Nick Saban: Quinnen Williams is perfect fit for today’s NFL

The New York Jets landed the perfect defender for today’s NFL with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft, according to his college coach.

Quinnen Williams needed just one season of dominant play at Alabama to go from little-known role player to arguably the top overall prospect in the 2019 NFL draft. Getting him with this year’s third overall pick was a steal for the Jets, who turned down trade overtures for their pick in favor of adding Williams’ rare combination of size, athleticism, explosiveness and power.

How does Williams’ skill set fit with where NFL defenses are headed? Perfectly, according to Alabama head coach Nick Saban:

.@AlabamaFTBL head coach Nick Saban says Quinnen Williams' game "is perfect for this day and age of football." ?

— New York Jets (@nyjets) May 6, 2019

I think his initial quickness and his ability to use his hands, play with leverage, get off blocks quickly. He’s athletic, so he’s a really good pass rusher. He’s not a gigantic, huge, overpowering guy, but the rest of it is perfect for this day and age of football. I go back to the initial quickness and the use of his hands. This guy is a really smart, instinctive player. I think sometimes people overlook how that impacts someone’s production and his production here was fabulous.

With fellow top-10 pick Leonard Williams already anchoring the defensive line, the Jets are adding yet another elite defender to build around. Williams’ versatility should allow him to have an immediate impact in a defense desperate to improve after struggling under former head coach Todd Bowles.

With other young playmakers like Jamal Adams, and veteran additions like C.J. Mosley, the Jets defense could be primed for a quick turnaround after adding Williams to their ranks.