Jets add to pass rush with Will McDonald IV selection at No. 15

The New York Jets selected Iowa State edge rusher Will McDonald IV in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, 15th overall.

The selection is New York's latest move to bolster its pass rush. The Iowa State product becomes the latest defensive player the Jets have taken in the first round after they selected Sauce Gardner and Jermaine Johnson in 2022.

McDonald joins a group that features John Franklin-Myers and Carl Lawson. The Jets have revamped their roster from last season, adding free-agent signing Quinton Jefferson and acquiring safety Chuck Clark.

"I'm just gonna try to get to the Hall of Fame," McDonald said after being drafted, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini. "I don't think I have a ceiling. I want to keep rising. I want to keep improving, 1% every day."

McDonald racked up 125 tackles, 40.5 tackles for loss, and 34 sacks during his collegiate career. The Iowa State product earned All-Big 12 Conference first-team honors in 2020 after piling up 10.5 sacks. He was named an all-conference member after tallying 36 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss in 2022.

Pre-draft profile

McDonald comes with a rare genetic makeup as he carries a ton of athleticism, but his gigantic wingspan from his nearly 35-inch arms is what makes him stand out. He puts those arms to good use, displaying a capable swipe-and-rip move, but there could be even more to add to his repertoire with some refinement. McDonald's length also helps him shed blocks in run defense. As a pure pass-rusher, he has the athleticism to flatten the edge, shows off a spin move to counter, and has a quick release off the line of scrimmage. Undoubtedly a high-ceiling player, the major concerns with his profile surround his undersized build and his struggles setting the edge at the point of attack. However, McDonald has the makings of a project worth working on.