New York Jets will be beneficiary of Leonard Williams bidding war

The New York Jets are in an advantageous position as it pertains to Leonard Williams. Here’s why a bidding war has already started for his services.

The perception of New York Jets defensive lineman Leonard Williams among the fans is disappointment since being taken with the sixth overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.

Although the perception among the rest of the NFL is much higher per ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

Leonard Williams has been garnering interest from multiple teams around the league ahead of the 2019 trade deadline, per sources.

Say what now?

Despite only registering 17 sacks since entering the league, apparently his value goes beyond the normal base metric for measuring a pass rusher’s success.

A stat that isn’t as sexy but shows his hidden impact: Williams is eighth in the conference with 88 quarterback hits since entering the league.

So what could he bring back in a hypothetical trade?

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Per Adam Schefter, the price for Williams would be in a similar range or even higher than other deals we’ve seen in the last two years for other defenders.

For example, the Houston Texans traded former No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney to the Seattle Seahawks for a third-round draft choice, Barkevious Mingo and Jacob Martin.

The other example from 2018 was the Jacksonville Jaguars sent pass rusher Dante Fowler Jr. to the Los Angeles Rams for third and fifth-round draft picks.

Schefter is reporting that the Jets can get at least that and probably even more stemming from a possible bidding war.

Although the Jets aren’t currently interested in dealing Williams at this time, that could change.

The Jets are sitting at 0-4 and their chances of making the playoffs continue to dwindle by the week. The other reason why New York may change their tune is because Leonard is in the last year of his rookie contract.

While he has never been a dynamic pass rusher, Leonard has been a very solid player. What the Jets have to determine is that worth a fat contract extension? Or are they better served moving him so they can rebuild for the present and future?