2025 Defense Stats
TCKL
30
SACKS
8.0
INT
0
FF
0
TD
0
2026 Projections
Signed a four-year, $16.32 million contract with the Jets in July of 2023.
Gets fifth-year option picked up
The Jets picked up the fifth-year option on McDonald's (knee) rookie contract Wednesday, Eric Allen of the team's official site reports.
ANALYSIS
McDonald has tallied 18.5 sacks in 32 games over the last two seasons, so it comes as little surprise that the Jets have opted to keep him under their control through the end of the 2027 season. Even though the club recently used the second overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on defensive end David Bailey, McDonald figures to get about as much work as he can handle during the upcoming campaign.
McDonald has tallied 18.5 sacks in 32 games over the last two seasons, so it comes as little surprise that the Jets have opted to keep him under their control through the end of the 2027 season. Even though the club recently used the second overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on defensive end David Bailey, McDonald figures to get about as much work as he can handle during the upcoming campaign.
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2025 NFL Game Log
2025
2024
2023
2025 NFL Game Log
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
Snap %
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2025 Will McDonald Split Stats
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Measurables Review
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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 lbs40-Yard Dash*
4.69 secShuttle Time*
4.22 secCone Drill*
6.85 secVertical Jump
36.0 inBroad Jump
132 inBench Press
0 repsHand Length
9.50 inArm Length
34.88 in
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2025
2024
2023
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.
More Fantasy News
Likely getting fifth-year option
Jets GM Darren Mougey said Monday that he expects McDonald (knee) to have his fifth-year option picked up, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
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Heading to IR
The Jets placed McDonald (knee) on injured reserve Friday, Susanna Weir of the Jets' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
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Out for Sunday
McDonald (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Patriots.
ANALYSIS
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Dealing with knee injury
McDonald (knee) did not practice Wednesday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Full participant Thursday
McDonald (ankle) was a full participant in practice Thursday.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Auditioning for fifth-year option
McDonald has had a down season and could be auditioning to have the fifth year on his rookie contract picked up, Rich Cimini of ESPN suggests.
ANALYSIS
McDonald had a breakout 2024 season, logging 10.5 sacks across 17 games. He's on pace to approach that mark and to set a new career high in tackles, so it seems likely that the Jets would want to secure him for the maximum his rookie contract allows. However, Cimini cites McDonald's falling pressure percentage, which has dipped from 16.3 to 11.7 percent, as a reason the team may not want to commit roughly $14.9 million to McDonald in 2027.
McDonald had a breakout 2024 season, logging 10.5 sacks across 17 games. He's on pace to approach that mark and to set a new career high in tackles, so it seems likely that the Jets would want to secure him for the maximum his rookie contract allows. However, Cimini cites McDonald's falling pressure percentage, which has dipped from 16.3 to 11.7 percent, as a reason the team may not want to commit roughly $14.9 million to McDonald in 2027.