Kayden

McDonald

The rookie second-round defensive tackle gets the full $12.9 million guaranteed. McDonald should benefit from learning behind Sheldon Rankins, a storied NFL veteran with numerous years of elite production to his resume. Expect McDonald to see package work early in his career, with the franchise’s eyes on developing him into a top defensive lineman.

Kayden McDonald (6’3/326) was a consistently disruptive interior anchor for Ohio State in 2025, posting 67 tackles (28 solo) with a dominant 95.5 percent tackle efficiency against the run and a strong 91.2 Run Defense grade from PFF. He piled up 13 Havoc Plays, including 9.5 TFL, three sacks, and 17 run stops, pairing stout gap control with backfield penetration to help stabilize OSU’s front. As a pass rusher, McDonald wasn’t volume-driven (196 rushes) but still produced value with seven pressures, three sacks created, and a blistering 2.50s Time-to-First-Pressure, earning a modest 62.8 Pass Rush grade from PFF for his interior push. His 86.5 overall defensive grade rounded out a well-balanced profile that rewarded his play strength, leverage, and run-fit awareness more than splashy sack totals. In total, McDonald was OSU’s best run defender on the roster and one of the Big Ten’s most dominant trench enforcers. He should carve out a long and productive career as a dependable early down run stopper with upside as an interior rusher.

Raanan posted the note in response to his own social media post from earlier today, where he said the Giants looked into moving back into the end of Round 1. He believes they “could be aggressive early here at the beginning of the second round.” The front office wants to “add a weapon” for QB Jaxson Dart.

Pelissero echoed NFL insider Jordan Schultz’s phrasing from a report issued earlier today, saying it sounds like the 49ers are “very open” to fielding trade offers for the No. 33 overall pick. Pelissero mentions Ohio State DT Kayden McDonald, Washington WR Denzel Boston, Miami QB Carson Beck and Tennessee CBs Colton Hood and Jermod McCoy as possible targets.

Jeremiah also thinks Ohio State S Caleb Downs’ odds of being drafted in the top 10 are greater than 50.0 percent. He adds that Ohio State DT Kayden McDonald will be drafted between picks 25 and 35. Jeremiah’s colleague, Ian Rapoport, said last week that he believes Tate will be drafted in the top 15. Sounds like his stock is ticking upward.

McDonald (6'3/310) is a native of Suwanee, Georgia and plays for North Gwinnett High School. The highly-coveted recruit is the 41st-ranked DL of the 2023 class and is the 293rd-ranked player nationally per 247Sports’ composite rankings. A crystal ball prediction at 247Sports.com already has McDonald heading to Georgia, but the blue-chip recruit has only narrowed his list down to 10 potential suitors at this time. Those programs include Arkansas, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, NC State, Michigan, Michigan State, Oklahoma, Ohio State and Texas A&M. Last season for Gwinnett High School, McDonald totaled 95 tackles which included 62 tackles for a loss and 20 sacks. Already projected as a multi-year starter for a Power Five program, McDonald should make one school very happen when he decides to commit in the near future.