Las Vegas Raiders Top 5 nose tackle options in 2026 NFL draft

COLUMBUS, OHIO - NOVEMBER 22: Defensive tackle Kayden McDonald #98 of the Ohio State Buckeyes seen in action during the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Ohio Stadium on November 22, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images) | Getty Images Especially with the Las Vegas Raiders shifting to a 3-4 base defense , nose tackle is one of the biggest needs on the roster heading into the 2026 NFL draft. The previous coaching staff focused on defensive tackles who are smaller and quicker to shoot gaps in even fronts, leaving new head coach Klint Kubiak and defensive coordinator Rob Leonard without a true gap-filler in the middle of the defensive line.

Luckily, this year’s draft class has a handful of quality options at nose tackle, all of whom should be in range with the 36th pick or later. So, let’s dive into the top five prospects at the position. All draft projections below are via NFL Mock Draft Database’s consensus big board and as of March 30.

1. Kayden McDonald, Ohio State Draft projection: 29th overall 2025 Stats : 65 tackles, 9 TFLs, 3 sacks (14 games) McDonald, who reportedly is visiting the Raiders, rose to prominence this season, in part because he led all FBS defensive tackles with a 91. 2 run defense grade from Pro Football Focus .

He’s a force in the running game whose technique steadily rose as he gained more experience throughout the campaign. But what sets the 21-year-old apart from the rest of the pack is that he showed some impressive athleticism and quickness for his size to become a serviceable pass-rusher with more development down the line. Textbook 2-gap technique from Kayden McDonald -Stands up the C and wins at the POA to reset the LOS -Shows color in 1 A-gap and reads RB -Has control of the block and crosses C's face to take away the other A-gap -Sheds and makes the tackle #NFLDraft2026 pic.