New York Jets Need 2023 First-Round Pick to 'Add Power' After Free Agency Loss

The New York Jets have an opening in their edge rusher rotation due to the departure of Bryce Huff. Head coach Robert Saleh addressed second-year DE Will McDonald's potential to fill the hole.

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With New York Jets' edge rusher rotation in flux to some extent, there's an opportunity for 2023 first-round pick Will McDonald to become a regular.

First, the Jets watched Bryce Huff leave for the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency. Next, veteran Jadeveon Clowney reportedly completed a productive visit with New York but agreed to terms with the Carolina Panthers shortly thereafter.

While incumbent starters Jermaine Johnson and John Franklin-Myers return, there are a significant number of snaps up for grabs in the Jets' defensive ends' rotation. Huff, who initally established himself as a pass rush specialist, logged a career-high 480 defensive snaps over 17 games last year.

The natural replacement for Huff appears to be McDonald, who played sparingly as a rookie. The Iowa State edge rusher recorded 3.0 sacks over 184 reps, the bulk of which came on passing downs.

New York Jets v Buffalo Bills / Bryan Bennett/GettyImages

Although the quickness and get-off are visible, the 6-foot-4 McDonald has somewhat of a slender frame and has yet to produce the power needed to beat NFL offensive linemen.

"He's got to add a lot of strength and power. He's got to add power to his football game," said Jets' fourth-year head coach Robert Saleh.

The good news is that Saleh and Co. successfully developed Huff from an undrafted prospect into the team's sacks leader and presided over Johnson's breakout 2023 campaign as well.

The Jets would benefit if McDonald can replicate the Year 2 jump that Johnson experienced last year. After a constructive 2023 offseason, the 2022 first-round draft pick claimed a starting spot and registered 7.5 sacks as a sophomore. With Huff gone, the Jets appear to be banking on McDonald's breakthrough.

"He's got speed. He's got a counter move inside. When he learns to run through somebody's face, he's gonna become a three-way pass rusher. No one will be able to block him at that point," said Saleh.