McDonald is the rare Jets’ first-round draft pick operating in obscurity before his rookie season.
He says that he “doesn’t really need the attention,” but it sounds like he has a plan to steal some away from other sources.
McDonald is a possible starter at defensive end Thursday when the Jets open the preseason against the Browns in the Hall of Fame Game. Pay attention to the Browns’ first pass play because McDonald will be going for his first quarterback hit, after weeks of practicing under hands-off training-camp rules.“Hopefully, it will be the first thing that I do,” McDonald said, laughing. “That definitely is going to make me happy in a certain way as soon as I’m able to do that.
McDonald’s most likely role early in the season is as a pass-rush specialist, building on the 34 sacks accumulated in 48 career games at Iowa State. At least until he adds strength to his 6-foot-4, 236-pound frame to complement his first-step quickness and a spin move borrowed from Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby.
“I’m greatly improved since I got here up until now,” McDonald said. “Just trying to stay in that balance … putting a couple new things in my pass rush. Definitely the bull [rush], just to try to make myself better. Everything expected is for me to make plays and do what I need to do to help the team.”
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