Jets’ Will McDonald making most of possibilities he craves to earn greater position
Jets second-year defensive finish Will McDonald is aware of the task.
“Get extra sacks,” McDonald mentioned after the Jets beat the Commanders, 20-17, Saturday. “I’ve acquired to get some sacks. That’s the one factor that’s on my thoughts. Simply being that baller and impacting the sport each time I’m on the market.”
Of the gamers who are usually not combating for roster spots, there is probably not one other Jet who has extra driving on this coaching camp and preseason than McDonald.
The Jets took him with the No. 15 general choose in 2023, a choose that drew complaints from followers who wished an offensive lineman or broad receiver on the spot.
McDonald performed sparingly as a rookie however did present flashes of the flexibility that made him a first-round choose.
He completed the season with three sacks.
With Bryce Huff leaving for the Eagles in free company and the Jets buying and selling John Franklin-Myers to the Broncos, there’s a gap for an edge rusher that McDonald can fill.
The crew traded for Haason Reddick to assist fill that opening too, however he’s holding out, creating much more alternative for McDonald.
On Saturday, McDonald performed 12 snaps. He didn’t have a sack, however he did drill Commanders quarterback Jeff Driskel on one play after utilizing his signature spin transfer to beat sort out Mason Brooks.
McDonald ended up getting flagged on the play for roughing the passer, but it surely regarded like a questionable name.
The official mentioned McDonald landed on Driskel along with his full physique weight.
Regardless that it ended up in a penalty, the play confirmed simply how explosive McDonald will be off the sting. McDonald is an athletic freak with the flexibility to bend across the edge.
The Jets want he would have added extra weight to his body this offseason, however McDonald says he has gotten stronger.
“I’m greater, stronger, quicker,” McDonald mentioned. “I’m higher at play recognition. Final yr, I used to be a rookie. I nonetheless was attempting to do what I wanted to do, however this offseason, I made certain that I did what I must.”
The query coming into 12 months 2 for the Jets and McDonald is how a lot he’ll see the sphere. Jets coach Robert Saleh and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich like to make use of a rotation on the line of defense.
Final season, the breakdown of snaps went like this: Jermaine Johnson 66 p.c, Franklin-Myers 55 p.c, Huff 42 p.c, Micheal Clemons 33 p.c and McDonald 16 p.c.
Johnson and Reddick determine to be the highest two edge rushers this season, however can McDonald rise up to Huff’s degree of enjoying time?
Many have talked about McDonald making a leap this season. He feels he simply wants an opportunity.
“I don’t actually suppose I want a leap; I simply want some extra alternatives,” McDonald mentioned. “I’ve all the time been one of these participant. Final yr, we had a variety of good guys within the room, I simply wasn’t capable of get as a lot alternatives, however now this yr, I’m hoping to get these alternatives extra and simply benefit from these. Individuals all the time say leap this and leap that, I don’t actually suppose I wanted to take a leap as a result of for one, I wasn’t a nasty participant. I simply wanted extra alternatives so I may benefit from these.”
The Jets journey to Charlotte, N.C., this week for a joint follow Thursday with the Panthers earlier than enjoying them in a preseason sport on Saturday.
It will likely be one other large week for McDonald.
The Jets posted video of his efficiency in a joint follow in opposition to the Commanders final week, highlighting how effectively he performed.
McDonald now is aware of he wants to point out that in a sport.
“It was cool, however that’s follow,” McDonald mentioned. “In terms of sport time, that’s once you actually need to go loopy. When the sport comes, that’s when it’s important to be a baller.”
