New York Jets: Time for Marcus Williams to shine

The New York Jets will have some new faces in their defensive secondary next season. Marcus Williams will have an opportunity to prove his worth and step up to be in the starting cornerback conversation.

For a man who signed as a free agent to the Jets’ practice squad two years ago after being released during his first training camp, Williams has every right to look back at how far he’s come since walking into the doors at Florham Park.

After coming out of college as an undrafted rookie, he had a solid four years at North Dakota State where he set a school record in total interceptions with 21. Many scouts were concerned that he was too stiff and would be a target for opposing quarterbacks since he wasn’t all that great with sticking to routes and also didn’t do too well in man-to-man coverage going deep.

Nov 22, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; New York Jets strong safety Marcus Williams (20) smiles after a defensive play during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. The Texans defeated the Jets 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Coming into his rookie season in 2014, he was cut from the practice squad of the Houston Texans during the preseason and was signed by the Jets’ to their own practice squad after a Week 3 loss to the Chicago Bears. After impressing during team practices, he was promoted to the active roster and played the final eight games of the season where he showed glimpses of what was to come in 2015.

He finished those final eight games with 29 tackles and an interception, exhibiting a great ability to stop the run as well as defend the pass. He was playing mainly as a dime corner, earning him praise from everyone around him, even his coaches.

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Moving forward to 2015, it was a different story for Williams where he started the season with the Jets fourth on their depth chart.

He was behind the likes of Antonio Cromartie and Darrelle Revis with everything being a massive learning experience for him to be able to pick the brains of two Pro Bowl players with many years experience in the NFL.

Williams used this knowledge to great effect as his chance to put everything he’s learned last season to full use in 2016 is coming up faster than a New York minute. He put up some incredible number for the Green and White last season, leading the team with six interceptions on the year despite only starting in three games due to injury. He was the perfect example of a player who makes the most out of every opportunity he gets when on the football field.

With Cromartie not returning to the Jets next season at this point in time, Williams’ role on defense will take a massive step up this year with him likely to be the starting corner opposite Revis. This will only make him better since he’ll be getting more game time leading to more opportunities to really make a name for himself.

In his season ending presser, head coach Todd Bowles said this about him, courtesy of the Media Relations Department of the Jets:

“He’s very patient out there,” head coach Todd Bowles said of Williams. “The moment is not too big for him. The ball finds him, number one—very instinctive, very smart player”

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Overall, with Bowles showing how much faith he and defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers have in him, fans should be on the lookout for a breakout year from Williams. He has the skill-set as his moment to shine will be coming next season.

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