Would Kayden McDonald Make Sense for the Chargers?

The Los Angeles Chargers hold the 22nd overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald would be a smart selection if he falls. The 20-year-old would immediately bolster the interior of their defensive front while offering high upside value late in the first round.

McDonald had a decorated three-year career with the Buckeyes, earning Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year, First-team All-Big Ten and unanimous All-American honors in 2025, while also winning a national championship in 2024.

This past season, McDonald finished his junior year with two sacks, 14 total pressures and 34 stops, earning an 86.5 overall grade and a 91.2 run-defense grade from Pro Football Focus—the highest among all defensive tackles in 2025.

The Suwanee, GA native is a powerful interior defender who reads the run well and uses his strength and leverage to push through blockers and disrupt plays. He’s shown unusually high tackle-for-loss production for a defensive tackle and moves surprisingly well in tight spaces. On the other hand, he’s more of a slow, steady rusher than an immediate-pocket disruptor and can get held up by strong blocks or be a step late getting his hands into opponents.

At the 2026 NFL Combine this week, McDonald confidently stated, "I believe I’m the best defensive tackle in this draft class."

He measured six-foot-two and 326 pounds, with a 78⅜-inch wingspan, 32⅜-inch arms and 9⅝-inch hands, while posting a 73 overall total score in his workout, ranking second among defensive tackles. His production score of 73 ranked third, while his estimated athleticism score of 67 ranked 24th among defensive tackles who participated in the combine.

While positions like offensive line, edge rusher or wide receiver might seem like more enticing options to address immediate needs, you simply can’t pass up a player like McDonald at that value. He carries immense upside and the potential to become a staple of the interior of the defensive line for years to come.

This selection would also give Los Angeles flexibility in how they shape the rest of their defensive line this offseason. By securing a potential cornerstone in the interior with McDonald, the Chargers could focus on other priorities, such as re-signing edge rushers Odafe Oweh—a possible franchise tag candidate—and Khalil Mack in free agency. Investing in McDonald would give the team an instinctual run stopper with a high motor, providing stability and long-term flexibility up front.