NY Jets players are very happy about the Will McDonald pick

The NY Jets' decision to select Iowa State edge rusher Will McDonald with the 15th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft certainly caught many by surprise.

Widely seen as a fringe first-round talent, McDonald joins an already deep and talented defensive end room in New York. Many were quick to question the draft choice, but those inside the Jets' building seem to love it.

Of course, general manager Joe Douglas, head coach Robert Saleh, and the rest of the Jets' regime is clearly a fan of the former Iowa State standout, but his teammates seem to be as well.

Each of the Jets' top three cornerbacks tweeted out their stamp of approval for the McDonald pick. D.J. Reed even posted a video of his instant reaction to the draft selection, and it was certainly something.

Meanwhile, Sauce Gardner insisted that it's "a great feeling knowing your D-Line gon' get home." Michael Carter II cosigned Gardner's tweet with an endorsement of his own.

It hasn't just been defensive players, however. Jets running back Breece Hall is thrilled to be reunited with his former college teammate, and the two even shared a heartfelt embrace when McDonald arrived at One Jets Drive on Friday.

Will McDonald is an exciting addition to the NY Jets' defense

While it's fair to question the pick, and I most definitely have to this point, there's no denying that McDonald is an exciting addition to the Jets' defense — a defense that was already one of the best in football.

The NFL is a parring league, and the Jets have made it a very notable priority to make throwing against this defense as difficult as possible. They boast an elite cornerback room and one of the deepest defensive end groups in the league.

Teams already struggled to throw against the Jets last season. Now, they're adding an uber-talented top-15 edge rusher to their pass-rushing corps. It's easy to see why the Jets' cornerbacks are excited about that.

Even Jermaine Johnson, a player who might directly compete with McDonald for snaps, congratulated McDonald on his big night and offered a warm welcome to New York.

Fans might be questioning the pick. Some analysts might be scratching their heads. But when it comes to the Jets and their players, they couldn't be happier.

Will McDonald will be welcomed with open arms into the Jets' locker room, and if he starts sacking opposing quarterbacks on a regular basis, those critics will disappear in short order.