Draft Profile: Will McDonald, EDGE, Iowa St.

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The 2023 NFL offseason is here and that means it’s time for mock drafts, draft profiles and everything that goes with them. So without further ado, here’s one of many Draft Profiles for the 2023 NFL draft.

Will McDonald, EDGE, Iowa St.

HT: 6’3
WT: 241 lbs

Accolades:

– Big 12 Co-Defensive Lineman of the Year (2021)
– 3× first-team All-Big 12 (2020–2022)

Video:

Pros:

– McDonald has a high motor and does a solid job setting the edge against the run.
– He has a lethal spin move and the pure speed to close quickly.
– Crazy athletic skills — Made Bruce Feldman’s ‘Freaks List’ at number 5. He wrote: “He’s an elite athlete who can do backflips standing still and has videos jumping over cars. All of that along with sacking the QB,” Cyclones coach Matt Campbell said of the 6-3, 236-pound edge rusher. Campbell expects McDonald will vertical-jump 42 or 43 inches when he goes to the combine and should broad jump around 11 feet.”
– He’s very instinctive when it comes to countering and solid with overall hand usage.
– He’s very good with his hands, a technician with the violence, quickness, and the long arms to ward off blockers. He has a great motor and enough creativity to make plays late in the down as a pass rusher.
– Challenges inside with quickness and strong hands. Run-and-chase defender who can leave a mark.
– He’s quick to react and locate the ball, and McDonald shows thespeed to succeed in backside pursuit. McDonald plays with excellent balance and a strong, flexible core, rarely ending up on the ground.

Cons:

– McDonald is so eager to get upfield that he far too often abandons responsibilities against the run.
– He lacks the speed of a chase and- tackle guy. He lacks the feet and flexibility to threaten around the edge.
– Often shows poor instincts when locating the ball against the run.

Summary:

In 2020 as a junior Will McDonald IV played in 12 games and contributed on 343 snaps. He recorded 10 tackles, 6 assists while making 17 stops. As a pass rusher, he produced 35 total pressures, which included 20 QB hurries, 6 QB hits, and an excellent 9 sacks on the year.

In 2021 as a senior McDonald IV logged playing time in 13 games and logged a total of 502 snaps for the Cyclones. He also added 17 tackles, 2 assists, and 25 stops. As a pass rusher, he tallied 45 total pressures, which included 24 QB hurries, 8 QB hits, and an outstanding 13 sacks on the season.

In 2022 as a fifth year senior McDonald IV logged playing time in 12 games and logged a total of 519 snaps for the Cyclones. He also added 27 tackles, 5 assists, and 24 stops. As a pass rusher, he tallied 25 total pressures, which included 16 QB hurries, 3 QB hits, and a solid 6 sacks on the season.

Information in this article first appeared on NFL Draft Buzz and is used with permission. Find the latest coverage, analysis, and player rankings for the 2023 NFL Draft at nfldraftbuzz.com

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