New York Jets: Quinnen Williams provides superb draft value

The New York Jets own the third overall selection in the 2019 NFL Draft. One player they should consider drafting is Alabama’s Quinnen Williams.

The New York Jets are in an enviable position in this month’s 2019 NFL Draft. Gang Green owns the third overall selection and there are several top prospects that general manager Mike Maccagnan can pick. One of those players is defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.

The Alabama Crimson Tide product was a Consensus All-American for Nick Saban in 2018 and the winner of the Outland Trophy, given to the best interior lineman in the country. The Birmingham, AL native recorded eight sacks and 71 tackles (19.5 for loss) in his sophomore season last year.

Williams was the main reason, on the defensive side of the ball, that the 14-1 Crimson Tide advanced to the NCAA championship contest against Clemson (where they lost 44-16).

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of Williams as a prospect.

PROS: What impresses you so much on film about Williams is his power and thrust at the point of attack. The 6-3, 303-pounder simply overpowered opponents on the college level and he projects to be an instant starter in the NFL with Pro Bowl potential. He better be if he is a top five draft pick, as many expect later this month at the 2019 NFL Draft in Nashville.

Williams possesses extremely strong hands, quick feet and burst through the line. He simply jumps off the tape when you are watching him. He’s like a bull in a china shop, he’s destructive at the point of attack. He has fine lateral movement for such a big man and his motor never stops churning.

CONS: With that being said, the Alabama superstar does not have superior length and needs to watch his weight carefully. He can actually add some muscle on his frame. Getting stronger is never a problem when you advance to the next level. Williams is a fine athlete but not a superior one. If he stays healthy though, Williams should be a perennial Pro Bowler. The combination of two Williamses — Leonard and Quinnen — would be a lethal one-two punch on the defensive line for Gang Green.

BOTTOM LINE: The odds are that Maccagnan will draft Nick Bosa or Josh Allen, the top two edge rushers in the class, with the third overall pick if either are available. It’s a move he should make. However, if both are off the board, selecting Quinnen Williams would be a no-brainer. He’s expected to be a dominant force in the NFL for years to come.