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Coveted Rookie Defender Met with Vikings
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- Coveted Rookie Defender Met with Vikings
Trevor Ruszkowski
The Minnesota Vikings are probably in the market for a young defensive tackle, so it made sense this week when Ohio State rookie Kayden McDonald mentioned the purple team as one of the teams that sought him out for a pre-draft chat.
Minnesota's pre-draft interest points to a real need at nose tackle.
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McDonald is expected to fly off the draftboard in less than 30 days somewhere late in Round 1 or early in Round 1. Put him on your Vikings bingo board .
McDonald Fits Minnesota's iDL Plan
Is it time for Minnesota to put its foot down and get a true nose tackle?
Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald (98) walks across the field during Big Ten Championship action, taking in the scene as the Buckeyes face Indiana on Dec. 6, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, showcasing his presence along the defensive front for Ohio State. Mandatory Credit: Grace Hollars/USA TODAY NETWORK-Imagn Images.
McDonald Reveals His List of Teams That Met with Him
McDonald spoke with SI.com this week, and he didn't keep any secrets.
He told Justin Melo , "I feel like I've been meeting with pretty much every NFL team. It's a total blessing. Formal interviews, Zoom meetings, it really feels like it's been every team.. I had formals at the NFL Combine with the Los Angeles Rams , Los Angeles Chargers , Baltimore Ravens , Arizona Cardinals , Cincinnati Bengals , Denver Broncos , Minnesota Vikings , Carolina Panthers , Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers , Chicago Bears , and a few others."
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"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, and Bears. Every team that needs a physical defensive tackle has been in touch with me."
In a crowded field, the Vikings were present.
The Scouting Report
At 6'3″ and 326 pounds, McDonald checks every box for a true nose tackle. He clogs space up front, holds firm at the point of attack, and moves with surprising quickness for a player built like that.
Our Janik Eckardt on his scouting profile : "Kayden McDonald is a powerful, productive interior defensive lineman with a strong foundation as a run defender. His leverage, recognition, and ability to disrupt plays at the line of scrimmage make him a consistent presence against the run."
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"While his pass-rush upside remains limited and areas such as hand usage and pad level require refinement, his production and physical traits provide a strong base for NFL development . McDonald projects as a late first-round to early second-round prospect with the potential to become a reliable starting defensive tackle in the right system."
Last year, the Vikings "reached" a bit for offensive tackle Donovan Jackson from the same school. McDonald would follow the pattern.
Eckardt added, "McDonald projects as a late first-round to early second-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, with value tied to his run defense, production, and interior presence. His ability to control the line of scrimmage and consistently impact the run game makes him an appealing option for teams seeking a foundational defensive tackle."
"He fits best in defensive systems that utilize interior linemen to control gaps and disrupt blocking schemes, particularly in even-front alignments. His ability to play as a nose tackle or interior defender adds flexibility to defensive rotations."
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The Departures of Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave
The Vikings have a sudden draft need at defensive tackle , and they're not shy about it. The club released Allen and Hargrave two weeks ago, two starters from the 2025 squad. In fact, former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah made Allen and Hargrave his keynote free-agent splashes on defense in 2025, and the two just didn't live up to expectations. Allen signed with the Cincinnati Bengals, and Hargrave decided to become a Green Bay Packers , of all teams.
Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald (98) stands on the sideline during rivalry action against Michigan, observing the game as the Buckeyes secured a 27-9 victory on Nov. 29, 2025, at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, remaining engaged throughout the matchup from the bench area. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns/USA TODAY NETWORK-Imagn Images.
For now, Minnesota is slated to give most DT snaps to Jalen Redmond , Levi Drake Rodriguez , and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins . Unless the Vikings sign free agent Christian Wilkins , for example, an interior defensive lineman will likely be a target early in the draft.
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That's why the McDonald meeting feels so relevant.
Other Round 1 Options
If McDonald is not the pick and the pre-draft meeting was just for due diligence, the Vikings could explore a player at the same position, such as Clemson's Peter Woods or Florida's Caleb Banks. Safety is a need, too, making Dillon Thieneman of Oregon a mock-draft darling, in addition to Toledo's Emmanuel McNeill-Warren.
The Vikings also always need cornerbacks, with Tennessee 's Jermod McCoy and Clemson's Avieon Terrell as two common-sense targets in the 1st Round.
Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq (18) celebrates after reaching the end zone early in Big Ten Championship play, reacting to his touchdown against Penn State on Dec. 7, 2024, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis during a high-energy opening quarter moment. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images.
Or — the club could swerve in the mindset of "best player available" and draft a player like Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq .
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All things considered, McDonald would be a pretty "safe" pick. The Vikings haven't drafted a defensive tackle in the first couple of rounds of the draft in 13 years. They're probably overdue for a pick like McDonald.
The draft is 29 days away.
