New York Jets: Will Avery Williamson make an impact in 2018?
The New York Jets signed free agent linebacker Avery Williamson earlier this year. Will he be making an impact during the 2018 season?
Avery Williamson will have a chip on his shoulder this upcoming season. He wants to prove he’s more than just a two-down linebacker. The New York Jets signed the three-year NFL veteran to a $22.5 million pact in March to replace Demario Davis as the Mike linebacker in Kacy Rodgers’ defensive scheme. He’ll play a vital role in the success of New York’s improving defensive unit.
The 6-1, 246-pounder just wants to be stay on the gridiron in third down situations. Under Tennessee defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, Williamson had his playing time reduced from 83 percent of the snaps in 2016 to just 60 percent last year. LeBeau did not want Williamson on the field in most passing situations.
That obviously did not sit well with the University of Kentucky product, as per CBSSports.com:
"“It was a weird situation. … Honestly, I don’t know. But they didn’t want me to play certain downs. … I was definitely offended by that all last year. Like I said, it wasn’t my decision. Now I’m here and I’m definitely going to get the opportunity. So, I’m glad to be a part of this. It gives me extra fuel to continue to improve my game and become better than I was last year.”"
Williamson will certainly get every chance to prove he can cover running backs and receivers in space in third down scenarios. He has the athleticism and speed to pursue running backs bursting out in the flat and tight ends down the seam. When he comes to stopping the run, there are not many better in the entire NFL.
The 26-year old inside linebacker led the Titans in tackles in 2015 and 2016. He would have paced them again last season if he spent more time on the field. The Jets will miss Davis but they now have a younger, more talented player. In fact, Williamson was graded as the No. 10 linebacker by Pro Football Focus with a grade of 85.5 in 2017. Not too shabby.
Gang Green ranked 24th in the NFL last year in rushing defense (117.9 YPG). Williamson should help improve that figure immensely. He’ll team with Darron Lee, Jordan Jenkins and Josh Martin to give New York a young linebacking corps with upside. Williamson is expected to be the quarterback, if you will, on the defensive side of the ball and call the signals. It’s a big responsibility but he should be more than ready for the task at hand.
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Williamson is in his prime and should be highly motivated to show that he is a three-down linebacker. This should turn out to be one of general anager Mike Maccagnan’s better free agent signings in recent years.