\u201cThe Green Bay Packers require more depth at defensive tackle despite acquiring Javon Hargrave, who is a temporary solution,\u201d Melo wrote. \u201cKayden McDonald is a fringe first-round prospect who would be an absolute steal here<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n Other than 27 reps on the 225-pound bench press, McDonald did not test at the Scouting Combine but he measured 6-foot-2 and 326 pounds.<\/p>\n McDonald was the Big Ten\u2019s Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year after recording 65 tackles, including three sacks and nine tackles for losses.<\/p>\n \u201cWith Peter Woods and Caleb Banks slipping out of this projection, there would be value available at defensive tackle in the second round,\u201d Melo concluded. \u201cMcDonald is an elite run defender with rare size and penetration skills.\u201d<\/p>\n The question is whether McDonald would get close to Green Bay\u2019s spot at No. 52. For instance, he is the No. 26 overall prospect, according to The Athletic\u2019s Dane Brugler<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cHis dominant run-game qualities will make him immediately useful for an NFL team,\u201d Brugler said in wrapping up his thoughts on McDonald.<\/p>\n McDaniel is the No. 39 overall prospect, according to NFL.com\u2019s Daniel Jeremiah<\/a>. While McDaniel lacks \u201ctwitch and polish\u201d as a pass rusher, he\u2019d immediately upgrade the run defense.<\/p>\n \u201cMcDonald has excellent size and strength for the DT position,\u201d he wrote as a part of a longer breakdown. \u201cHe\u2019s at his best against the run. He can press out blocks and disengage with violent torque.\u201d<\/p>\n McDonald\u2019s emergence began in 2024, when he made an enormous tackle on third-and-goal against Penn State.<\/p>\n \u201c(McDonald) is a guy that, particularly when you put him in those situations where he\u2019s just head up on the center and his job is just to knock that guy back, I think he\u2019s showing to have the ability to really change the game and change the line of scrimmage,\u201d then-defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said<\/a>.<\/p>\n In 2025 under the tutelage of new defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, McDonald was at his best when his best was required with eight-tackle games against Texas, Penn State and Miami.<\/p>\n \u201cI manifested the breakout season by working hard the entire time, whether I was playing or not,\u201d he told Melo<\/a>. \u201cI remember our first game of the season was against Texas. That\u2019s a big game to start the year.<\/p>\n \u201cI knew if I had a good game, I could take it one day at a time and build on that performance. I kept developing as I became a more mature player. I think you can look at each game this past season and say I got better every single week. I played my best football when we had our biggest games.\u201d<\/p>\n The Packers have a huge need at defensive tackle. The 3-4 requires three big defensive linemen. With Devonte Wyatt and Javon Hargrave, the Packers have two. The rest of the depth chart is rounded out by late-round or undrafted players such as Karl Brooks, Warren Brinson, Jonathan Ford and Nazir Stackhouse.<\/p>\n With Hargrave replacing Wooden, who wasn\u2019t a great run stopper but he was their best, even a two-down player like McDonald would be an enormous asset.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re getting the most physical defensive tackle in the NFL Draft,\u201d he told Melo. \u201cI\u2019m going to elevate the room. I want to help the team win a Super Bowl. I believe my teammates are going to love me. I\u2019m going to earn their respect.\u201d<\/p>\n McDonald was Ohio State\u2019s first All-American nose tackle since Jonathan Hankins in 2012.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/assets.minutemediacdn.com\/platform\/google_discover_icon.svg\"){kind=icon}
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