Kayden McDonald Fits Jason Licht’s 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 10:33 am
If the Bucs had some coaching for him or anyone else, great pick.
This is futile.
April 16th, 2026 at 10:39 am
Time to stop stewing on the past, really gets you nowhere. New year new team let’s get some big bois up front
April 16th, 2026 at 10:42 am
“The Bucs have Vita, Robinson, Nacho, Roberts..all can eat space and help stuff the run.”
Can’t forget Elijah Simmons, who’s got a good shot at making this team via the practice squad or even making the active roster depending on IF we make any more additions to the interior DL.
Simmons, for as big as he is ridiculously quick in short space and comes off the ball like a funny car.
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.
April 16th, 2026 at 11:10 am
Who?
I watch a lot of Big10. This guy doesn’t pop off the screen. He’s not Round 1 talent. Round 3, sure.
April 16th, 2026 at 11:18 am
I spoke on this days ago.
I hope for McD and J Rod and then go from there
April 16th, 2026 at 11:30 am
813 you haven’t bashed Baker today are you not feeling well?
April 16th, 2026 at 11:35 am
As far as linemen go, I don’t know if I like this guy better than Loane (offensive lineman) or not. Same argument for/against either one. We already have good players there and we have more pressing needs elsewhere. This reminds me of when my brother and I used to go through the Sears Catalogue at Christmas time and we had our own little draft picking presents from each page. We would take turns who got the first pick from each subsequent page sorta like the draft.
April 16th, 2026 at 11:37 am
Yes, you should forget Elijah Roberts. A team isn’t going to make the playoffs, forget making a Super Bowl run, banking on dudes who have a “good shot” of making the practice squad (!). These guys are stiffs, wannabes, not players to be celebrated.
If Elijah Roberts — he’s easily forgotten if the general manager went out and signed two guys to play his position — is worth anything, he will make the team without worry.
So yes, there is every reason to forget him until he proves with his play that you cannot forget him.
April 16th, 2026 at 11:40 am
Since C J been the Green Dot (MIKE) as a freshman
The Bulldogs are 36-6, despite one of the toughest schedules in NCAA
And this with multiple players leaving early for the draft every year
Football is a sport based on results, not flashy plays
Give me a high motor, physical, high football IQ player
I’m not sold on the potential, or highlights videos
The production against Top Tier competition is what sells me
April 16th, 2026 at 11:47 am
If you’re loafing, taking plays off, missing tackles etc.
You’re not going to start for Kirby Smart
Especially not as his Green Dot LB for 3 consecutive years
There’s no way that will happen
April 16th, 2026 at 11:55 am
Kirby Smart is a 6 time NCAA Football Champion
4 times as Nick Saban Defensive Coordinator at Alabama
And 2 times as Georgia Head Coach
He have developed some of the Best defensive players in the NFL
A lot of them at Alabama, and a lot more at Georgia.
If he says a defensive player is great
You best believe it, cause the man knows defense
April 16th, 2026 at 12:02 pm
“If Elijah Roberts — he’s easily forgotten if the general manager went out and signed two guys to play his position — is worth anything, he will make the team without worry.
“Yes, you should forget Elijah Roberts. A team isn’t going to make the playoffs, forget making a Super Bowl run, banking on dudes who have a “good shot” of making the practice squad (!). These guys are stiffs, wannabes, not players to be celebrated.”
First off, yes you do.
Second, good shot at making the practice squad is acknowlegement of him bieng behind the very guys we added.
Also, your words:
“Undrafted this year out of the University of Tennessee, Simmons played like a wrecking ball of fire against the Eagles. After the game, Todd Bowles told the Buccaneers Radio Network Simmons is the strongest guy he’s seen next to Vita Vea”
A quote you grabbed from Simmons himself:
“Physicality is something I always pride myself in … just be that guy,” Simmons said.”
We’re literally talking about a depth piece, nobody said anything about Simmons being the catalyst to an SB roster, but to heck if he can’t be a younger Steve McClendon.
April 16th, 2026 at 12:07 pm
I’d rather go Big sexy (D or O line) in round 1, the. Take Jacob Rodriguez in round two.
April 16th, 2026 at 12:13 pm
#99 the Big Fella Says:
April 16th, 2026 at 11:30 am
813 you haven’t bashed Baker today are you not feeling well?
feeling great!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
April 16th, 2026 at 12:20 pm
I dont get the E.Roberts bashing lol….
kid played solid as a rookie even though he was playing out of position…
with the addition of Nacho, A. Robinson and a TRUE DT thru the draft, i expect him to play more on the edge along with CK94
GO BUCS!!!!!
April 16th, 2026 at 12:33 pm
I’m all for trading down out of the teens and into the mid-20s to try and snag a guy like this or Ioane. Even an edge or corner but to get that extra mid level pic.
Linebacker will have to be a second or third pick for sure. I’m thinking a second pick if we want Rodriguez but there are other good LBs out there.
April 16th, 2026 at 12:34 pm
This team has so many holes to fill
Everyone won’t t be happy after the draft
But I’m good with whoever they draft
I think we will improve the team regardless of who we draft
I was just throwing something out there
But I’m with Bowles and Licht all the way
April 16th, 2026 at 12:39 pm
But l do think we should draft more players from winning programs
Kirby has them developed and pro ready at Georgia
We draft players from lesser programs, and complain about Bowles can’t develop them
April 16th, 2026 at 12:58 pm
Vita is on the wrong side of 30, and he’s been remarkably injury-free the last few years. We can’t expect that to continue, need a guy like this
April 16th, 2026 at 1:06 pm
I think Kendrick Faulk is still in play. He’s big, and he had 7 sacks 2 seasons ago. He only had 2 last year because he was moved to DT. He can play. And fits Bowles scheme. Maybe they want Faulk late. They have a bunch of DT’s. It’s the DE’s they can’t count on- the ones who should be penetrating and sacking.
April 16th, 2026 at 1:12 pm
Move back in round #1 and select ILB – CJ Allen.
Then move up in round #2 and select IDL – McDonald or Hunter.
Pick BPA – CB, ILB, OG, TE in round #3…
April 16th, 2026 at 1:13 pm
We don’t need Banks. We already have one brittle DT. McDonald is the better choice at DT.
April 16th, 2026 at 1:23 pm
I’m Okay with that thinking
April 16th, 2026 at 1:35 pm
Roberts likely puts on weight and muscle this offseason. He showed well for a 5th round rookie and has real potential to be a good inside player once he gets his man body in place.
McDonald would definitely be a reach at 15 – he’s not a legit top 15 talent like Vea was. While I am always in favor of bolstering either front line with high end draft picks – there are a # of other DTs in this draft that would be much better value in the 2nd, 3rd or 4th rounds than McDonald in the 1st – especially at 15….
With Vea, Kancey, Robinson, Nacho and Roberts already signed this year – DT is nowhere close to a major need in 2026. Not compared to ILB and OLB. We need another good CB too – moreso than another DT….
ILB and OLB are this team’s biggest needs – and thankfully, there are plenty of both to choose from in this draft. But the value isn’t right at 15 for any of the better ones once Styles, Reese, Bailey and Baine are all off the board in the first 10-12 picks.
If the Bucs do get stuck in no man’s land – forced to pick at 15 with no decent trade down options – BPA with at least relative need will likely be whoever slips to 15 between G – Ioane, TE – Sadiq or one of the 2 higher rated CBs (Delane from LSU / McCoy from TN).
The ideal scenario is to trade down in the first and then use that extra draft capital to maneuver back up for two picks between 25>35 in order to pick up Allen, Rodriguez or Hill at ILB along with a good Edge prospect like Mesidor, Howell or Faulk.
April 16th, 2026 at 2:04 pm
BIG NO to Banks, but BIG YES to McDonald if we trade down and go that route….or after our first, if he’s there near bottom of 2nd, work a trade up!
April 16th, 2026 at 2:04 pm
I don’t think Sadiq will still be there at 15 but if he is the Bucs need to pick him. The guy is a freak with a tremendous upside and if he is still there may be the best player on the board. If he isn’t there then trade down and get a player or two extra to draft if they can find a trading partner.
April 16th, 2026 at 2:13 pm
Bucs And Them Says:
April 16th, 2026 at 9:21 am
If we can pull off getting McDonald & Rodriguez, I’d be elated!
======================================
There are many idiots who post here. You aren’t one of them. Will endorse your draft program. Hope Licht does as well, but not sure Rodriguez will last that deep into Round 2.
April 16th, 2026 at 2:22 pm
I’m a Buc fan regardless of who they draft
I won’t be disappointed, I’m just excited for the draft
The countdown to September
April 16th, 2026 at 2:22 pm
Love Kayden McDonald. IMHO, he will only get better.
As long as we get a solid multi-year starter (maybe even a pro bowl or two) out of first round that also contribute material value in 2026 season – that’s a victory. The most likely prospects that may be available to do that are: ‘Vega’ Ioane, Kayden McDonald, Kenyon Sadiq, Delane/McCoy, and maybe Keldrick Faulk (though understand the dissenting opinion for KF).
CJ Allen and J-Rod are also in this tier. Anthony Hill, Jr close behind. There are a lot of solid LB’s in this draft, though, DT & DE? Not so much.
——————————
Here is the question the Edge or bust crowd.
-> Consensus 1st round graded Edge talent available at#15: A. Messidor, TJ Parker, Malachi Lawrence, R Mason Thomas, Zion Young. Which of these pass rushers bet $1,000 will make a ProBowl before Kayden McDonald? Kenyon Sadiq? Vega Ioane? Jermod McCoy? Any of the 3 linebackers?
April 16th, 2026 at 2:22 pm
I wouldn’t put it past Licht to pick up a big OG like Loane and wait until the second round to get an edge rusher. OG last year was a total disaster and Robinson wants a running game. No idea if Mauch will be ready in time?
April 16th, 2026 at 2:46 pm
I like Kayden McDonald
But if they draft him in the first round
They have to get rid of Vita Vea
It won’t make sense to pay him, and sit McDonald
April 16th, 2026 at 2:55 pm
buc4evr – if Ioane is there at 15 – he’s likely the most talented player available at that spot – unless Sadiq or Love were to slip to 15 also.
Ioane is Pro Bowl – potential All Pro level talent. It would be like adding a young Quinten Nelson type talent to our already very good and still young starting OL.
Having Bredeson as your primary backup at IOL would help insure there would be no major drop off in line play when (not if) Mauch, Barton or the rookie has to miss 1 or more games this year.
If the 1st round goes relatively as expected – Ioane is actually the only pick I would be extremely pleased with if the Bucs are forced to pick at #15.
Continuing to bolster the OLine is the best way I know of to help ensure the 2026 Offense will be a good one (top 10 at least). Baker has plenty of “weapons” to work with already…..
If there’s no trade down opportunity and Ioane is sitting there – its basically a no brainer to take the most talented player at his position and improve the OLine with a stud LG – then, spend the rest of the draft improving the defense.
April 16th, 2026 at 3:23 pm
Lakeland … ‘It won’t make sense to pay him (Vea), and sit McDonald’.
You’re right, it wouldn’t. But …
1 – Vea averages about 600-650 def snaps per game, in those years that he stays healthy. The Bucs’ defense is on the field for roughly 1100 def snaps per season. Greg Gaines averaged slightly over 400 def snaps at NT over the past 3 years in spelling Vea.
2 – McDonald shouldn’t JUST be used at NT however; he’s very capable of playing up & down the DLine. Bucs MUST get more stout (beefier, nastier, whatever) on short yardage situations so that we can not just stop the run, but also pressure the QB big-time. Imagine putting a defense on the field in situations like that with Vea, McDonald & Robinson, plus Kancey & Diaby (or Muhammad). Those are the situations that make or break a game IMO.
April 16th, 2026 at 3:39 pm
I don’t care about any player’s combine. What I care about are how they performed in games.
The combine never shows the real players. It shows players who have been prepped just for the combine.
April 16th, 2026 at 3:40 pm
Defense Rules Says:
“Vea averages about 600-650 def snaps per game”
Well, that’s impossible. 😉
April 16th, 2026 at 4:53 pm
Would simply love this
April 16th, 2026 at 4:57 pm
Oops. Meant to say one reason I would love it is they could move Kancy to edge where he belongs
April 16th, 2026 at 5:35 pm
Defense Rules
I won’t have a problem with drafting Kayden McDonald
April 16th, 2026 at 6:33 pm
The player looks promising, but the alliteration is truly Lombardi trophy level: “massive mound of major-program man meat.” LOL
April 16th, 2026 at 7:05 pm
Draft this guy and move Kancey the edge
April 17th, 2026 at 8:59 am
Not at 15 if they trade back which they won’t cuz there won’t be a team to work with he won’t even be bpa it would be mccoy and sadiq production doesn’t match his physical traits and there is a rumor he may be a locker room cancer who doesn’t listen no thanks.
April 18th, 2026 at 7:47 am
That was such a run-on sentence I have no idea what you were trying to say. Who is a locker room cancer? You mentioned 2 players. I’ve heard nothing but good things about Sadiq and that he’s a good blocker too. There’s a couple prima donna pass catching tight ends out there who won’t block but not him.