One key position the Las Vegas Raiders haven’t done much to address this offseason is defensive tackle. Outside of re-signing Thomas Booker, the team hasn’t added a defensive tackle in free agency.
Considering it’s a sizable need for the Raiders, it wouldn’t be a surprise if they targeted the position early in the draft. The first-round pick is spoken for, as the team is widely expected to select quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
What the Raiders will do with the No. 36 pick in the second round is more of a mystery. There’s been speculation that they could take a wide receiver there. They’ve met with a ton of prospects, and it’s definitely a position of need. That said, the Raiders used last year’s second-round pick on a wide receiver, so it might be time to go defense.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. believes that’s what they’ll do. In his latest mock draft, he has the Raiders selecting Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald.
“The final player from my current top-25 Big Board, McDonald can plug the middle at 6-2 and 326 pounds,” Kiper wrote. “He had 17 run stops last season. But he’s more than just a run stopper; McDonald added 3.5 sacks and has some untapped potential in that area. He emerged in a big way during the 2025 season, and he could do wonders for the Raiders’ defense.”
McDonald Is Strong Run Defender
McDonald is coming off a very strong year for the Buckeyes and won the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year award. He’s not going to bring a ton of pressure on the quarterback. He has just 3.0 sacks in three seasons.
However, he is a disruptive force, landing nine tackles for loss in 2025. He’s also massive at 326 pounds. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein praised McDonald’s ability in run defense in his scouting report.
“A talented run defender, McDonald plays with natural leverage and rattles pads with his initial contact,” Zierlein wrote. “He’s quick to locate ball-carriers, play off of blocks and rally to the action. His technique is a bit underdeveloped and he’s not a natural drain-clogger against double teams, but he still managed an unusually high tackle rate as an interior defender. Quicker hand strikes should allow for more efficient reps and earlier wins at the point. He offers limited rush value, so his money will be made by giving grief to centers and guards as an even-front nose tackle with starting potential.”
Kiper Praises Mendoza
The Raiders have a lot of picks in this year’s draft, but nobody is going to get the fanfare that the No. 1 pick gets. Kiper, along with many others, projected the team to take Mendoza with that top pick, and he had some high praise for the quarterback.
“Las Vegas could theoretically turn the draft card in now and start celebrating the landing of its new franchise quarterback. Mendoza is accurate with the football, can pick up the sticks with his legs when necessary and is able to execute any NFL-level throw,” Kiper wrote. “Considering the Raiders have been among the bottom five in QBR over the past five seasons (44.8), there’s no reason to overthink this. Let’s get to the Jets at No. 2, where the draft really starts.”
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