The New York Jets held the 3rd pick for the second year in a row and did not disappoint the second time around. The Jets chose to take the best player available after there had been much trade speculation earlier in the week. Â The Jets selected Quinnen Williams, a defensive tackle from Alabama, who just might be the most talented player in the draft.
Tale Of The Tape
Williams has all the experience in the world coming from perennial playoff contender Alabama. Last season, Quinnen racked up 71 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, and 8 sacks. That record was good enough to win the Outland Trophy for the nation’s best interior lineman. He also received one first-place vote for Heisman, finishing 8th in the final vote. Some analysts compare him to Aaron Donald, and it was easy to see why at the combine:
What People Are Saying:
General Manager Mike Maccagnan thinks that Williams has the ability to play up and down the line. This should help the aging Steve McLendon, and give new coordinator Gregg Williams another tool to work with. The entire Jets front office must like to hear that Quinnen is the highest graded defensive lineman of the past 5 years for Pro Football Focus:
Alabama teammate and fellow first-round pick Jonah Williams describes the defensive start as a ‘300-pound bar of soap’. NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah had Williams as the 2nd-best player on his board. Drafting players with a top overall pick can be challenging, but Quinnen Williams is universally regarded as a top talent.
What This Pick Means For The Jets
The Jets still have needs to fill on both sides of the ball. With no 2nd round pick to start the draft, getting the 3rd overall pick right was paramount. The 2019 draft also happened to the deepest defensive line group in recent memory.
The Jets got both value and talent by selecting Quinnen Williams. Quinnen will also make the other Williams’ happy in the coming seasons. Gregg will be able to get the most out of Quinnen and Leonard by moving them around the line. The return of the New York Sack Exchange might not be so far away.