Jaguars may already regret passing on Kayden McDonald after preseason showing

The Jacksonville Jaguars needed help on the interior defensive line in the offseason. That's why they were connected to virtually every defensive tackle prospect in this year's draft. The one that stood out the most was Kayden McDonald, who was projected to go in the first or second round.

McDonald ended up sliding to Round 2, and the Jags had a prime opportunity to trade up for him but opted not to. He ultimately went to the dreaded rival Houston Texans. While the former Ohio State Buckeye has yet to play the regular season, he's already flashing big-play potential.

Looking back, letting him go the Texans could come back to haunt Jacksonville.

The Jaguars are watching Kayden McDonald thrive with the Texans

Houston faced the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 2 of the preseason. Kayden McDonald made his presence felt by dragging fellow rookie Fernando Mendoza for a sack.

It wasn't just that McDonald registered a sack, but the feistiness he showed to bring Mendoza down. But even before the preseason, he had already made waves. Back at training camp, head coach DeMeco Ryans heaped praise on the first-year defensive tackle, arguing that he was one of the stronger guys the team has.

Similarly, teammate Will Anderson is impressed with the work McDonald has put in. Granted, it's only the preseason, but McDonald is already showing why he was one of the top, if not the top, ranked defensive tackles in this year's class.

Aside from Kayden McDonald, the Jaguars had a realistic chance to target Peter Woods, Christen Miller, and Lee Hunter. The only defensive tackle that was probably out of reach was Caleb Banks, who went to the Minnesota Vikings at No. 18 on Day 1.

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The Jaguars did address the D-line but could have used Kayden McDonald

After choosing not to make a splash in free agency, the Jags were routinely projected to go defensive tackle with their first pick in the draft, the 56th overall. There were even a few scenarios in which they moved into the first round to address the position. However, they traded for Ruke Orhorhoro one week before the 2026 annual player selection meeting. They then took Albert Regis in Round 3.

Orhorhoro and Regis have definitely given the interior defensive line a boost, but imagine how much stronger the Jags would've been at defensive tackle had they drafted McDonald? Now they have to face them and worry about him twice a year for the next four seasons at least.

Of course, we're discussing the situation with the benefit of hindsight. Having said that, McDonald was far from a scrub. He was a highly regarded prospect, so even though players' readiness is always variable, Jacksonville passed on him and instead picked tight end Nate Boekircher.

The decision will look much better if the Jaguars win, and Nate Boerkircher develops into a building block. But as long as Kayden McDonald thrives, the regret could linger in Duval.

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