IR
Injury Knee
Est. Return 2/9/2026
2024 Defense Stats
TCKL
30
SACKS
8.0
INT
0
FF
0
TD
0
2025 Projections
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
Heading to IR
The Jets placed McDonald (knee) on injured reserve Friday, Susanna Weir of the Jets' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
McDonald was unable to practice all week after suffering a knee injury in the Jets' Week 16 loss to the Saints. The 26-year-old's move to IR ensures he is done for the season, likely giving Braiden McGregor more reps in McDonald's place. The third-year pro accounted for 30 tackles (19 solo), including 8.0 sacks, in 15 games played.
McDonald was unable to practice all week after suffering a knee injury in the Jets' Week 16 loss to the Saints. The 26-year-old's move to IR ensures he is done for the season, likely giving Braiden McGregor more reps in McDonald's place. The third-year pro accounted for 30 tackles (19 solo), including 8.0 sacks, in 15 games played.
NFL Stats
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2025
2024
2023
2024 NFL Game Log
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
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2024 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
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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
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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No tackles in Week 12 loss
McDonald registered zero tackles during the Jets' 23-10 loss to the Ravens on Sunday.
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.