Will McDonald IV enters Defensive Player of the Year territory in Jets win

Coming off a career-high three-sack performance, all eyes were on Jets edge-rusher Will McDonald IV to make an impact in Thursday night's game against the New England Patriots. He transcended expectations in his first career start. The 2023 first-round pick out of Iowa State made his presence known early on in Thursday night's matchup.

On the Patriots' first offensive snap, an unblocked McDonald hit QB Jacoby Brissett as he released the ball, forcing a panicked zero-yard completion. On the ensuing possession, McDonald unleashed an immaculate spin move on Patriots tackle Mike Onwenu and met teammate Michael Clemons in the backfield for the team's first sack of the night. The @nyjets meet at the QB for the sack #NEvsNYJ on Prime Video Also streaming on #NFLPlus pic.



twitter.com/0cacan76nk Then, a little while later, 34-yard pass interference call on CB D.J.

Reed late in the second quarter set the Patriots up on the Jets 25-yard-line. On first-and-10, Brissett rolled out to his right on a play-action and was immediately met once again by an unblocked McDonald, who brought him down for a solo sack. The Patriots were forced to settle for a field goal.

McDonald finished the first half with 1.5 sacks and three QB hits. He wasn't as involved in the second half of the contest, but added an extra half-sack to his tab in the waning minutes of the Jets' 24-3 victory.

McDonald's breakout season is coming at the perfect time for New York. The Jets have had severe problems at the edge-rusher position three weeks into the season. They're actively battling a holdout by Pro Bowler Haason Reddick, who they traded a third-round pick for earlier this off-season and they also lost their 2022 first-round pick Jermaine Johnson II to an Achilles injury in their Week 2 win over the Tennessee Titans.

With five sacks in his last two games, McDonald is looking like an early candidate for Defensive Player of the Year. McDonald will look to continue his electric start when New York hosts the Denver Broncos in Week 4..