Jets legend Joe Namath raves about Quinnen Williams

The New York Jets landed a dominant defender in Quinnen Williams with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft, and the most legendary quarterback in franchise history is excited to see what he can do at the pro level.

Joe Namath knows a thing or two about starring at Alabama before doing the same for the Gang Green. He hopes the same thing will happen for Williams.

Namath, who famously guaranteed an upset victory (and delivered) in Super Bowl III, believes that interior forces like Williams are one of many things that should help Jets quarterback Sam Darnold lead his former team back into the postseason:

"There aren't many guys like Quinnen."

More from Hall of Fame QB Joe Namath on #Jets first-round pick Quinnen Williams.

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— Ethan Greenberg (@EGreenbergJets) May 9, 2019

The best pass defense in the world is pressure, getting on that quarterback. If you can’t protect him — that’s where winning and losing starts, up front with the O-line and the D-line — it’s going to be a long season. It’s a team effort and I know Sam will do well if he can get an offensive line that can block guys. There aren’t many guys like Quinnen.

Namath also reflected on the difference between facing edge pressure and interior pressure as a quarterback, highlighting why Williams’ presence could make such an immediate and significant impact for the Jets defense:

It’s very annoying. It can get into your head if it’s done consistently well and when you look at the tape, seeing who you’re getting ready to play, you see that kind of effort that Quinnen brings to the table and some of these other great defensive linemen.

Williams needed just one year of dominant play for the Crimson Tide to go from little-known backup to arguably the top overall prospect in the country. He’ll be relied on early and often for a young Jets team desperate to return to NFL legitimacy.