After uneven results from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense during the 2025 season, it’s hard to argue against upgrading any part of that unit through the draft. If they want to beef up the interior, Ohio State DL Kayden McDonald might be a good place to start. And according to McDonald, the Steelers have already had a formal interview with him at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
“Oh yeah, for sure. We have a great relationship. [Cam Heyward’s] family, my family, and the Steelers. It’s a great opportunity. I had a formal interview with them and I felt really good about it,” McDonald said Wednesday via transcript provided by the PFWA
McDonald joins a growing list of interviews the Steelers have conducted. Staying on the defensive line, the Steelers have also interviewed Darrell Jackson Jr. and Lee Hunter. Elsewhere on defense, the Steelers have met with LBs Jake Golday and Bryce Boettcher and EDGE Anthony Lucas.
However, McDonald probably has a little more familiarity to the Steelers than the rest of those candidates. McDonald talked about his great relationship with Cam Heyward, one of Pittsburgh’s stalwarts.
“Oh, learning from Cam. He’s one of the best players to do it, and he’s still playing,” McDonald said. “Having him and being around Connor Heyward, just that brotherhood. I [fit] right in with him.”
McDonald elaborated about his relationship with Cameron Heyward and how their families ended up becoming close.
“I’ll say my brother, they went up to Peachtree Ridge together, so they grew up and played football together. And really my mom and his mom just clicked. And their whole family is just one big circle. You know, we all helpful to each other and we all grew up in the same area,” McDonald said.
Cameron Heyward and McDonald both grew up in Georgia, and they’re also each former Ohio State Buckeyes. With the connections already there between the two, it could be a good fit for obvious reasons.
The Combine may shake up draft stocks across the field, but McDonald currently seems to project as a mid-to-late first-round pick. At the 21st overall selection, there is a good chance he’s there when the Steelers go on the clock. And although Pittsburgh already has Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black as 2025 draft picks on the interior, it wouldn’t hurt to add McDonald. Harmon dealt with injuries last year, and Black didn’t have too much of a chance to prove himself. McDonald is an exciting prospect who could provide some key depth and a long-term answer along the Steelers’ defensive line.
However, there are other avenues Pittsburgh could take in the first round as well. Cornerback and safety could be bigger needs on the defensive sides of the ball. And if the Steelers don’t take Kayden McDonald in the first round, they’d likely have to trade up in the second to get him. However, given that connection and McDonald saying his Steelers interview went well, he is a name to keep an eye on.
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