FOX Sports analyst Nick Wright suggested that the Pittsburgh Steelers select Ohio State defensive lineman Kayden McDonald with the 21st overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft. He views McDonald as a potential heir apparent to aging star Cam Heyward. Wright made the comments on his First Things First show.
The Pittsburgh Steelers hold the 21st pick after selecting defensive lineman Derrick Harmon there last year. Wright argued for another early defensive line investment, citing Heyward's status as the league's oldest every-down defensive player and T.J. Watt's advancing age. 'Listen, he is an all-time legend at defensive end, Cameron Heyward, defensive end, d-tackle. He’s also the oldest every-down defensive player in the league. And T.J. Watt’s getting older. So I think Kayden McDonald is to try to add, right now, depth, and then eventually heir apparent, makes sense there,' Wright said Monday on First Things First. McDonald met with the Steelers at the NFL combine. Both he and Heyward hail from Georgia, attended Ohio State and share a close family connection. McDonald stands out with his sturdy build for run defense, strength to reset the line and quick get-off as a pass rusher, though his pass-rush moves need refinement. The Steelers mix veterans like Heyward and Watt with younger talents including Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer, Harmon, Keeanu Benton and newcomer Sebastian Joseph-Day. Analysts like Alex Kozora grade McDonald as a late first-round to early second-round prospect, making No. 21 a reasonable spot. While Wright is the first to link McDonald to Pittsburgh in the first round, other positions such as receiver, safety or offensive line may also tempt the team given their needs.