Kayden McDonald
Ohio State DT Kayden McDonald.
Say it isn’t so! The schlockers may be full of schlock?
Regular readers know how “this Joe” is irritated by schlock drafts. Joe strives for and craves accuracy. If one isn’t trying to be accurate, then what’s the point?
Schlock drafts have become the literal definition of clickbait.
Twice in the past month, a couple of clowns for CBS — not prickly Pete Prisco! — had the Bucs drafting an offensive tackle. Igits. Nice research.
A prominent schlocker for BSPN (fittingly) once told Joe at a combine years ago, “If you think I’m concerned about accuracy, you’ve got another thing coming.”
Then why should anyone read his fiction? Why should anyone take him more seriously than Sylvester the Cat analyzing draft prospects?
Talk about irresponsible. Yet people can’t stop reading.
Joe misses the greats who did true mock drafts and cared about their accuracy and had access to the shot-callers around the league to get intel. Man, what kind of cash could Joel Buchsbaum make today?
Over the past week, Joe has been more and more thinking the Bucs may draft a defensive tackle in the first round if Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht can work a trade-down deal.
Currently, a guy Joe does believe cares about accuracy, Daniel Jeremiah, the former Baltimore, Cleveland, and Philadelphia scout, has one defensive tackle going in the first round, Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald at No. 25.
The Bucs pick at No. 15. So selecting McDonald 10 slots higher sure smells like a reach. Generally, reaching general managers get in trouble. So that’s why Joe thinks McDonald could be a trade-down target for Licht.
Former Bears director of scouting feisty Greg Gabriel, however, is a huge fan of McDonald and thinks he’s being undervalued. Gabriel contends McDonald, who measured 6-2 and 325 pounds at the combine at 21 years old, won’t last to No. 25. If he’s accurate, then the Bucs picking at No. 15 really wouldn’t be reaching far for McDonald.
So why would the Bucs want a defensive tackle? It seems Licht saw the defensive softness Joe saw last year. With the addition of lineabacker Alex Anzalone and A’Shawn Robinson, Licht is bringing a hitter and a physical brawler.
McDonald fits that same description.
Bucs defensive tackle Calijah Kancey has almost missed as many games as he has played — 22 of 51 regular-season games in his three Bucs seasons. And Vita Vea and Robinson are 31 in contract years. Licht also signed old man Nacho on Friday.
So the Bucs future at defensive tackle is thinner than you may realize. (It’s almost like the Bucs are fully expecting Kancey to get hurt again.)
McDonald at No. 15 may not be a crazy concept. He may not be much of a pass rusher but he sure is a bully in the trenches.
The only DT that I’d even consider at 25 is McDonald. He doesn’t quite fit the athletic profile DA wants but he’s strong, explosive and a the kind of disruptor that DA wants. Personally, I don’t think he gets to 25. The analysts don’t have him high enough
— Greg Gabriel (@ggabefootball) April 4, 2026
Some Kayden McDonald run game highlights. This is what the late Round 1 NTs look like. pic.twitter.com/GlogfXOJKA
— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) February 18, 2026