Missouri’s Chris McClellan can beef up Las Vegas Raiders’ defensive line in 2026 NFL draft

Additionally, while McClellan is still a work in progress as a pass-rusher, he has shown potential in that department by recording a career-high six sacks in 2025. He also had 21 pressures and a 73.2 PFF pass-rush grade, which were good enough to finish tied for 10th and fourth, respectively, at his position in the conference.

So, let’s flip on the tape and see what the former Tiger could bring to Las Vegas.

Missouri was primarily an even front team, so McClellan is more of a projection as a nose tackle in the base 3-4 defense the Raiders are planning on pivoting to this season. For context, he only lined up in the A-gap on 143 of 1,573 career snaps (9.1 percent) in college, per PFF, and that includes two years at Florida as well. But the former Gator has the size and traits to line up at nose tackle, with the clip above serving as an example.

He’s at the 3-tech spot in the Tigers’ under front as Texas A&M runs inside zone to the weakside of the formation, putting him on the frontside of the play call. While McClellan technically isn’t two-gapping since the WILL linebacker can account for the weakside A-gap, he plays with a similar technique as if he’s responsible for the A- and B-gaps.

At the point of attack, he’s quick to get his hands up and takes on the block with a wide base, allowing him to stand up and control the right guard. Then, the defensive tackle gets square on the guard and takes a peek into the A-gap to discourage the running back from attacking the interior rushing lane. When the back bounces outside, that’s where McClellan’s strength and length (34-inch arms) come into play, as he escapes the guard’s block to make the tackle right at the line of scrimmage.

We’re getting closer to playing nose tackle, as this is one of the few reps the Missouri product had in the A-gap. Granted, he still isn’t lined up over the center and is in a 2i-technique, shaded on the guard, but that makes this play even more impressive.

Since McClellan is aligned on the left guard’s inside shoulder, his initial read or the offensive lineman he attacks first post-snap is the guard. However, since Oklahoma is running power to the other side of the formation, the guard pulls and vacates the area while the center down blocks on the backside defensive tackle. So, McClellan has to make a quick read and redirect his attention from the guard to the center.

The defensive lineman executes the assignment, shifting his hands to take on the down block. Then, his strength and length show up again, getting plenty of extension on the block and resetting the line of scrimmage to penetrate the backfield. Combined with the edge defender doing an excellent job of taking on the puller, the run is effectively stuffed and the running back has to dance in the backfield.

Now, McClellan can do a better job of disengaging from the center to make a TFL here, and he nearly overpursues the back. That turns a negative play into a positive gain for the offense. However, McClellan manages to escape enough to still get involved in the tackle a few yards past the line of scrimmage. So, there is some room for improvement on this rep, but that’s getting into nitpicky territory.

To be clear, the former Tiger is inconsistent with his pad level, which causes him issues against combo blocks or double teams. That’s going to be one of his biggest areas of improvement in the NFL, especially if he plays more nose tackle. But here’s an example of how effective he can be when he keeps his pads down, allowing the size and strength to shine.

This time, Missouri is in an over front, putting McClellan as the strongside 3-technique and on the playside of Oklahoma’s inverted option. The Sooners’ offensive line is executing a quarterback power call, where the left tackle and left guard combo block the 3-tech before working up to the second level to help create a rushing lane in the C-gap.

However, McClellan does a great job of staying low and maintaining a wide base to hold his ground and avoid getting washed inside, keeping the rushing lane narrow. Then, when the left tackle goes to block the linebacker, the defender is left one-on-one with the guard. So, when the quarterback tries to cut backside, McClellan wins the solo matchup by escaping the block to make another tackle at the line of scrimmage.

Again, he needs to be more consistent in this area to be an effective nose tackle, but a rep like this one is certainly encouraging.

As the numbers above suggest, McClellan has upside as a pass-rusher, too. That’s likely a big part of the reason John Spytek is interested in him over other Day 3 interior defensive line prospects, as the 2025 second-team All-SEC performer showed off an impressive arm-over move that he can win with.

Lined up as a 2i-technique with his outside foot back in his stance and inside hand on the ground, McClellan initially reads and attacks the guard. But with the center turning left in the pass protection call, the guard helps the tackle secure the edge. That forces the defensive tackle to shift his attention to the center. Luckily, he at least gets a one-on-one opportunity.

With the center using an aggressive pass set, leaning forward to attack the pass-rusher and make the first significant contact, McClellan does a great job of countering by getting his inside hand on the center’s back shoulder. That allows him to use the blocker’s momentum against the blocker, pulling that shoulder down to get the blocker off-balance.

Then, the big man shows off some impressive lateral movement skills, going from one A-gap to the other. Finally, he uses his outside arm to get the center’s hand off his chest and finish with a clean win for a sack.

On top of the swim move, the former Tiger is also a solid power rusher. He does need to do a better job of keeping his hands tight and getting them up faster to prevent offensive linemen from getting to his chest, but his size and strength are assets when it comes to collapsing the pocket.

McClellan gets another one-on-one opportunity here, going up against the guard as a 3-technique. Post-snap, he is a little late with the hands, allowing the guard to make the first contact. However, McClellan does a good job of using his outside arm to knock the guard’s hand down and reset his hands to get them inside the guard’s and recover. Simultaneously, he keeps his feet moving through contact, preventing the offensive lineman from anchoring and helping push the pocket.

With McClellan winning at the point of attack, he can read the quarterback and get on an edge to escape the block. That puts him right in the quarterback’s lap on the pass attempt, leading to an inaccurate throw for an incompletion.

If the Raiders don’t land an interior defender on the first two days of the draft, look for the Missouri product to be one of their top targets on Saturday. His combination of size, strength and athleticism could be just what the front office is looking to add to the defensive line.