Jets second-year defensive end Will McDonald knows the task.
“I’ve got to get more sacks,” McDonald said after the Jets beat the Commanders 20-17 on Saturday. “I’ve got to get sacks. That’s the only thing on my mind. Just be that ballplayer every time I go out there and impact the game.”
Of all the Jets players not competing for a roster spot, there may be no one more committed to this training camp and preseason than McDonald.
The Jets selected him with the 15th overall pick in 2023, but that selection drew some discontent from fans who wanted an offensive lineman or wide receiver at the position.
McDonald didn’t play much as a rookie, but showed flashes of the ability that would have made him a first-round draft pick.
He finished the season with three sacks.
The departure of Bryce Huff to the Eagles in free agency and the Jets trading John Franklin-Myers to the Broncos created a void at edge rusher for McDonald to fill.
The team also traded for Haason Reddick to fill that void, but he’s been sidelined, giving McDonald more opportunities.
McDonald ran 12 plays Saturday and didn’t have a sack, but he did use his signature spin move to beat tackle Mason Brooks and then beat Commanders quarterback Jeff Driskel on one play.
McDonald ended up being penalized for pass roughing on the play, but it appeared to be a questionable call.
Officials said McDonald landed on top of Driskel with his full weight.
Though it ended up being a penalty, the play showcased just how explosive McDonald can be off the edge. He’s an athletic player with the ability to get around the edge.
The Jets wish he had put on more weight during the offseason, but McDonald said he’s gotten stronger.
“I’ve gotten bigger, stronger and faster,” McDonald said, “and my play recognition has improved. Last year I was a rookie and I was still trying to do what I needed to do, but I made sure I did what I needed to do this offseason.”
The question mark going into Year 2 for the Jets and McDonald is how much time he’ll see on the field. Jets coach Robert Saleh and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich like to employ a rotation on the defensive line.
Last season’s snap breakdown was Jermaine Johnson 66 percent, Franklin Myers 55 percent, Huff 42 percent, Michael Clemons 33 percent and McDonald 16 percent.
Johnson and Redick are expected to be the top two edge rushers this season, but can McDonald earn playing time to Huff’s level?
Many have said McDonald will take a big leap this season, and he just needs an opportunity.
“I don’t think I need a leap, I just need more opportunities,” McDonald said. “I’ve always been that type of player. Last year, we had a lot of good players on the team, but I didn’t get as many chances. But this year, I’m getting more chances and I want to take advantage of them. Everyone always tells me to take this leap or that, but I don’t think I needed to take a leap. First of all, I wasn’t a bad player. I just needed more opportunities to take advantage of them.”
The Jets travel to Charlotte, North Carolina this week and practice with the Panthers on Thursday before facing them in a preseason game on Saturday.
It’s set to be another big week for McDonald’s.
The Jets posted a video of his performance in a joint practice with the Commanders last week, highlighting his stellar play.
Now McDonald knows he needs to show that in games.
“It was cool, but it’s just practice,” McDonald said. “When it’s game time, you really have to give it your all. When it’s game time, you have to play your hardest.”
