The Jets are very excited about adding more pass-rush to their defense with the selection of Iowa State edge Will McDonald. Not surprisingly, Jets general Joe Douglas gushed over the former Cyclone shortly after making the selection, saying McDonald is “a great fit” and “plays our style.”
Douglas also added that he believes McDonald is “one of the most dynamic, if not the most dynamic” edge rushers in the draft.
Joe Douglas says Will McDonald is "one of the most dynamic, if not the most dynamic" edge rushers in the draft. When asked if the Steelers trade-up changed their plans, Douglas said they were looking at a number of options but "we let the board come to us." #Jets
— Andy Vasquez (@andy_vasquez) April 28, 2023
Head coach Robert Saleh compared McDonald to Broncos edge Randy Gregory and Panthers edge Brian Burns.
Robert Saleh said he thinks Will McDonald compares favorably to Randy Gregory and Brian Burns. #Jets
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) April 28, 2023
If the Jets are able to get McDonald to that level, they can start making more noise on defense with McDonald joining a group that includes Carl Lawson, Bryce Huff, John Franklin-Myers and Micheal Clemons.
The Jets know they have some work to do with McDonald, but they aren’t concerned at all.
McDonald will have to work on run defense, learning power and leverage, per Saleh. Not concerned about that, Saleh says. #Jets
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) April 28, 2023
This was an easy decision for the Jets, said Saleh.
Saleh: "When you're sitting there at 15 and you feel like you've got your best pass rusher staring you in the face, it's an easy decision."
— Andy Vasquez (@andy_vasquez) April 28, 2023