Will McDonald Projected 8th Overall to Falcons
- Thread starter DrewCo
- Start date
I probably wouldn't have had him in a three point but maybe that was the best option for the team.
You can take Green Bay's defense. Their 3-4 always has an outside backer that basically just pins their ears back and blasts in. Even when they had a 4-3, they had KGB who would come in for 3rd downs and at times second down when it was probable pass plays or just to give a play or two rest. Edge rushers have been gaining more and more popularity every year.
Good article on the 49ers' SBNation site. https://www.ninersnation.com/2023/3/2/23621753/will-mcdonald-iowa-state-nfl-draft-49ers
I kinda feel like some of the people here complaining about how Will was “misused” should remember that he got a shot at linebacker—and wasn’t picking it up quickly enough, so went back to rush end/Leo.
If he went to the 49ers with Purdy I would become such a huge fan. I am a crappy Bears fan so it wouldn't be hard.
Those people wanted us to revamp the entire defense just to pad Will McDonald's stats.
Keep in mind too, that those complaining are sports commentators who look to produce content. I haven't seen anyone affiliated with a team make any such comment.
Exactly. It’s just random sports dork that didn’t understand that. Of course it would’ve been easier for Will to get sacks if he could just play on the edge with a 4 man front or as a 3-4 LB and limit his responsibilities so he can mainly just rush the QB.
But that isn’t “playing to his strengths”, that’s making his life really easy at the expense of the defense, and every NFL scout knows that.
9ers don't have a pick until the 3rd round, so it would be awesome to see them both on the same team, but seems unlikely Will hangs around long enough in the draft for that scenario to play out.
Man it would be nice to end that first round drought. You see McDonald show up on a few mocks. But not many. Tyree Wilson from TT is a consensus top 10. VanNess from hok never started a game there but he’s a mid to late first rounder
Todd McShay released his latest mock this morning. Has Will going to the Eagles at #30.
Let's double-dip on pass-rushers for the Eagles in Round 1 (they landed Van Ness at No. 10). It was one of the team's biggest strengths last season with an NFL-high 70 sacks, but Philly could use more depth there. Brandon Graham re-upped with the Eagles, but he's 34 years old. Robert Quinn might be out the door after the midseason acquisition last November.
With long arms and plenty of explosion, McDonald hunts quarterbacks. He picked up 27 sacks and 35.5 tackles for loss over the past three seasons and could be a Day 1 contributor as a rotational pass-rusher before developing into a starter off the edge to replace some of the aging players in this unit.
30. Philadelphia Eagles
Will McDonald IV, DE, Iowa StateLet's double-dip on pass-rushers for the Eagles in Round 1 (they landed Van Ness at No. 10). It was one of the team's biggest strengths last season with an NFL-high 70 sacks, but Philly could use more depth there. Brandon Graham re-upped with the Eagles, but he's 34 years old. Robert Quinn might be out the door after the midseason acquisition last November.
With long arms and plenty of explosion, McDonald hunts quarterbacks. He picked up 27 sacks and 35.5 tackles for loss over the past three seasons and could be a Day 1 contributor as a rotational pass-rusher before developing into a starter off the edge to replace some of the aging players in this unit.
It would be quite the coup if WMcD clears the bar into the first round.
I hope it happens.
I hope it happens.
Dane Brugler who I think is one of the better ones out their with his Player Rankings has Will McDonald going in 2nd Round at #36 to the Rams. Also FYI, he has Xavier Hutchinson going as the 1st Pick in the 4th Round to the Bears & Anthony Johnson going in the 7th Round to the Titans. Here is his Full Mock but you have to be an Athletic Subscriber.
Seems like it’s trending to Will being an early 2nd round pick which is great for him but kind of a kick to the stones again for breaking the 1st round drought.
Seven-round 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Eagles, Steelers load up on defense in forecast of all 259 picks
In all, 13 QBs, 30 WRs, 29 CBs and 34 pass rushers account for 41 percent of players selected
CBS has a 7 round mock out this morning as well. They have Will going in the second 39th overall, Xavier going in the 5th, 175th overall, Trevor Downing going in the 6th, 195th overall, and MJ Anderson going in the 7th, 229th overall.
Best case scenario for McDonald and us ending the drought is a BIG run on DE/OLB. NOt a ton of "need" according to PFF at the end of Round 1
If there is a big run before the late stages of next Thursday night, we could see a trade up from a team picking early in Round 2. Lots of teams in need of DL/LB at the start of Round 2.
If there is a big run before the late stages of next Thursday night, we could see a trade up from a team picking early in Round 2. Lots of teams in need of DL/LB at the start of Round 2.
