Questionable
Injury Knee
Est. Return 5/1/2026
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.
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
McDonald missed the final two games of the 2025 campaign due to a knee issue, ending the year with 30 tackles (19 solo), including 8.0 sacks, across 15 regular-season appearances. If the fifth-year option on his rookie deal indeed is picked up by New York, McDonald will remain under contract with the Jets through the 2027 season.
McDonald missed the final two games of the 2025 campaign due to a knee issue, ending the year with 30 tackles (19 solo), including 8.0 sacks, across 15 regular-season appearances. If the fifth-year option on his rookie deal indeed is picked up by New York, McDonald will remain under contract with the Jets through the 2027 season.
NFL Stats
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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
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.
More Fantasy News
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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Limited due to ankle issue
McDonald (ankle) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday.
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.