The New York Jets have made their selection in round one of the 2023 NFL Draft, which surprised fans. The Jets selected Iowa State edge rusher Will McDonald IV with the 15th overall pick. McDonald was not projected to be selected as early as he did, but the Jets have been very high on him since the beginning.
The Jets considered him the best pass rusher in the draft and made him their selection. Many were under the assumption that the team would select an offensive tackle, which was a glaring need, but McDonald was too good to pass up.
“We feel like he is one of the most dynamic, if not the most dynamic, pass rushers in this draft,” Jets general manager Joe Douglas said.
Douglas also added that his display of production and athleticism at the Senior Bowl and throughout his college career was impressive.
Will McDonald IV did not start playing football until his junior year of high school in 2016, he was an accomplished basketball player and track athlete. He became an All-State player his senior year. He had a very successful college career for Iowa State, racking up 34 sacks including 11.5 in 2021. He also had 10 forced fumbles.
The Jets are getting a guy with a mixture of athleticism and quickness. Adding him to defensive front-seven, that already has Carl Lawson, John Franklin-Myers and Jermaine Johnson was a priority for the team. The defensve line added a playmaker to its already great unit.
Offensive Line Targets Had Been Taken - Jets Go DL with McDonald
The Jets were slated to select an offensive tackle, but as the first round went on and tackles were getting selected and the Steelers seemed to leapfrog them to select offensive tackle Broderick Jones, the Jets went with McDonald.
Will McDonald is very excited and when asked what his goal is for his career, he responded, "To make it to the Hall of Fame"
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