The Las Vegas Raiders are set to have a top 30 visit with one of this year’s top defensive tackle prospects, Ohio State DT Kayden McDonald.
“I’ve been on Top 30 visits. I have one with the Bengals, New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders, Houston Texans, Miami Dolphins, Washington Commanders, Ravens, Bears,” McDonald said. “Every team that needs a physical defensive tackle has been in touch with me.”
There’s only one problem. Las Vegas doesn’t have the Ravens’ first-round draft pick anymore, and there’s a slim chance McDonald makes it to the Raiders’ next draft selection in the second round at pick 36.
Raiders Could Be Prepared to Make A Bold Draft Move for Kayden McDonald
Kayden McDonald is viewed by many draft analysts as the top nose tackle/defensive tackle in this year’s NFL Draft. Among qualified DTs last season, he ranked first in run defense grade (91.2), first in tackles for loss/no gain (16), first in run stops (30), and fourth in tackles (60).
McDonald also sent a message to NFL teams on what type of player they’ll get if they draft him.
“They’re getting the most physical defensive tackle in the NFL Draft. I’m 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’m going to earn their respect. …I want to make an instant impact in the NFL. To have that opportunity is a blessing and I don’t take it lightly. I want to play at the highest level. I’ve been dreaming about that forever. I know how rare the opportunity is. Me being one of those one percenters is a blessing and I don’t take it lightly.”
As mentioned earlier, if the Raiders want McDonald, they’ll likely have to trade up to draft him. Let’s use The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner’s recent mock draft as a starting block for what a potential trade-up could look like.
He has the Raiders trading up with the Chicago Bears to pick 25, giving up picks 36, 102, and a future third-round pick. There’s a good chance McDonald will be available at pick 25, so Las Vegas could give up a similar trade package to draft him.
These Top 30 Visits Matter
These top 30 visits matter for the Raiders, as general manager John Spytek drafted four prospects that Las Vegas hosted on top 30 visits last year (Ashton Jeanty, Cam Miller, Caleb Rogers, and Charles Grant).
So even if it looks like this meeting with McDonald doesn’t matter, it does. Is he someone worth trading up for in the first round? That’s a question for Spytek and the Raiders’ front office to figure out.
Here are the pros and cons of McDonald, courtesy of BengalsBrews on X:
Pros
- Great size for nose tackle (6’3 326)
- Tough to move out of his gap
- Plays with natural leverage
- Elite 13.8% stop rate in 2025
- Career-high 3 sacks in 2025
- Strength at the point of attack
- Thick frame and strong hands
- 91.2 run defense grade
- 3.3% missed tackle rate
Cons
- Questions about his arm length
- Needs to expend his pass rush arsenal
- 8.5% win rate on true pass sets in 2025
- One year as a full-time starter
“Draft projection: 1st round”
Everyone knows that the Raiders are drafting Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick. But Las Vegas could surprise a lot of people and trade back into the first round and draft Kayden McDonald.
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