Charles McDonald

NFL writer

Charles McDonald is an NFL writer for Yahoo Sports. He previously reported for the New York Daily News among other outlets and hosts a podcast called The Exempt List. Follow Charles on Twitter @FourVerts.

Yahoo Sports
Top five available free agents, takeaways from Giants and Jets OTAs
Yahoo Sports' Jori Epstein and Charles McDonald give their biggest takeaways from witnessing New York Jets and New York Giants OTAs before diving in to Charles' top five available free agents and their ideal landing spots.
3d ago
Yahoo Sports
Giants' Kayvon Thibodeaux has big plans, and right now that requires focusing on the small stuff
The second-year pass rusher is drilling down on how to raise his sack total, habits that could help him achieve a big NFL goal down the line.
4d ago
Yahoo Sports
NFL: 5 unsigned free agents who can still help your team
The dust has long settled on the NFL's 2023 free agency frenzy, but a couple of skill players who spent the past few years in the NFC East highlight the talent that's still available.
11d ago
Yahoo Sports
Second-year breakout candidates, Joe Burrow's looming contract extension
Charles Robinson and Charles McDonald kick things off by analyzing the latest reporting around the looming contract extension for Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow, who has indicated he may be willing to take a more team-friendly deal like Patrick Mahomes or Tom Brady. Burrow's comments are yet another sign that Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson's fully guaranteed contract was a complete outlier. They move on to discussing the new wave of investigations by the NFL into gambling policy violations. What needs to change about the current set of rules to ensure these violations don't continue? Next, the duo talk about the report that San Francisco 49ers QB Trey Lance has improved his throwing motion this offseason. Robinson points out that once these type of reports start coming out, it's usually a bad sign for the state of the quarterback's career. Later, Robinson and McDonald dive into second-year players who are primed for a breakout season, including Atlanta Falcons QB Desmond Ridder, Baltimore Ravens SAF Kyle Hamilton, Philadelphia Eagles DT Jordan Davis, New Orleans Saints CB Alontae Taylor and Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Rachaad White.
13d ago
Yahoo Sports
Jets must pay Quinnen Williams — and perform whatever salary cap gymnastics it takes — as Super Bowl-or-bust window opens
Making the numbers work isn't exactly straightforward, but the far, far bigger headache for the Jets would be losing such an integral player on their defense.
17d ago
Yahoo Sports
NFL: 5 second-year players ready to make a big leap in 2023
One quarterback in particular from the 2022 class stands out here, while a pair of first-round defenders could raise their NFL stature big-time too.
19d ago
Yahoo Sports
2023 NFL Draft takeaways, Lamar Jackson signs historic contract extension
Charles Robinson, Charles McDonald and Jori Epstein kick off the show by discussing Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson signing a record-breaking 5 year, $260M contract. Although the process was long and contentious, the Ravens and Jackson finally come to an agreement they can both be happy about. The group attempt to set expectations for the Ravens heading into 2023, as they must now attempt to build a better offense around their franchise quarterback. Next, the trio react to and give their key takeaways from the 2023 NFL Draft. Each host gives their favorite and least favorite draft classes and Charles Robinson discusses why Philadelphia Eagles GM Howie Roseman has received so much praise over the course of the draft. The group also discuss how the members of the All-Juice Team fared on draft day and which quarterback-team fits they like best.
a month ago
Yahoo Sports
2023 NFL Draft grades: Another strange draft for the San Francisco 49ers, but will it matter?
Here's how the 49ers fared, according to Yahoo Sports draft expert Charles McDonald.
a month ago
Yahoo Sports
NFL Draft grades: Seattle Seahawks continue building around Geno Smith
Here's how the Seattle Seahawks fared, according to Yahoo Sports draft expert Charles McDonald.
a month ago
Yahoo Sports
2023 NFL Draft grades: Los Angeles Rams made the most of a class without a first-round pick
Here's how the Rams fared, according to Yahoo Sports draft expert Charles McDonald.
a month ago
Yahoo Sports
NFL Draft grades: Tampa Bay Buccaneers move into next era with home run haul
Here's how the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fared, according to Yahoo Sports draft expert Charles McDonald.
a month ago
Yahoo Sports
NFL Draft grades: New Orleans Saints replenish talent, but not much else
Here's how the New Orleans Saints fared, according to Yahoo Sports draft expert Charles McDonald.
a month ago
Yahoo Sports
2023 NFL Draft grades: Arizona Cardinals hit home run thanks to shrewd maneuvering
Here's how the Cardinals fared, according to Yahoo Sports draft expert Charles McDonald.
a month ago
Yahoo Sports
NFL Draft grades: Carolina Panthers' class hinges entirely on Bryce Young
Here's how the Carolina Panthers fared, according to Yahoo Sports draft expert Charles McDonald.
a month ago
Yahoo Sports
NFL Draft grades: Nobody did it better than the Steelers with their picks
It can credibly be said that they acquired four starter-level players with their first four picks.
a month ago
Yahoo Sports
NFL Draft grades: Atlanta Falcons' class could soar depending on Bijan Robinson
Here's how the Atlanta Falcons fared, according to Yahoo Sports draft expert Charles McDonald.
a month ago
Yahoo Sports
2023 NFL Draft grades: Los Angeles Chargers got an impact WR, but is that enough to move the needle?
Here's how the Chargers fared, according to Yahoo Sports draft expert Charles McDonald.
a month ago
Yahoo Sports
NFL Draft grades: Washington Commanders didn't move the needle on their 2023 season
Here's how the Washington Commanders fared, according to Yahoo Sports draft expert Charles McDonald.
a month ago
Yahoo Sports
2023 NFL Draft grades: Browns had limited capital, but used it appropriately on Siaki Ika
The Browns desperately needed to get better against the run this offseason and this draft pick will go a long way with that.
a month ago
Yahoo Sports
2023 NFL Draft grades: Las Vegas Raiders put together a smart draft outside of one head-scratching pick
Here's how the Raiders fared, according to Yahoo Sports draft expert Charles McDonald.
a month ago