. But McDonald is a real problem when the opponent is zone blocking: he can get between the center and the guard before the handoff.
But here is where it gets interesting for Joe. Tanier compared McDonald with a very interesting player.
McDonald is not a Vita Vea or Jeffery Simmons-level defender: he lacks that elite combination of size, short-area burst and grrrrr. He’s more of an A’Shawn Robinson type who will play in the NFL for years, adding meaningful bulk to lots of defensive lines without garnering much attention.
And who did A’Shawn Robinson just sign with? Your Tampa Bay Buccaneers, that’s who.
Go watch the first few minutes of the Indiana-Ohio State B1G title game from December. McDonald is completely toying with Indiana’s front line and that team won the national title. So it wasn’t like McDonald was throwing around a bunch of stiffs.
Tanier actually likes Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks better than McDonald. But, as Tanier points out, Banks is so, so brittle; he’s likely a Day 2 pick.
Kayden McDonald is a name to know if the Chiefs want to add a run-stuffing defensive tackle in this year's draft.
He led the FBS in run-stop percentage while recording nine TFLs in 2025. pic.twitter.com/FvWFAt6vXC
— Matt McMullen (@KCChiefs_Matt) March 23, 2026
April 16th, 2026 at 9:06 am
I’m in, especially if the Bucs could trade down
April 16th, 2026 at 9:09 am
I’d take him at 15 easy gotta feeling he won’t be there
April 16th, 2026 at 9:21 am
If we can pull off getting McDonald & Rodriguez, I’d be elated!
April 16th, 2026 at 9:26 am
DS…
You dont think MacDonald will be there at 15??
Heck, he might not even go in the first round.
He’s a run stuffing space eater.
He’s no Vita or Jalen Carter..he will be a solid DT in the NFL and I agree with most of what Tanier says about him.
I just dont see a scenario where he’s the BPA unless the Bucs trade into the mid 20s.
Excellent 2nd round pick..just dont see him as a top 20 pick.
April 16th, 2026 at 9:29 am
15 is too rich for McDonald, maybe in a trade back and even then, just maybe.
April 16th, 2026 at 9:32 am
Trade back, pick up an extra 2nd, and plug & play McDonald. Keep bolstering your lines Jason. Hard to go wrong with that approach.
April 16th, 2026 at 9:37 am
Warren Brooks Lynch Says:
April 16th, 2026 at 9:29 am
15 is too rich for McDonald, maybe in a trade back and even then, just maybe.
BINGO!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
April 16th, 2026 at 9:38 am
I’d be all for taking a big sexy for either line at 15, if we can’t trade back. Win the line of scrimmage. Go Bucs!
April 16th, 2026 at 9:38 am
We don’t need more Jabba The Huts, or is it Jabba’s the Hutt?? Anyway, we’re already beefed up in the middle—-enough to not deem it a glaring weakness.
If Licht truly embraced “violence,” he’d violently fire his head coach and violently trade up for a game changing Edge or LB instead of passively trading back and living in his status quo world of .500 records.
Where was the violence in finishing 2—7 while throwing away games like used toilet paper?
Someone needs to tell Licht that mediocrity does not beget violence.
Need more help …
“Kayden McDonald Fits Jason Licht Goal Of Violence?” Dangling a participle ot misplacing a modifier? I’m confused.
April 16th, 2026 at 9:41 am
The key to this draft for the Bucs, is the ability to trade down
If we can’t trade down, we’re stuck in no man land
If we can trade down, we’re in excellent shape
Let’s just hope we can trade down, and get more picks
And walk away with 4 players in the first 3 rounds
April 16th, 2026 at 9:42 am
Can a player like McDonald be a difference-maker in games? Yes yes yes. Our Bucs’ defense was the WORST in the NFL (#32) when it came to allowing TDs once our opponents were in the Red Zone. We didn’t have the BEEF to stop them, and we certainly weren’t nasty enough to stop them.
And THAT’s where a player like McDonald can impact a game. He adds the beef and he adds the nastiness. Far as I’m concerned, he’s well worth it at #15, and has the potential to impact games more than any other position I can think of.
April 16th, 2026 at 9:45 am
So if the Bucs pick him at 15 and he plays like he did at OSU AND gets better you think 15 is too high to pick him? Say he turns out to be the best of the 4 OSU players slated to go early in the 1st round 15 is still too high? EH? I get grading players but it’s also grading to hear Mynah birds chirping what the so called experts keep spewing out. We can always look back at last years draft, or any draft for that matter and say they should have been picked here or there. If the guy or any other player is rated that high on your board you pick him. This is not an exact science here, otherwise how does and guy like Winston picked first overall flame out compared to a 4th round pick like Crosby who everyone wants on their team?
April 16th, 2026 at 9:55 am
If we can add picks and get this guy that is a win-win. Put him where Kancey is and rotate around with Kancey on the outside and you could really have something AND eliminate the need to go get an “edge” guy right off the bat.
April 16th, 2026 at 9:59 am
Jason Licht and Todd Bowles have to consider the fate of our DTs
We know that Kancey is not reliable, and we may not pick up his option
A’Shawn is a one year rental, so is Nacho
And Vita is in a contract year
We really need to draft two defensive linemen
Unless they plan to spend big on Kancey and Vita
April 16th, 2026 at 10:01 am
How is good is he in coverage? Thats what he’ll do on 3rd down so the the safety can blitz. 🙄
April 16th, 2026 at 10:01 am
McDonald is projected to go in the early second round. Wonder if the Bucs are still interested in Mesidor at #15?
April 16th, 2026 at 10:03 am
Word, Lakeland.
April 16th, 2026 at 10:04 am
“So if the Bucs pick him at 15 and he plays like he did at OSU AND gets better you think 15 is too high to pick him?”
Compared to the rest of the talent at more premium positions that will be available and considering what we have on-hand as of today?
Yes, for a run stuffing interior DLmen that doesn’t provide much as a interior pass rusher, 15s a bit rich. Also think we’re going to be allowing Kancey to earn his keep this season, and A’Shawn Robinson is literally the style of player McDonald is w/o the rookie curve. Also, Nacho just got brought back and AQM played about 37% of his limited snaps as an interior pass rusher.
So yes, a little too rich. DeMonte Capeheart or Landon Robinson would excite me more as prospects we picked up, but that’s just me and that’s fine.
April 16th, 2026 at 10:08 am
Doesn’t he play the same position as Vita?
April 16th, 2026 at 10:14 am
Warren Brooks nailed it.
The Bucs defense is usually stout against the run. Their problem is getting off the field on 3rd down and creating turnovers.
The Bucs have Vita, Robinson, Nacho, Roberts..all can eat space and help stuff the run.
What the Buvs need is an Edge opposite YaYa or a penetrating DT should Kancey go down again.
April 16th, 2026 at 10:16 am
🙂
April 16th, 2026 at 10:17 am
Ahhh Violence…. Darion Conner ,,, I thought it was Jessie Tuggle, but it was Darion Conner
Conner, 6-2 1/2, 255, was “the first df those taken. He was picked by the Atlanta Falcons in the second round and was the 27th pick overall. He’s the man Falcons’ first-year coach Jerry Glanville described as “like a borderline trained killer.”
And his NFL career was Meh (he did have one decent year)… and years later, he had legal issues..
No, the Bucs just need to draft by need and the best player available to fulfill that need!!!!
April 16th, 2026 at 10:24 am
Me personally
I say CJ Allen with our 1st pick, trade down or not
Then Edge Rusher, CB, DT
Resign Vita, pick-up Kancey 5th year option
April 16th, 2026 at 10:27 am
If you’re going to resign Vita Vea
And pick up Kancey 5th year option
There shouldn’t be a desperate need for a DT
We can get a Chris McClellan in the middle rounds
April 16th, 2026 at 10:49 am
Not at 15
April 16th, 2026 at 10:52 am
I see the have looked at bigger DTs like Vita, smaller like Kancey and also some that can play edge and inside like Roberts. Will be interesting to see what they do.
April 16th, 2026 at 10:59 am
Lakeland:
Im not sure about CJ Allen, especially at 15. The guy looks stiff and disappears in games. Id much rather take J Rodriguez at 15 than Allen.
Rodriguez is just a turnover machine, loves the game, and plays all out on every down.