Pro Football Focus ranked NFL defenders by pass-rush moves, and Will McDonald IV landed near the top in one category.
Not much went right for the New York Jets in 2024. The short-lived Aaron Rodgers era ended without so much as a winning season, and even New York’s most dependable players had somewhat of a regression year. There were a few bright spots on the roster, however, and one of them was the development of Will McDonald IV. Widely seen as a ‘reach’ by the Jets when he was selected 15th overall in the 2023 NFL draft, McDonald’s rookie year didn’t do much to silence the critics.
By the end of his second season, however, no one could doubt his impact on New York’s defense. McDonald had a breakout year that saw him tally 10.5 sacks, a vast improvement over his three rookie sacks, and a total of 28 tackles, doubling up on his rookie numbers. He proved he can win with an array of pass-rush moves, but there’s one facet of his game in particular where he’s better than almost anyone else in the league, Myles Garrett included.
John Kosko, an NFL analyst for Pro Football Focus, recently compiled a list of the highest-graded NFL defenders by pass-rush move, and McDonald landed at No. 3 for ‘play-action fit’. Kosko defines this category as follows: “Discipline as a pass rusher is vital in the modern game. Those who respect their role in fitting the run first when presented with run action before pursuing the passer will be tagged with the “play-action fit” category.”
That’s spot-on analysis. Some players are notorious for chasing sacks at the expense of defending against the run, but the best players remain disciplined and do what’s best for the team. That’s where McDonald excels. When defending on play-action in 2024, McDonald earned an elite PFF grade of 82.4 while winning 20.59% of his matchups and getting pressure 17.65% of the time, both of which were the best percentages in the NFL.
As Kosko pointed out, discipline is key for modern defensive ends, and McDonald is about as good as it gets in that regard. He’ll look to build on his breakout season in 2025. In an ideal world, an improved offense led by Justin Fields will help the defense reach its ceiling, as will an aggressive scheme from head coach Aaron Glenn. If all goes well, the Jets could very well end their 14-year playoff drought in a matter of months. Now that’s something that should get the fans excited.
Category: Football
