The 49ers’ pass rush was not the force many might have expected on Sunday in their 38-17 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
Though the 49ers forced five turnovers en route to victory, the miscues by the Raiders, for whom quarterback Kirk Cousins threw three interceptions, were not a product of overwhelming pressure from a defensive line boosted by the trade for DeForest Buckner.
Indeed, Cousins was only pressured 31.3% of the time, which was 24th heading into Sunday Night Football in Week 9 among all quarterbacks.
Not terrible, but not great for a team once again boasting Buckner’s prowess in that area and also getting Nick Bosa back from injury.
The somewhat underwhelming showing underlined why the 49ers may feel the need to add further to their defensive line before Tuesday’s trade deadline.
And an ideal target at the edge rusher spot has reportedly requested to be traded, according to NFL Network and ESPN’s Ian Rapoport.
Will McDonald IV projected as an outside pass rusher ideally suited to the wide 9 front often employed by the 49ers when he came out in 2023, a year in which San Francisco did not have a first-round pick.
With an athletic profile that checked all the boxes, explosiveness that was crystal clear on tape, a well-refined pass rush arsenal and positional versatility having often played essentially on the interior in Iowa State’s 3-3-5 front in college, it was hard to think of a prospect better suited to the 49ers in 2023, and he remains an excellent fit.
Despite the Jets’ continued struggles, McDonald has established himself as a consistently productive pass rusher. He has 24.5 sacks for his career, three of which have come this season as New York has slumped to a 2-7 start. McDonald had eight sacks last year and 10.5 in 2024.
Now McDonald, under contract through 2027, wants out of New York, with Rapoport stating that the 27-year-old is unhappy with his usage by the Jets having been utilized as more of a situational rusher this season.
Rapoport added that teams have called on McDonald but the Jets have not engaged in trade talks and do not plan to.
However, things can change quickly in the NFL, and the prospect of adding another talented pass rusher under contract for next season should compel the 49ers to test their resolve.
The season-ending ankle injury suffered by rookie defensive tackle Gracen Halton could potentially complicate matters when it comes to the 49ers adding further pieces up front.
But the acquisition of a player like McDonald would be a substantial boost to the edge rotation and enable the likes of Mykel Williams and Keion White to be used more frequently inside and help fill the void left by Halton’s injury.
Buckner was a smart, cost-effective addition by the 49ers, but their former 2016 first-round pick should not be the final piece of the puzzle up front. There is a clear need on the edge, and McDonald is the ideal man to fill it.
