A wild off-season dedicated toward securing a trade with the Green Bay Packers for quarterback Aaron Rodgers wound up producing a uneven opening two rounds of the NFL Draft for the New York Jets.

This is what happens when a team like Gang Green has to trade a first and second round pick to get a future Hall of Fame quarterback, and as a result, General Manager Joe Douglas was unable to truly match the magic he had a year ago in the draft.

The Jets selected defensive end Will McDonald IV with the 15th overall pick of the first round to mostly negative reaction from Jets fans, who were disappointed a left tackle didn’t fall to them.

The response was much more cordial in the second round as the Jets nabbed center Joe Tippmann from Wisconsin. A 6-foot-6 beast of a man, who fits an huge need in the middle of the Jets beleaguered offensive line. Let’s learn more below!

• Will McDonald - the Measurables and stats

  McDonald is a big man, who scouts say has a burst of speed from the outside. At 6-foot-3, 236 lbs, he is considered undersized, but plans to put on weight and muscle in the off-season. He is 23 years old.
  In four years at Iowa State, he racked up 34 career sacks, including 11.5 in 2021. He also had 11 forced fumbles. He’s impressive.

  What #Jets are getting in Will McDonald IV:
  
  -Burst off the ball, 90th percentile length + someone that has mastered outside speed rush with ability to dip and turn into the pocket
  
  Saleh on his draft call: 'we'll get you out of that 4i and get you in that wide 9'...good idea pic.twitter.com/r5Beu0qfIA

  — Connor Rogers (@ConnorJRogers) April 28, 2023

• Who is Will McDonald IV?

  Born and raised in Wisconsin, McDonald is a multi-sport athlete having excelled in basketball, track and football. Started playing football his junior year of high school. He once jumped over a car. This guy is a physical freak. Jets fans need to get over themselves.

  Welcome to the New York Jets Will McDonald IV 🔥🌪️💪 pic.twitter.com/rZtMlefjvz

  — 𝙅𝙀𝙏𝙎 𝙈𝙀𝘿𝙄𝘼🛫 (@NYJets_Media) April 28, 2023

• McDonlad Buddies with Breece Hall.

  McDonald joins his fellow Iowa State Cyclone Breece Hall, who burst onto the scene last year in New York.

  Will McDonald shares what it was like to see Breece Hall as part of the welcoming committee to the Jets:
  
  "It was a blessing to take the opportunity and be able to be with my boys" pic.twitter.com/dWcoLsbOoB

  — Jets Videos (@snyjets) April 28, 2023

• Joe Douglas loves McDonald

  Joe Douglas talks with @JeaneCoakley about what led the Jets to take Will McDonald in the first round, what he said to McDonald when he told him he was being drafted, drafting later in the first round, and the approach for days two and three: https://t.co/WXn3YYSXZ2 pic.twitter.com/QANkf8ubUi

  — Jets Videos (@snyjets) April 28, 2023

• Joe Tippmann "combo of size and power"

  Joe Tippmann, fills a huge need at center for the Jets. New York re-signed Connor McGovern to a one-year deal, but they need a long term answer. Tippmann might be that guy. He’s 6-foot-6, 317 lbs. and played ball in the Big Ten, which is not easy.

  A Baldy breakdown of Jets newest OL Joe Tippmann @BaldyNFL pic.twitter.com/xTWcKuqtou

  — Will Parkinson (@Willpa11) April 29, 2023

• Joe Tippmann is a cowboy?

  Tippmann was rocking the cowboy hat during a zoom call with reporters. He seems like a chill dude from Wisconsin, who can’t wait to play with Aaron Rodgers.

  Joe Tippmann shares the excitement he has to play with Aaron Rodgers: pic.twitter.com/YSsvoD3yW6

  — Jets Videos (@snyjets) April 29, 2023

• Tippmann bench press dazzels

  WOAH MAMA: new #Jets center Joe Tippmann (@JoeTippmann) is bringing that mullet strength to New York! He had 30 bench press reps of 225 pounds at his Pro Day 😳 🎥 @BadgerFootball #NFLDraft #TakeFlight pic.twitter.com/yldF6vX1L4

  — Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) April 29, 2023

• Tippmann already had a Jets connection

  Apparently Tippmann was once coached by former Jets left tackle Jason Fabini at high school in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

  Small world: Former longtime Jets tackle Jason Fabini, pictured here at Joe Tippmann’s draft party, coached the former Wisconsin standout at Bishop Dwenger HS in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Very cool. #Jets pic.twitter.com/ojNh6vAQtz

  — Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) April 29, 2023

• Jets Offensive Line is HUGE

  Check out the height of the Jets linemen. Now if they can stay healthy and be consistent.

  The Jets OL is MASSIVE 👀
  
  Mekhi Becton 6’7”
  Joe Tippmann 6’6”
  Duane Brown 6’4”
  Alijah Vera-Tucker 6’5”
  Connor McGovern 6’4”
  Max Mitchell 6’6”
  Laken Tomlinson 6’3”

  — J. Gray (@JGrayJets) April 29, 2023

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