The Colts should bet on Jets edge rusher Will McDonald IV’s upside and add him to their roster ahead of the trade deadline
The NFL trade deadline is quickly approaching. Teams have until 4 p.m. EST on Tuesday, Nov. 4, to finalize trades. The 6-1 Indianapolis Colts reportedly want to add a “proven defensive playmaker” to their roster. We’ve already shared realistic and home run swing targets for the team at CB and explored the ideas of the Colts […]
The NFL trade deadline is quickly approaching. Teams have until 4 p.m. EST on Tuesday, Nov. 4, to finalize trades. The 6-1 Indianapolis Colts reportedly want to add a “proven defensive playmaker” to their roster.
We’ve already shared realistic and home run swing targets for the team at CB and explored the ideas of the Colts trading for edge rushers such as Trey Hendrickson, Jaelan Phillips, and Carl Granderson. In this piece, we discuss the possibility of the team with the best record in the NFL, the 6-1 Colts, exploring a trade with the team with the worst record in the league, the 0-7 New York Jets. So let’s take a look at edge rusher Will McDonald IV and whether or not he should be viewed as a trade target for the Colts.
Will McDonald IV hasn’t been able to match the production from his breakout 2024 season this year
McDonald had a breakout year in 2024 with 61 pressures. This year, though, he hasn’t been nearly as productive, with 15 pressures in seven games — on pace for 36 in the season. The problem is that he is supposed to be a designated pass rusher, since his run defense ability is limited due to his smaller size and playing style. To be a valuable piece of the roster, he has to be able to affect the quarterback more frequently — and if he doesn’t before the deadline, the Jets might consider moving on from him for a lesser compensation.
Why would the Jets trade Will McDonald IV
It’s not a necessity, but it’s a big year for Will McDonald. It’s his third NFL season, so the Jets (or whichever team he goes to) have to make a decision on his fifth-year option next offseason — and now the option is fully guaranteed if exercised. While McDonald is an excellent pass rusher, he has clear weaknesses in his game, and the Jets are on a roster-building timeline where the main priority is to find building blocks, and the second one is to generate extra draft capital for the new management to create its own version of the team.
Why is Wil McDonald IV a good fit for the Colts to target ahead of the NFL trade deadline
After this season, the Colts will have only two players in their edge room who are still under contract. Laiatu Latu and the 2025 second-round pick JT Tuimoloau. And this season, they haven’t gotten enough out of their second starting edge spot, no matter who they try opposite of Latu. And not having a player who offenses respect as a pass rusher on that side has led teams to shade their offense away from Latu and impact his ability to get to the QB despite his excellent win rate this season.
I think McDonald IV would be a solid balance of betting on the future and improving the team’s pass rush right now. In 2024, he showed how strong a pass rusher he can be. Playing opposite Latu and having an interior disrupted like DeForest Buckner on the field could help him reach his full potential. If I were the Colts, I’d offer a conditional fourth-rounder that can become a third if a certain sack number is hit the rest of the season. The Jets get a chance at a day two pick, and the Colts add a high upside pass rusher as they look to make a deep playoff push this season. I think this makes sense for both sides.
How much would it cost for the Jets to trade Will McDonad IV
Connor Hughes from SNYtv reported that front offices around the league seem to be willing to give up a third-round pick for him. I still think that’s too little of a compensation for a player that has at least one and a half inexpensive seasons and is a productive player at a premium position. For a second-round pick, the Jets might very well consider a deal, but for less than that, it’s probably better to just keep him, even if the plan is not to exercise the option.
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