
Tale of the Tape
When I studied McDonald’s 2018 tape, I saw a few key attributes that make him special. The first attribute is his ability to gain extra yards after the catch. He is certainly fast enough to do this, but what stood out was his toughness: he is a tackle-breaking machine.
This first play shows McDonald's ability to read zone (he quickly settles down into the empty area and turns his head). More than that, it shows he can BREAK TACKLES. He has a hint of @tkelce to his game, where once he has the ball in his hands and a head of steam, look out. pic.twitter.com/Lali3dCeEj
— Kevin Scott (@KevinScottFF) July 9, 2019
What stands out to me there is his excellent balance through contact. He prepares for each hit by putting his body in position to absorb the contact and keep rumbling. Because of his contact balance, he stays upright and does not go down easily.
On many of his catches in the open field, it also stood out to me that he runs with the ball like a running back. He waits patiently for his blocks to develop, showing off excellent vision. He also uses quick footwork to get his body in the right position to hit a hole and get through it.
Here on this little designed screen, McDonald shows his chops as a ball carrier. Makes me wonder if he used to play running back. He shows great vision, patience, footwork, and power on this play. These are the traits that make him dangerous once he has the ball in his hands. pic.twitter.com/UFJUVniq6J
— Kevin Scott (@KevinScottFF) July 10, 2019
The Steelers used McDonald all over the formation as well. He lined up in line as a traditional tight end, in the slot, out wide, and even in the backfield. In the clip below, he is motioned into the backfield so the defense will think he is helping with blocking, then he turns into a receiver on a quick screen and takes it for a big gain. Watch the way he follows his blocks and quickly changes directions to get maximum yardage.
McDonald lines up in every conceivable spot for the #steelers. Here he is motioned into the backfield, making the defense think he will stay and protect Ben. Instead he fakes a block and quickly turns for the catch, and takes it for a big gain. Again, did he used to play RB? pic.twitter.com/b3mCt1OrpT
— Kevin Scott (@KevinScottFF) July 10, 2019
On this next play, McDonald is covered well on an important 3rd and 9, but Roethlisberger trusts him and throws it to his back shoulder anyway. McDonald shows off his excellent hands by catching it with only one hand, then he again shows his toughness by fighting for extra yards and maintaining his balance through contact.
This play shows McDonald covered well, but Ben trusts him and throws it to his back shoulder. McDonald catches it with one hand, showing off his excellent hands. With the defender right on him, he fights for extra yardage, continuing to show his toughness as a ball carrier. pic.twitter.com/bo5SkwB9n2
— Kevin Scott (@KevinScottFF) July 10, 2019
Finally, we can see McDonald’s quickness and ability to change direction on a dime on this next play. When he catches the ball he is in the vicinity of the defender, but he changes direction and accelerates immediately, enabling him to pick up a bunch more yards.
This next play shows his quickness and change-of-direction ability. If you pause it when McDonald catches the ball, you can see he should have been tackled. But he is able to quickly stop and restart in the opposite direction, leaving the defender tackling air. pic.twitter.com/Y9EwC8WZVL
— Kevin Scott (@KevinScottFF) July 10, 2019