2019 NFL Draft: Grades for every first-round pick

3. New York Jets: Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama

Grade: A

The New York Jets looked hard for a trade partner, but ended up standing pat and taking Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams. After a dominant 2018 season, Williams skyrocketed up boards and was arguably the best and most talented overall prospect in this NFL Draft class. The Jets snagging him at three to unleash in Gregg Williams’ defensive system makes a ton of sense.

In today’s NFL, teams love to create pressure from the interior. Guys like Aaron Donald and Fletcher Cox have revolutionized the interior defensive line position, winning with ridiculous athleticism and power on the inside. Teams are looking for one-gap penetrators who can create pressure on the interior, and Quinnen Williams certainly fits the bill.

Williams is an explosive pass rusher who shows the ability to get upfield quickly and put immediate stress on the offensive linemen. He shows extremely powerful and quick hands, consistently fighting through blocks and consistently keeping hands off of him as explodes to the quarterback.

The Alabama product is also a fantastic run defender who shows the ability to make plays in the backfield as a one-gap penetrator and keep his linebackers clean in two-gap situations. Simply put, his combination of quickness, power and overall athleticism is elite and gives him big-time upside at the next level.

The Jets did not have a major need at the defensive tackle position, but Williams is an absolute stud who could quickly grow into an All-Pro like talent on the inside. This was the obvious choice and also the correct one.