With Aaron Glenn and Brian Duker now running the Jets’ defense, the Jets will be mixing in a lot of 3-4 fronts.
And this could really benefit fourth-year edge, Will McDonald.
McDonald, a 2023 first-round pick of the Jets, has been primarily a 4-3 end during his first three years with the team.
He’s been a solid pass rusher as a 4-3 end with 21.5 sacks over his first three years, but playing run defense was challenging for him at times, because at 6-4 and around 240 pounds, he’s a little undersized to set the edge.
But being a 3-4 outside linebacker, lined up a little wider than a conventional 4-3 end, he could be a perfect fit for that role.
He is built more like an outside linebacker than a defensive end.
And another job that comes with being a 3-4 outside linebacker is dropping into coverage more than a 4-3 end, and with his speed, quickness, and top-shelf athleticism, McDonald could really excel covering players in the flat.
McDonald might turn out to be a better fit for the Jets’ new defense than the two prior schemes he played in with the Jets, both 4-3 base fronts.
And this could be great timing for the player, who is entering what some perceive as a contract year.
The Jets did pick up his fifth-year option, which would keep him under contract next year, but if McDonald plays well this year, they would probably look to extend him long-term, instead of keeping him on the option, which is not cap-friendly.
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