Ohio State's stout run defender Kayden McDonald could solidify Seattle's defensive front, plugging gaps and disrupting opponents' ground game from the interior.
The Seattle Seahawks lost a key member of their front seven in Boye Mafe to the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency, and they could look to remedy that in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.
In a recent mock by PFF's Daire Carragher, he has them doing exactly that. With the final pick in the first round of the draft, he thinks they could take Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald to add to their line.
"The Seahawks will not fall into the trap of making a luxury running back pick to close out Day 1 as the reigning champions," Carragher writes. "Instead, they return to drafting one of the best available players to keep competition strong along their defensive front. McDonald has not been a standout pass rusher to this point, but he ranked first among all college interior defensive linemen in PFF run-defense grade this past season."
At around 320 pounds, he is widely regarded as one of the top run defenders in the 2026 class. His ability to anchor against double teams, control gaps, and disrupt rushing lanes makes him an ideal interior presence. He consistently wins with strength and leverage, showing the kind of physicality Seattle has long valued in the middle of its defense.
But McDonald is more than just a space-eater. While his primary strength is stopping the run, there is growing belief that he offers untapped upside as a pass rusher. He has shown flashes of pocket push and surprising athleticism for his size, suggesting he could develop into a more complete defensive weapon at the next level.
While he had just three sacks in his junior season with the Buckeyes, had 65 total tackles, nine of which were for a loss. Defensive lineman do more than just get to the quarterback, and McDonald is a perfect example of that.
DeMarcus Lawrence is also likely nearing the end of his accomplished NFL career, so picking a guy like McDonald could soften the blow of losing a veteran presence like that on the defensive side of the ball.
The Seahawks are the defending Super Bowl champions this season, and the best way to defend their Vince Lombardi Trophy is to double down on their defensive identity in the draft.