Will McDonald continues to be a better pick than Broderick Jones after SNF breakout

With the NY Jets in need of an offensive lineman in the 2023 NFL Draft, many fans were livid with Joe Douglas after he allowed the Pittsburgh Steelers to trade one spot above him and take Georgia standout Broderick Jones. The Jets responded with Iowa State pass rusher Will McDonald.

In 2024, however, those who held all their McDonald stock are thriving. While Jones has performed so poorly many are wondering if his starting role is still secure, McDonald went from a rookie season bust to one of the best pure speed rushers in the AFC.

With Jermaine Johnson out for the year due to his Achilles injury, John Franklin-Myers and Bryce Huff both elsewhere, and Haason Reddick holding out, McDonald needed to step up immediately. Against Jones on Sunday Night Football, McDonald proved why he has been worth the investment.

McDonald, who has been in the Pittsburgh backfield quite often in this game, toasted Jones and picked up a sack of Russell Wilson. McDonald now has eight on the campaign, which is the most among defensive ends in the league and second in the NFL behind Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.

Will McDonald starring on SNF with sack after beating Broderick Jones

McDonald has helped the Jets squeak out a narrow 15-13 lead. The Douglas draft picks are doing it once again, as McDonald is putting constant pressure on Russell Wilson while Breece Hall shoulders the majority of the offensive load. Despite Wilson's touchdown, the defense has largely held up.

While McDonald has graded as a poor run defender, no one can question his ability to get after the quarterback. Games like this show that McDonald is making some serious improvements, as he is beating opponents with more than just pure speed or what has become his trademark spin move.

With Aaron Rodgers having another senior moment and letting Pittsburgh back in the game with an interception, it will be up to McDonald and the defense to keep Wilson at bay and leave Pittsburgh with a victory that re-establishes the Jets as a team who could make it to the playoffs.