2023 NFL Draft Player Profiles: Iowa State EDGE Will McDonald IV

From now until the 2023 NFL Draft takes place, we hope to scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top 10 picks, all the way down to Day 3 selections and priority undrafted free agents. Today I’ll be profiling Iowa State Edge Will McDonald IV.

#9 WILL MCDONALD IV, EDGE, IOWA STATE (SR.) 6030, 236 LBS.

Senior Bowl

MEASUREMENTS

— Long armed, athletic defender that can make tackles downfield
— Uses more agility as opposed to strength in his rush moves
— Has the ability to run ball carriers down, down the field
— Long arms help him to reach around when running the circle around tackles, and strip the football loose
— Has great first step when getting off the football
— Uses two hand swipe well when rounding the edge
— Smooth strider when running vertically
— Uses great initial hand placement when making contact on pass rush

— Blocked easily as he lacks the ability to shed blocks
— Lacks overall strength at the point of attack
— Didn’t show a lot of versatility as he mainly played in a tight five/four in a three-man rush
— Gets washed down the line easily being lighter for his position
— Doesn’t have the speed you seek in a guy for his weight
— Needs to develop the ability to get his long arms in passing lanes when rushing
— Lacks that hot motor you like to see in any edge defender
— Doesn’t have a large collection of pass rush moves as he typically wins with Hand fighting
— Poor instincts when it comes to locating the football as he spends a lot of time off the snap with his head down

— Born June 4th 1999 (age 23)
— Liberal Studies Major
— Rated three-star recruit by all major sites
— Ranked top five player in Wisconsin by all major sites
— Was ranked no.