New York Jets 2019 NFL Draft Profile: Quinnen Williams, DT

The New York Jets have the third overall selection in the 2019 NFL Draft. One prospect they should seriously consider drafting is defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.

The New York Jets own the third overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft in Nashville. With such a premium selection, there will be many options available for general manager Mike Maccagnan. Gang Green has numerous holes to fill on both sides of the ball but one option could be Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.

The Alabama product was a unanimous First-Team All-American for the Crimson Tide last year and the winner of the Outland Trophy, awarded to college football’s finest interior lineman. The 6-4, 289-pounder, as a redshirt sophomore, recorded eight sacks and 71 tackles, including 19.5 for loss. He’s one of the main reasons the Crimson Tide went 14-1 in 2018 (they lost the National Championship Game to Clemson, 44-16).

Let’s take a look at some of his highlights via YouTube:

As the video clearly shows, Williams has elite power and speed. If he stays healthy, he should be a perennial Pro Bowl performer in the NFL. That’s how talented he is. The Birmingham, AL native is a three-technique standout with superior burst on the snap. Williams never slows down or takes a down off — he has a very live motor and advanced pass rushing skills for an interior lineman.

If the Jets select Williams, it should free up some of the double-teaming on fellow defensive tackle Leonard Williams, New York’s first round pick (sixth overall) in 2015. If both perform up to their potential, well let’s just say that would be a very formidable duo. Williams and Williams would be quite the dynamic duo.

Quinnen Williams is known for having strong hands that he uses effectively via a variety of pass-rushing moves. While penetrating into the backfield and pressuring the quarterback is his forte, Williams is not too shabby stopping the run either.

He’s an excellent athlete that sheds blocks well, even against double teams. Williams played his best football last season against some of the better squads in the SEC, including Auburn and LSU. He was simply superb against LSU, posting 2.5 sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss and 10 tackles in all. It was a vintage performance.

There is very little to say on the negative side about Williams. Perhaps the lone blemish is that he has just two years of experience playing college football. That’s about it. He’s also a high character person as well. He’s the complete package.

I’d be absolutely shocked if Williams is not a top-five selection in this year’s draft. Arizona, San Francisco, the Jets, Oakland and Tampa Bay would all be ecstatic to have him on their roster. If he’s still on the board when Gang Green is on the clock, Maccagnan has to grab Williams. You can’t let a potential All-Pro performer slip through your fingers.