New York Jets: Leonard Williams wants to be the best

Things have been rather quiet so far for first-round pick Leonard Williams of the New York Jets compared to his fellow defensive linemen.

Also on Empire Writes Back: Who was the best first-round pick in Jets history?

More from New York Jets

The suspension to Jets’ defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson, means that Williams will be playing a big role right away.

“Once I found out about it, I knew that there was going to be pressure on me, but I try not to listen to everything outside and I try to just to come to work every day and listen to what the D-linemen tell me, listen to what my coaches are telling me and just watch film and just get better every day,” Williams said to Steve Serby of the New York Post.

“I think I could definitely make an impact and help out the team and prove to the coaches that they made the right choice by picking me. I think I’ll be able to judge after our first preseason game.”

Williams had a great career at USC, as he totaled 21 sacks, two interceptions, and five forced fumbles in three seasons. So far with the Jets, Williams is impressing his teammates.

“He’s very similar to Mo — Mo’s got similar strength and speed burst,” Jets’ center Nick Mangold said to Serby. “Obviously Mo, his technique is much better, but I’m sure with time, Leonard’s will come.”

While being like Muhammad Wilkerson or J.J. Watt would be great, Williams wants to be the best in the league.

“I just want to be Leonard Williams, and hopefully I’ll be better than that,” Williams said to Serby. “I want to be the best that I can be. Hopefully one day I’ll be the best D-lineman out there. I’m just going to work every day for that.”

One of the reasons why Williams was regarded by some as the best defensive player in the NFL Draft was that he is versatile. Williams has the ability to play across the defensive line, and for a Jets team that will be missing Richardson for at least four games, that is very important.

“I did the same thing in college,” Williams said to Serby. “I prefer it that way, because you don’t get used to one position and one type of get-off and one type of technique and all that type of stuff. Moving around a lot I think confuses the offense sometimes.”

Williams is easy to spot with his wild hair, and the Jets will hope to spot him sacking opposing quarterbacks in the backfield in 2015.

Next: Who is the best QB in franchise history?

More from Empire Writes Back

Home/New York Jets