Will McDonald

Will McDonald

26-Year-Old Defensive EndDE
New York Jets
2025 Fantasy Outlook
McDonald broke out with 10.5 sacks in 2024 after posting only 3.0 sacks as a rookie. He's already an excellent pass rusher, but the 2023 first-round pick out of Iowa State needs to beef up his run defense to earn a consistent three-down role. McDonald, who is listed at 6-4 and 236 pounds, reportedly added 15 pounds of muscle in the offseason to alleviate concerns of being undersized for a defensive end. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
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Signed a four-year, $16.32 million contract with the Jets in July of 2023.
Two sacks in loss
DENew York Jets
September 9, 2025
McDonald recorded three total tackles (two solo), including 2.0 sacks, in Sunday's 34-32 loss to the Steelers.
ANALYSIS
McDonald started off his season with a bang, bringing down quarterback Aaron Rodgers twice in New York's loss. The defensive end compiled 10.5 sacks in 2024 while playing all 17 regular-season games with the team, and he'll have a strong chance at beating that number in 2025 if he can build off of his Week 1 performance.
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2025 NFL Game Log
2025
2024
2023
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
Snap %
New York JetsJets 2025 DE Snap Distribution
#% of Team Snaps

4889%
3056%
2852%
713%
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2025 Will McDonald Split Stats
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Measurables Review View College Player Page
How do Will McDonald's measurables compare to other defensive ends?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
* The 40-Yard Dash, Shuttle Time, and Cone Drill metrics are from his Pro Day. All others are from the NFL Combine.
Height
6' 4"
 
Weight
251 lbs
 
40-Yard Dash*
4.69 sec
 
Shuttle Time*
4.22 sec
 
Cone Drill*
6.85 sec
 
Vertical Jump
36.0 in
 
Broad Jump
132 in
 
Bench Press
0 reps
 
Hand Length
9.50 in
 
Arm Length
34.88 in
 
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Will McDonald See More
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Will McDonald See More
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2024
2023
McDonald was brought along slowly in his rookie year after being drafted 15th overall in 2023, posting 3.0 sacks in a part-time role. The speedy pass rusher is expected to see an uptick in playing time in his second NFL season, though McDonald's slender 241-pound frame suggests he could struggle in run support and is thus best suited for a situational role.
McDonald was drafted 15th overall by the Jets in 2023, joining a deep defensive end rotation that also features Carl Lawson, John Franklin-Myers and 2022 first-round pick Jermaine Johnson. While McDonald could struggle in run support at just 240 pounds, he was a productive pass rusher at Iowa State, racking up 33.5 sacks over the past three years.
More Fantasy News
Absent from first injury report
DENew York Jets
September 3, 2025
McDonald (knee) isn't included on Wednesday's injury report, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com report.
ANALYSIS
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Dealing with knee issue
DENew York Jets
Knee
August 16, 2025
McDonald didn't play in Saturday's preseason game against the Giants due to a knee injury, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
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Logs one tackle in preseason win
DENew York Jets
August 10, 2025
McDonald (back spasms) tallied one tackle during Saturday's 30-10 preseason win over the Packers.
ANALYSIS
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Leaves practice early
DENew York Jets
Back
August 5, 2025
McDonald (back spasms) left practice early Tuesday, Andy Vasquez of The Bergen Record reports.
ANALYSIS
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Puts on weight
DENew York Jets
May 21, 2025
Head coach Aaron Glenn told reporters Wednesday that McDonald added 15 pounds of muscle in the offseason, Connor Hughes of SNY.tv reports.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Added 15 pounds in offseason
DENew York Jets
May 22, 2025
McDonald added 15 pounds of muscle to his frame in the offseason, per Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic.
ANALYSIS
The biggest knock on McDonald coming out of Iowa State was that he's undersized, and the added muscle could help improve his ability to defend the run. McDonald, who was previously listed at 251 pounds, had 10.5 sacks in 2024. Rounding out his skill set to complement his pass rushing prowess could help the 2023 first-round pick excel in a three-down role moving forward rather than thriving only in obvious passing situations.
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