NY Jets: 5 players the team can't afford to lose to injury in 2021

3. Quinnen Williams, DT, NY Jets

Quinnen Williams made fans worry in his rookie campaign, seeing the third overall pick make little impact in an underwhelming season. However, Williams proved his first-round pedigree in 2020 when he burst onto the scene as one of the top defensive tackles in the league.

The baby-faced Alabama product was the anchor to a budding defensive line, able to force fumbles and sack the quarterback despite being the focus of opposing offensive linemen.

Now with added help on the line as mentioned with Carl Lawson, Williams could turn from a promising stud to a player the league fears.

Now in his third season, and what will be his first under Robert Saleh, Quinnen Williams will seemingly be primed for greatness in the 2021 season. Jets fans already love Williams and want nothing more than to see the young star succeed.

Which again is why he cannot afford to lose this season to injury.

Ignore the previous point made about the young and inexperienced secondary, the Jets are banking on ferocious performances from their defensive line. Williams isn't just an important cog in that machine — he's the integral piece in its success.

If Quinnen Williams takes another huge leap in his development as he did in 2020, this upcoming season could prove to be something spectacular. Nobody wants to see that derailed by an injury.