The 2023 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the Will McDonald IV 2023 NFL Draft Profile.
Position: Edge Rusher
School: Iowa State
Size: 6-foot-4, 245 pounds
Class: Redshirt Senior
2022 Stats: 36 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 4 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery
McDonald IV gained a lot of experience and was a steady pass rusher at Iowa State. He is now in the 2023 NFL Draft.
As a three-star high school prospect out of Wisconsin, McDonald IV signed with Iowa State. He played in four games but redshirted in 2018. In 2019, he split time between linebacker and defensive end, finishing the season with six sacks. He was named First Team All-Big 12 in 2020, finishing the season with 13 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks. Iowa State won nine games including the Fiesta Bowl that season. McDonald IV had another great season that earned him some All-American honors in 2021 with 13 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks. The Cyclones won seven games in 2021 behind McDonald IV’s good play. In 2022, McDonald IV saw a dip in production with 7.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. Iowa State also suffered, winning just five games in 2022.
Following five years in college, McDonald IV has entered the 2023 NFL Draft. He is a projected mid-round pick.
While he isn’t the biggest edge rusher, McDonald does have great length for the position. His length has been measured and he knows how to use his arms to help him shed. He could be more consistent using his length, but NFL evaluators will see him as a prospect that can be molded into something greater than he is now.
McDonald IV has great sack production over his college career and wins with his athleticism. He has a quick first step and shows good straight-line mobility to put opposing offensive linemen in a reactionary mode. McDonald IV also shows good flexibility to bend around the edge to sack the quarterback, which makes his speed even more impressive.
His motor is one of the best facets of his game and could really help his development as a pro. He doesn’t stop when his initial rush is stopped as a pass rusher, but keeps going. Against the run, he shows an effort to track down ball carriers downfield. He was sometimes played as part of a three-man line and showed a great effort even though he was playing out of position and was outmatched physically.
McDonald IV is a smaller prospect for an edge rusher. He falls below the average for the position at 6-foot-4 and 245 pounds. With his smaller stature, comes a lack of strength. He can get pushed off his spot and struggles to shed. McDonald IV will need to add strength to be an every down player in the NFL.
His lack of strength really hurts him against the run. McDonald IV struggles to shed and make plays on the ball. He can get pushed off his spot, which allows offenses to get bigger holes for their running backs. Adding strength will help, but McDonald IV can also work on using his length to be more consistent in his shedding.
Most of the time McDonald IV wins as a pass rusher because of his athleticism and motor. He has a few pass-rush moves, including a nice spin move, but needs to add more to his game. Doing that and having a better pass-rush plan could make him more productive.
Projected Draft Range: Third Round Pick-Fifth Round Pick
Draft Grade: Third-Round Pick
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