What Jets are getting in 1st-round pick Quinnen Williams

Get to know the New York Jets’ first-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft, Alabama defensive lineman Quinnen Williams.

It’s rare to get the best overall prospect in the draft anywhere but the No. 1 overall pick, but the Jets did just that when they landed Williams this year.

A disruptive force for the Crimson Tide, Williams went from little-known backup to the most dominant defender in all of college football in a matter of one season. His rare combination of size, athleticism, power and explosiveness allowed him to make the jump to the NFL with two years of college eligibility still remaining.

While detractors will say he’s just a one-year wonder, Williams’ lack of experience is actually a big reason why he was drafted so high back in April. Entering the NFL as a redshirt sophomore, Williams still hasn’t played his best football yet. For anyone who watched his film from Alabama, that should be a shocking statement.

Williams often looked like a ball-seeking missile on Saturdays in Tuscaloosa, flying around with the range and athletic ability of a defender 100 pounds lighter. His versatile skill set allows him to line up anywhere on the defensive line and wreak havoc against opposing offenses.

As Leonard Williams enters a contract year, the Jets now have the luxury of letting him play out the 2019 season and prove worthy of a big extension. If he falls short of expectations, the younger Williams will be primed to take his place. Or, the best case scenario? Williams balls out, earns a new deal, and teams up with this year’s top pick to give the Jets a dominant front line for years to come.

Williams may have been star-struck when he first arrived in The Big Apple, but he’ll soon establish himself as a recognizable star in his own right. The Jets are quietly building one of the league’s most promising defenses, and Williams will be a key part of their success in 2019 and beyond.

What do you think of the Quinnen Williams pick? Give us your take in the comment section!