4 worst picks of the NFL Draft first round
By Reese Nasser
3. Will McDonald IV, DE New York Jets: Round 1, Pick 15
Throughout the 2022 season, the New York Jets had one of the NFL's more explosoive defensive units. Headlined by Quinnen Williams, there was talent and depth at each level.
With the defense that the Jets have assembled, many assumed that offense could be what they addressed in the first round. In newly acquired quarterback Aaron Rodgers, they now have one of the NFL's all-time greats leading the charge. Surrounding him with other options alongside Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard would have made sense, especially considering who was on the board.
With no wide receivers selected until pick 20, the Jets passed on several elite prospects. This includes Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who could have been reunited with Wilson. The addition of Smith-Njigba could have elevated this group even higher. But instead, they doubled down on the defensive side of the ball with the addition of Iowa State's Will McDonald IV.
McDonald put together an elite collegiate career at Iowa State, recording 40.5 tackles for loss, 34 sacks, and 10 forced fumbles. With his arrival, the Jets defensive front adds a player who could quickly carve out a role. But with the talent already assembled, there is an argument that this pick could have been handled differently.