The Chicago Bears are getting through pro days and private visits with top draft prospects. They have just over a month left before the action begins on April 23rd. General manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson still have tons of work to do before setting their board. The obvious challenge is determining who will be at or near the top. Several prospects are unlikely to be available to them at #25 overall. That means they must be realistic about who they have a reasonable shot at taking. One of those names is Kayden McDonald.
The big defensive tackle from Ohio State confirmed to Justin Melo of Sports Illustrated that he has met with the Bears twice. He met them formally at the scouting combine and has also visited Halas Hall for a top-30 visit.
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 (laughs). 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.
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, Bears.
Meeting with a defensive tackle shouldn’t be a surprise. The Bears have obvious needs along the defensive line with Andrew Billings gone, Grady Jarrett in his 30s, and Gervon Dexter in the last year of his contract. It isn’t McDonald’s talent that makes this supposed interest from Chicago so odd. It’s the type of player he is.
Kayden McDonald doesn’t fit Dennis Allen’s usual type.
Or more specifically, he doesn’t meet the parameters of defensive tackles that the Bears’ defensive coordinator has targeted in previous drafts. Since 2011, Allen has seen nine players drafted at that position. All who were selected before the 3rd round weighed no more than 300 lbs. In fact, only two of them weighed more than 310 lbs. One was 4th round pick Justin Ellis in 2014, and the other was 6th round pick Khristian Boyd in 2024. McDonald is listed at 326 lbs and is expected to go between the bottom of the 1st round or the top of the 2nd. That is far above the typical range Allen’s teams have added such players in the past.
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So why the interest? McDonald is considered somewhat unique as a talent. Though he has the classic body of a nose tackle and the power to go with it, he is considered abnormally quick for his size. This allows him to shoot gaps and make plays in the backfield. This is before you discuss his excellent ability as a run defender. Some people see shades of Vince Wilfork, who had many similar qualities. It’s worth remembering the Bears were 27th against the run last season. Having somebody like McDonald in the middle could alleviate such problems.
The Bears might be willing to make an exception.
While Kayden McDonald is heavier than Allen’s preferred type of defensive tackle, he’s shown to be quick and explosive enough to overlook it. While not a pure penetrator from a pass-rush perspective, he has enough to complement his elite run-defending ability. Remember, Allen is a defensive coordinator who loves to blitz. To be effective in that department, the defense should aim to put opponents in long down-and-distance situations. Nothing makes that easier than a strong run defense.
Coach Johnson said his only goal is to add good football players to this roster. Measurables aside, McDonald is a good football player. If Allen can’t find a use for somebody with his unique skill, then maybe he shouldn’t be a coordinator in the NFL. Part of the problem for this team has been controlling the line of scrimmage. Too often, they’ve been easily pushed around by strong offensive lines. That would start changing with McDonald on the field. Everything boils down to whether Allen is willing to go outside his comfort zone.
