Quinnen Williams learning every DL position for Jets

New York Jets top draft pick Quinnen Williams is loaded with talent, but he’s soaking up valuable knowledge from veteran teammates to maximize his value.

When the New York Jets spent the No. 3 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft on Alabama defensive lineman Quinnen Williams, they knew they were getting arguably the best overall prospect in the entire class.

But while Williams is known for his rare combination athleticism, explosiveness and physicality, that’s not stopping him from being a humble rookie doing everything he can to learn from his veteran teammates.

A versatile player who lined up all over the defensive line for the Crimson Tide, Williams has been hard at work learning the tips and tricks of the trade, in hopes he can make an impact at every position in the trenches as a rookie (via team reporter Olivia Landis):

Whatever Gregg wants me to do, I’m going to do it. I can play all positions, and he knows I can play all positions. And he knows I can learn all positions. And just going through every day with these guys: Leo plays right end, Steve plays nose guard, and you’ve got Henry Anderson who plays left end. So knowing those three great guys, three great veterans, and three great leaders, I just pick their brain about every position to make it more easy for me to learn all three positions.

After starting just one season at Alabama, some doubters may have labeled Williams as a risky one-year wonder. But his tape from the 2018 season proves he has rare ability, and as a redshirt sophomore with two years of college eligibility still remaining, he’s still just scratching the surface of his potential.

The Jets have the luxury of bringing Williams along slowly, thanks to the presence of talented, experienced veterans across the defensive line. But it shouldn’t take long for Williams to match what he’s learning from his teammates with his elite skill set, eventually making him into one of the league’s most dominant front-line defenders.

For a team that hasn’t made the playoffs in nearly a decade, the Jets will need all the help they can get from this year’s top draft pick. There’s plenty of talent on both sides of the ball, but Williams and his teammates will have to turn that potential into actual on-field success before Gang Green fans will be true believers in their chances of making a playoff run this season.

What are your expectations for Williams and the Jets’ defensive line in 2019? Give us your take in the comment section!