NY Jets’ Will McDonald still poised for breakout after Reddick trade

New York Jets fans should remain high on Will McDonald’s future

One year ago, the New York Jets selected Will McDonald with the 15th overall pick. He proceeded to only play 19% of the Jets’ defensive snaps in his rookie year.

Bryce Huff’s exit seemed to pave the way for McDonald to see more snaps in his second season. But now that the Jets have replaced Huff with Haason Reddick – who plays even more snaps than Huff – McDonald could find himself in a limited role once again.

That shouldn’t affect Jets fans’ optimism about McDonald’s ability to contribute both in 2024 and in the future.

I was not a big fan of the pick at the time, as their were multiple WRs on the board who I thought were better fits. However, McDonald flashed tremendous signs of potential in his limited work as a rookie.

On just 99 pass-rush snaps, McDonald recorded 12 total pressures and four sacks (two full, two half). His 4.0% sack rate placed fourth-best among 132 edge rushers with at least 90 pass-rush snaps. In addition, his 12.1% pressure rate was 50th and his 16.0% pass-rush win rate was 23rd.

While it is an extremely small sample size, McDonald was effective when given the chance. And his film backs it up. After looking into McDonald’s film, I think Jets fans should remain optimistic about his future with the team.

Will McDonald film review

When you watch McDonald’s film from college, it was clear the vision the Jets had for him. Iowa State used McDonald a lot inside, but this wasn’t the best fit for him. He projected as a wide-9 pass rusher for the Jets, which fits him better than playing inside like he did in college.

I went through McDonald’s film from college and the 2023 season in the wide-9 alignment that will continue to be his home in the Jets’ defense.

Iowa State film

The tackle is in a good position but McDonald uses a great rip move to get the outside. Most pass rushers would get washed out here, but McDonald has great bend and balance to get skinny and turn the corner for the sack.

Unbelievable balance and bend from McDonald here. When he gets around the edge with his speed move, the tackle gets hands on him, but McDonald still has the balance and speed to put his hand in the grass when he turns the corner and finishes the sack while getting held. Nice and-1.

Love the hesitation move from McDonald. From a wide-9 alignment, McDonald baits the tackle into thinking he’s using a power move, just to burst right by him on the hesi move. He then shows his elite ability to get skinny around the edge, and I love the nose for the ball as he forces the strip sack.

Another great rip move from McDonald. The tackle tries to wash him out but McDonald rips through and shows that elite bend he has to turn the corner and force the fumble on the QB. He consistently showed his elite bend and speed when Iowa State lined him up as a true EDGE.

2023 film

Did McDonald’s bend and speed translate to his limited snaps in the NFL? On some snaps, they certainly did.

Lined up in his best alignment (Wide-9) against beloved Bills player Dion Dawkins, I love the angle McDonald takes. He keeps distance until he rips past Dawkins, who tries to get hands on McDonald, but the rookie is too quick. McDonald almost loses balance turning the corner but he puts his hand in the ground to stay upright and not lose much speed around the corner, getting the QB hit and helping to force an incompletion.

McDonald also showed the ability to play the run well. His instincts are elite on this play as he reads that he is going to be pinned but flies up field to negate that. He sees the toss play and finishes the TFL. Great burst and play recognition from the rookie.

Lastly, another run play where he shows an elite IQ for the game from preseason. McDonald quickly diagnoses the trap run play and shows great lateral quickness to defeat the pulling blocker coming towards him, blowing up the run. You love to see plays like this on tape where he uses his speed and agility combined with awareness.

I believe that with a larger snap count, Jets fans will see why Joe Douglas used the 15th overall pick on McDonald a year ago. I see the vision of the role that Douglas saw him in for the defense, and he is a great fit. He has all the ability to be a game wrecker across from Jermaine Johnson – he just needs the chance to play and show it.

Adding Haason Reddick makes things a bit different for McDonald’s potential playing time, but he will only learn and get better with Reddick in the D-line room. If given the right amount of snaps, McDonald could still be in for a breakout year in 2024.

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