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
NFL Draft Round 1 Recap: 5 biggest fantasy storylines & instant draft grades
Matt Harmon and Charles McDonald breakdown the five biggest fantasy storylines from night one of the draft and provide instant draft grades and dynasty rookie rankings.
12h ago
Yahoo Sports
2024 NFL draft: First-round instant grades for all 32 picks
How did each team do with their first-round picks?
17h ago
Yahoo Sports Videos
Why Caleb Williams is a no-brainer No. 1 pick for the Bears | The Exempt List
Yahoo Sports NFL writer Charles McDonald is joined by Derrik Klassen to discuss the key takeaways from the USC quarterback’s draft profile and why Chicago may provide the best possible situation for him to succeed. Hear the full conversation on “The Exempt List with Charles McDonald” - part of the “Zero Blitz” podcast - and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.
3d ago
Yahoo Sports Videos
Should the Jets draft a QB in the 2024 NFL Draft? | Zero Blitz
Yahoo Sports NFL writer Charles McDonald is joined by Derrik Klassen to discuss what they think the New York Jets will do with the 10th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Hear the full conversation on “The Exempt List with Charles McDonald” - part of the “Zero Blitz” podcast - and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.
3d ago
Yahoo Sports
Four NFL Draft storylines to watch + final QB deep dive with Derrik Klassen | The Exempt List
Charles McDonald is joined by Derrik Klassen of Bleacher Report and Reception Perception to give their final thoughts ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft on storylines to watch and this fascinating quarterback class. The duo start off with the news that Zach Wilson has been traded to the Denver Broncos. Both agree this doesn't mean a lot for anyone except Ben DiNucci, but Charles asks if the New York Jets should consider drafting Aaron Rodgers' replacement at tenth overall (or later in the draft). There are 4-5 first round picks at quarterback this year, and Derrik has charted all of them. Charles and Derrik do a final deep dive on each of the top QBs, breaking down the strengths and weaknesses of Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, Michael Penix Jr. and J.J. McCarthy. Later, Charles presents his four storylines to watch this Thursday as the 2024 NFL Draft kicks off. Charles thinks the ideal landing spot for Drake Maye is the Minnesota Vikings, and that Denver trading up is irresponsible. Meanwhile, the Jacksonville Jaguars are an ideal candidate to make a move and trade up for a wide receiver or cornerback. Finally Charles presents his take that this defensive tackle class is underrated, which sparks a conversation around how college linebackers are letting the NFL down.
3d ago
Yahoo Sports
NFL Draft Four Verts: Most fun trade-up scenarios involve Vikings and Jaguars, while Broncos should trade down
Imagine a scenario where the Vikings trade up to draft Drake Maye, putting him in the same division with Caleb Williams and Jordan Love. Isn't that fun?
3d ago
Yahoo Sports
2024 NFL mock draft: With one major trade-up, it's a QB party in the top 5
Our final 2024 mock draft projects four quarterbacks in the first five picks, but the Cardinals at No. 4 might represent the key pivot point of the entire board.
5d ago
Yahoo Sports
Draft Deep Dive: TEs + Top OL prospects + Best fantasy fits for Brock Bowers
We are just one week away from all the projections, rumors and lies from being put to rest. The Draft is almost there. We put a bow on our 'Draft Deep Dive' series with Yahoo's draft guru Charles McDonald by looking at the top TE and OL prospects in this year's draft.
8d ago
Yahoo Sports
Best draft fits for NFL Rookie of the Year candidates
Caleb Williams will walk into an ideal situation. Seriously. Meanwhile, Josh Allen's potential No. 1 wideout could flash plenty of upside. And why not all-world tight end Brock Bowers?
9d ago
Yahoo Sports Videos
What it means selecting the 2024 All-Juice Team
Yahoo Sports NFL writer Charles McDonald and senior NFL reporter Charles Robinson discuss the honor of selecting the 2024 All-Juice team, continuing the legacy of the late Terez Paylor. To contribute to the Terez A. Paylor Scholarship at Howard University, purchase an All-Juice Team T-Shirt at breakingt.com/terez or donate directly at giving.howard.edu/givenow
11d ago
Yahoo Sports
2024 All-Juice Team: 10th annual edition hopes to be as successful as Terez Paylor's first
When Terez Paylor put together the very first All-Juice Team in 2015, 10 of those 22 players are expected to still be on NFL rosters in 2024. We can only hope this year's team honors Terez's memory with that kind of hit rate.
11d ago
Yahoo Sports
Breaking down the 2024 All-Juice Team | The Exempt List
Charles McDonald and Charles Robinson team up to cover the 2024 All-Juice Team, which was released this morning on Yahoo Sports. C Mac and C Rob spend some time remembering the legacy of the great Terez Paylor (who started the All-Juice team) before going pick-by-pick and explaining how each selection was made. The duo discuss how they made the call on players like Caleb Williams, Marshall Lloyd, Amarius Mims, Chop Robinson, Malik Mustapha and more. Later in the show, Terez' fiancee Ebony Reed joins Charles Robinson to discuss the work Terez poured into this project every year before diving into her new book, Fifteen Cents on the Dollar: How Americans Made the Black-White Wealth Gap, and how sports fans and average Americans alike can connect to the book.
12d ago
Yahoo Sports
NFL Draft primer: Buccaneers just need to bolster division-winning roster
What does Tampa Bay need in this month's NFL Draft? How many picks do they have? We break it down right here.
15d ago
Yahoo Sports
NFL Draft primer: Saints have plenty of areas to address, but not much capital for it
What does New Orleans need in this month's NFL Draft? How many picks do they have? We break it down right here.
15d ago
Yahoo Sports
NFL Draft primer: Panthers need a lot and don't have a first-round pick to help
What does Carolina need in this month's NFL Draft? How many picks do they have? We break it down right here.
15d ago
Yahoo Sports
NFL Draft primer: Falcons really, really need to address their defense
What does Atlanta need in this month's NFL Draft? How many picks do they have? We break it down right here.
15d ago
Yahoo Sports
NFL Draft primer: Patriots' glaring need is quarterback — but they won't have the pick of the litter
What does New England need in this month's NFL Draft? How many picks do they have? We break it down right here.
15d ago
Yahoo Sports
NFL Draft primer: Dolphins need to protect Tua Tagovailoa and reload on defense
What does Miami need in this month's NFL Draft? How many picks do they have? We break it down right here.
15d ago
Yahoo Sports
NFL Draft primer: Bills need wide receivers in void left by Stefon Diggs trade
What does Buffalo need in this month's NFL Draft? How many picks do they have? We break it down right here.
15d ago
Yahoo Sports Videos
How should the Chargers approach the 5th pick in the NFL draft? | The Exempt List
Yahoo Sports NFL writer Charles McDonald and ESPN contributor Domonique Foxworth discuss which positions the Chargers should go after in the 2024 NFL Draft. Hear the full conversation on “The Exempt List with Charles McDonald” - part of the “Zero Blitz” podcast - and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.
16d ago