New York Jets: Grading their 3rd overall pick Quinnen Williams
Everyone has now had a chance to sleep and think about the first night of the 2019 NFL Draft. For New York Jets fans, they went to bed pretty happy.
With the Third Pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, the New York Jets select Quinnen Williams from the University of Alabama. The only other pick that truly could’ve been any better for me in this scenario would’ve been if the Jets landed Nick Bosa. Even saying that, I still think Williams could pan out to be the next best Defensive Tackle in the NFL.
Ceiling: Aaron Donald
On draft night, all of the analysts were hyping him up to be the next Aaron Donald, and rightfully so. The comparisons between these two are uncanny. Both Donald and Williams pose a threat as explosive interior defensive linemen who can force the issue and become run stuffers. At one point, Williams had six-and-a-half sacks in five games during his most recent season with the Crimson Tide and just like Donald, it was due to him blowing up the pocket.
It’s rare that you see a defensive tackle that can stop both the run and pass game, but that’s what makes Donald so elite and you can see the same similarities in Williams.
Floor: Geno Atkins
I compare Williams’ floor to another pro-bowl lineman in Geno Atkins simply because I don’t see this guy failing in the NFL, but I think this is as low as he gets. Atkins is again a fast, explosive lineman from the snap and is a threat to force tackles and sacks on a nightly basis. Like Atkins, Williams can maneuver his way into the pocket using sheer force and agility through signature moves on the line.
Williams’ college stats faired much better to that of Atkins. Having both played in the SEC, it’s easy to compare the two and see that Williams will have more of an immediate impact to the Jets. If Atkins, a seven-time pro-bowler, is the worst it could get for the young tackle, then he has a bright future ahead of him in New York.
Final Grade:
For me, the Jets hit the lottery with this one. That’s why I give them an A+ for the first night.
QUINNEN WILLIAMS. A+. <img decoding=. Defensive Tackle. Alabama
It’s not often that a player draws comparisons to the NFL’s defensive greats, but for defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, he does just that. The Jets have found a generational talent in a guy that can burst off the defensive line and become a nightmare for any quarterback standing in the pocket.
In a draft class full of athletic freaks, Williams surely fits the bill. His 6-3, 303 pound-frame may be deceiving, but his 4.83-second 40-yard dash and 30.5-inch vertical leap is a big reason why he accumulated 10 sacks in his 26 games played at Alabama.
Next. New York Giants instant reaction to the 6th overall pick. dark
The New York Jets have five scheduled picks left in this year’s draft with their next pick coming in the third round. If they can pick the rest of their draft as they did with this third overall pick, gang green is going to be more than satisfied going into this upcoming season.