Patriots draft profile: Kayden McDonald is a dominant run defender

On paper, the New England Patriots appear to be in a good position along their interior defensive line. Milton Williams and Christian Barmore are one of the top duos in football, and both still under contract for multiple years. And yet, the team might decide to use draft capital to further bolster the group.

Even with Cory Durden impressing last year, the depth behind Williams and Barmore could improve after Khyiris Tonga’s free agency departure to Kansas City. The Patriots could try to go after a Tonga-like player type in the draft in order to improve the overall quality of the depth chart.

And if they do, Kayden McDonald is a player to keep an eye on.

Hard facts

Name: Kayden McDonald

Position: Interior defensive line/Nose tackle

School: Ohio State (Jr.)

Opening day age: 21 (3/21/2005)

Measurements: 6’2 1/8”, 326 lbs, 32 1/4” arm length, 78 1/8” wingspan, 9 3/4” hand size, N/A Relative Athletic Score

Experience

Colleges: Ohio State (2023-25)

Accolades: Unanimous All-American (2025), Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year (2025), First-team All-Big Ten (2025), CFP national champion (2024)

A football and basketball player growing up, it took just until his sophomore year of high school to earn an offer from the Georgia Bulldogs. McDonald ultimately decided to not stay in-state and committed to Ohio State his senior season as a four-star recruit.

After playing just six games his freshman season, McDonald took on a rotational role the following season on a defensive line that helped the Buckeyes win a National Championship. With all four starters then moving on, McDonald became a starter in 2025 on Matt Patricia’s defensive line. He had a breakout season leading the FBS in run stops as he was named a consensus All-American and the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year.

McDonald then elected to forgo his senior year to enter the NFL Draft.

Draft profile

Projected round: 1-2 | Consensus big board: No. 31 | Patriots meeting: 30 visit

Strengths: McDonald is a filled out defensive tackle at 6-foot-3, 326 pounds with elite play strength that allows him to take up space and hold his ground in the run game. The power and violence he plays with up front leads to him dominating guards and centers on the regular while he also has some initial quickness and upper body twitch. McDonald shows great awareness finding the football highlighted by his 9.0 TFL while he led the FBS last season with 30 run stuffs.

Weaknesses: McDonald offers very little as a pass rusher with only 17 career pressures to his name — most coming from walking back centers. That could limit him to a two-down player in the NFL, while he also has below average range while defending across the line. As a one-year starter, McDonald enters the league with just 695 defensive snaps to his name.

Patriots preview

What would be his role? As a nose tackle, McDonald could seamlessly slide into the role Khyiris Tonga held for the Patriots last season — leading to him playing a heavy amount of snaps on early downs and in short-yardage situations as he anchors the run defense.

Does he have positional versatility? McDonald will live in the A-gaps as a very good nose tackle at the next level. He did play field goal block on special teams and was occasionally part of the punt return unit — perhaps making him a fit for New England’s gray team which Tonga was a member of last season. Also like Tonga, McDonald play four offensive snaps at fullback during his time with the Buckeyes.

What is his growth potential? As just a one-year starter and an early declare, the 21-year-old McDonald should have plenty of room for growth. He has the makings to become one of the best run defenders in football along the interior while New England could perhaps develop him into at least a consistent pocket pusher in the pass game with some improve pad level (they helped Tonga reach a career-high 17 pressures last season).

Why the Patriots? McDonald could simply be the best player available when the Patriots are on the clock at pick No. 31. And while they don’t project to have an immediate need at defensive tackle, the future of Christian Barmore could be in question (especially if they look to free up cash) while perhaps they view last year as the ceiling for some of their other depth options. New England has plenty of ties to the Ohio State program and hosted McDonald on a 30 visit.

Why not the Patriots? The Patriots may feel confident in their depth players continuing to develop behind Williams and Barmore, as Durden was a key role player last year and Leonard Taylor III flashed down the stretch. 2025 fourth-round pick Joshua Farmer will also rejoin the rotation. New England could then bolster the group later in the draft and use their first-round selection elsewhere.

One-sentence verdict: A monster of a run defender, McDonald could be the best overall player on the board by the time the Patriots are on the clock.

For more information about Kayden McDonald and the rest of this year’s class of prospects, please take a look at Adam’s 2026 NFL Draft Guide.

Also, what do you think about McDonald as a potential Patriots target? Do you like him? Where would you pick him? Please head down to the comment section to share your thoughts.

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