Will McDonald IV: Grading the Jets No. 15 NFL draft pick

The New York Jets probably wanted to get an offensive tackle for their new quarterback but Will McDonald IV is still a nice selection in the 2023 NFL draft. 

The NFL draft board doesn’t always work out the way that you want and that was clear for the New York Jets on Thursday night in the first round.

New York dropped back to No. 15 overall as part of the trade for Aaron Rodgers, the four-time MVP and it cost them a shot to get one of the top three offensive tackles.

There was a run on tackles. However, the Jets had a backup plan and still wound up with a really good player in Iowa State EDGE Will McDonald IV. Here’s our grade:

Grading Will McDonald IV to the Jets with No. 11 pick in the 2023 NFL draft

The first round of the NFL draft is about getting EDGE rushers and elite linemen, at least in my opinion, and of course, if you already have a quarterback.

The Jets got their QB in Aaron Rodgers and even though they didn’t land the offensive tackle they wanted, getting an elite pass rusher is the next best thing and Will McDonald IV is just that. Elite.

McDonald had two double-digit sack seasons at Iowa State, as well as four total seasons with at least five sacks. He had 34 sacks total and 40 tackles for loss, plus a ridiculous 10 forced fumbles and seven passes batted down.

Head coach Robert Saleh is going to love his guy and so will Jets fans. Who won’t love him are Josh Allen, Tua, and Mac Jones. New York made the best of a bad situation.

Grade: A-