Three Best NFL Draft Landing Spots for Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald

Here are three landing spots that would be ideal fits for former Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald.

Dec 6, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive lineman Kayden McDonald (98) reacts before the 2025 Big Ten championship game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images | Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

The Ohio State Buckeyes are set to have a handful of players selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

However, defensive tackle Kayden McDonald may end up waiting a bit longer to hear his name called that night.

McDonald should be a late first-round pick or, at worst, an early second-round pick, and here are a few good landing spots for the former Buckeye.

Cleveland Browns

Cleveland drafted a defensive tackle with its first-round pick last season in Mason Graham, and it might not pass up the chance to take another one early.

Graham showed great promise in his first season, but he could benefit from having a reliable teammate by his side for the long haul. Currently, Cleveland has Maliek Collins starting alongside him, but Collins is coming off an injury and has just one year remaining on his contract.

The Browns have two first-round picks, sitting at No. 6 and No. 24. While it’s unlikely that Cleveland will choose McDonald with the sixth pick, it might consider selecting him at No. 24.

Cleveland needs all the talent it can get on both sides, and while it needs offense way more, never take the Browns out of the conversation of drafting the best available player.

Buffalo Bills

The Bills hold the No. 26 pick, and Buffalo could add any player to its front seven. Nobody should have an issue with it, since it needs a linebacker, a defensive end and a defensive tackle.

Buffalo has Ed Oliver anchoring its defensive line, but he played only three games last season due to injury and may be approaching the final years of his time with the Bills.

McDonald could be an excellent fit with the Bills, bringing his experience playing in big games at Ohio State to Buffalo, which has been striving to reach the Super Bowl for several years.

Houston Texans

Houston currently has the No. 28 pick and should consider strengthening its defensive line. Right now, Sheldon Rankins and Tommy Togiai are projected as the starting defensive tackles, but adding some competition wouldn’t hurt. McDonald could provide an upgrade over both players.

The Texans would be lucky to add a player like McDonald to the fold, and they are another team that is only a few wins away from reaching a Super Bowl. Adding someone who won the 2024 College Football National Championship could bring winning experience to the room.