Jets 2025 Position Breakdown: Can Will McDonald build on a strong 2024 campaign?

Yahoo

a day ago

Heading into the 2025 season, the Jets have made a series of moves to improve the state of their roster and overall depth, but are they ready to compete for a playoff spot?
In this series, we'll break down the depth chart for every position group. This time, we'll go in-depth at the edge defender position…
Projected depth chart
Starters: Will McDonald, Jermaine Johnson
Backups: Micheal Clemons, Eric Watts, Braiden McGregor, Rashad Weaver, Tyler Baron
Key additions/losses: Haason Reddick departed via free agency, Baron drafted in the fifth round, Weaver signed as a free agent
Top Performers in 2024: McDonald 17 games played, 15 games started, 28 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss and 24 quarterback hits
2024 ranking via PFF: McDonald was 27th in pass rush grade and 13th in total pressures for defensive ends
What Jets' edge defenders have going for them
On paper, the Jets potentially have one of the best young defensive end duos in the NFL, with Johnson having been to the Pro Bowl in 2023 and McDonald posting double-digit sacks in a breakout 2024 campaign. However, not everyone is convinced. Johnson missed nearly all of last season after suffering a torn Achilles in the opener and McDonald needs to prove he can be a more complete player.
Advertisement
Over the course of last season, McDonald's consistency against the run noticeably improved as the team's run defense overcame early struggles to end up with the fifth-lowest yards per carry average in the NFL -- with McDonald playing a three-down role. However, it was with his constant pressure off the edge that he made his mark.
The team has a lot of unproven depth, although they have plenty of youth and athleticism on their bench. Clemons, who started all 17 games last season, could be the primary reserve.
Key concern: How will Johnson perform coming off a serious injury?
Johnson went to the Pro Bowl in his second season and appeared to be well on the way to becoming one of the league's best young edge defenders and primed for a big 2024 campaign before his injury. He racked up 55 tackles, 7.5 sacks and seven passes defensed in 2023, while also returning an interception for a touchdown.
Advertisement
By all accounts, his rehab is going well, although he has not yet participated in on-field activities during the offseason. Overcoming an Achilles tendon injury is a tall order, especially at the defensive end position where you need to display burst and explosiveness -- which can be compromised by this kind of injury.
Although the Jets already picked up Johnson's fifth-year option for next season, he needs a big year to put himself in line for a big-money extension.
Player who must step up: Clemons
Clemons was expected to be a backup last season, with Johnson and Reddick the projected starters. Johnson's injury and Reddick's holdout meant that he began the year as a starter. And he remained there all season, even when Reddick returned.
Advertisement
Having racked up a career-high 4.5 sacks in the first nine games, Clemons was well on his way to a breakout campaign. However, once Reddick returned, he saw fewer opportunities to rush the passer and only had two quarterback hits and no sacks in the last eight games.
Clemons' most important role is as a run defender, and his play in that area was also less consistent than it had been during his first two seasons. The hope will be that moving him back into a rotational role will mitigate some of his flaws. It will be interesting to see if the Jets' new defensive coaches see him as a fit for their system as he enters the final year of his rookie deal.
Biggest camp battle: Watts vs. McGregor vs. Weaver vs. Baron
As noted, the Jets don't have much in the way of experience on their bench at this position, so there should be a healthy competition for playing time between some of the younger players.
Advertisement
Of the four, Weaver is the most experienced as he enters his fifth season. He had 5.5 sacks in 2022 but has no sacks in any of his other three seasons, so he should probably be viewed as a reclamation project. He has been performing well during organized team activities, though.
McGregor and Watts both cracked the rotation last season as undrafted rookies, with Watts in particular showing growth over the course of the season, especially against the run. The rookie Baron was brought in by the new regime, though, so he could have a shot at getting on the field early on.
Overall 2025 outlook
The Jets will hope for McDonald to build on last season's performance and for Johnson to be back to something like his best after last year's injury, but there is a lot of uncertainty at this position.
Advertisement
Unless someone steps up unexpectedly, the depth here is also a concern, especially if the backups are called on to play more than expected with Johnson still not back to 100 percent.
But there is plenty of upside in this group, so it will be down to head coach Aaron Glenn and defensive coordinator Steve Wilks to get the most out of their personnel.