The Shocking Truth Behind Kayden McDonald’s Potential Slide to Pick 36 in 2026 NFL Draft
We’re less than one week away from the biggest event of the offseason: the 2026 NFL draft. There shouldn’t be any drama with the No. 1 overall pick (you never know with this team), as Fernando Mendoza is widely expected to be the next player added to the Las Vegas Raiders’ roster. So, the draft really gets interesting for the Raiders in the second round with pick 36, the primary focus of this week’s mailbag.
Q: Suddenly, I am seeing much press about the Raiders taking Kayden McDonald at #36. While I am excited about the prospect of that, do you think that is realistic? I mean that in two ways: that he falls that far and that the Raiders would select him there over other needs.
A: I think I’m going to disappoint some people because I kind of have a cop-out answer: I think it’s unlikely, but it is realistic that McDonald is available at No. 36.
It’s unlikely because this year’s defensive tackle class as a whole leaves something to be desired, unless you’re looking for a nose tackle, and McDonald has enough versatility to fit into multiple schemes and lineup at several alignments. Also, I think he’s just as good, if not better, a prospect than his former teammate, Tyleik Williams, who went 28th overall to the Lions last year. Also, there are a handful of teams that are picking at the end of round one who could use a run-stuffing defensive tackle—the Bears, Bills, Texans and Patriots.
However, it is realistic because the Ohio State product doesn’t offer much as a pass-rusher right now. Being a two-down player at a non-premium position clouds his draft projection. Teams might be looking for someone who never has to leave the field with their first-round pick. I think he can develop as a pass-rusher down the line, but that doesn’t matter; it’s about what the clubs in the mid- to late-20s and early-30s think.
As far as whether Las Vegas will select McDonald if he’s available, I imagine he’s one of their top choices heading into Friday. Personally, there are very few other prospects I’d take over him at 36 if I’m John Spytek, and it would likely be someone who was expected to come off the board on Thursday but slid.
I could see Spytek going with a wide receiver or cornerback over McDonald/the more immediate need, since the Raiders have met with so many wideouts and defensive backs throughout the pre-draft process. But I do think there can be a perfect situation where the former Buckeye is the best player available and fills a need in Las Vegas at the top of round two.
Q: What position of need are you planning for the second and third rounds of the draft?
A: If we’re looking just at needs, I think it makes the most sense to target a nose tackle in the second and free safety in the third with how the draft board currently looks. If one of the top three safeties—Caleb Downs, Dillon Thieneman or Emmanuel McNeil-Warren—slides out of the first round, then I’d flip the priority list. But I get the feeling those three are going to be top 20 picks.
Meanwhile, I think McDonald (if he falls), Lee Hunter or Christen Miller are good value at 36. If Miller is the target, I’d like to see the Raiders trade back and get him, but that seems to be wishful thinking because he’s been trending up recently.
At safety, there’s a weird gap between the three prospects mentioned above and AJ Haulcy, the consensus fourth safety in the class. Haulcy’s value is in the 50s, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him available at the top of the third round. Even if he isn’t, if you’ve been following me over the past several weeks, you know how much I love Bud Clark and would be more than happy taking him at 67.
I know a lot of people are probably thinking wide receiver at either of these two spots. I get that and wouldn’t be surprised if Las Vegas targets the position at 36, especially if KC Concepcion, Omar Cooper Jr. or Denzel Boston fall. But I’m in the camp that wants to see what the Raiders have in the current position group and then target a wideout next offseason. I still have my eye on getting Jeremiah Smith in next year’s draft.
SacRaider
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