NY Jets' newest free-agent addition could help unlock Quinnen Williams

The New York Jets entered the offseason with a dire need to upgrade their defensive line. A position that was once one of the strongest and deepest on the team became arguably its biggest liability in 2025 as a result of injuries, misfortune, and a series of poor offseason decisions.

The Jets essentially trotted out replacement-level players alongside Quinnen Williams at defensive tackle for most of the season. Javon Kinlaw was a massive disappointment, and the likes of Solomon Thomas, Bruce Hector, Leki Fotu, etc. did little to strike fear into opposing offenses.

The team has yet to make a high-profile addition at defensive tackle, instead signing veteran backups Byron Cowart and Jay Tufele last week. On Sunday, however, the Jets might have made their most important defensive line signing yet.

The Jets have reportedly signed former Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi, finally giving the team a legitimate run-stuffing 1-tech defensive tackle to pair with Williams. Nnadi's arrival could unlock Williams as a pass rusher.

Quinnen Williams is the biggest winner of the Jets' Derrick Nnadi signing

A third-round pick of the Chiefs in the 2018 NFL Draft, Nnadi has spent his entire seven-year career in Kansas City. The former Florida State standout has spent the bulk of those seven years as the Chiefs' primary starting nose tackle.

Nnadi has started 87 of 115 games since entering the league, although he was relegated to more of a part-time role for the first time in 2024. At 6-foot-1, 317 pounds, Nnadi fits the classic archetype of a run-stuffer at the 1-tech/nose tackle position.

While his Pro Football Focus grades in recent years leave a lot to be desired, Nnadi was still regarded as a key piece of the Chiefs' defensive line rotation for over half a decade. Chiefs fans aren't happy he's gone.

Nnadi was not only heavily involved in the Kansas City community, supporting multiple local charities, but he also played a crucial role in allowing All-Pro Chris Jones to maximize his pass-rush upside.

That's the role he could fill with the Jets. Quinnen Williams remains one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL, but he's often been asked to play out of position in recent years. Williams can play as a 1-tech defensive tackle, but that's never been the best way to maximize his pass-rush ability.

Adding a traditional 1-tech to fill that role in 2025 could be a game-changer, as Quinnen Williams aims to recapture his 2022 All-Pro form when he racked up 12.5 sacks and dominated the interior of the Jets' defensive line.

Cowart and Tufele are fine veteran fliers, but neither projects to occupy the role that Nnadi will. In fact, this is a player we at this very site have been pushing for the Jets to sign for years now.

Nnadi isn’t a Pro Bowl-caliber player, nor will he single-handedly transform the Jets' defense, but he fills a crucial role on the defensive line. His presence could help the Jets maximize the impact of arguably their best defensive playmaker, making this a highly underrated signing.

NY Jets' newest free-agent addition could help unlock Quinnen Williams

Quinnen Williams is the biggest winner of the Jets' Derrick Nnadi signing

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