When New York Jets‘ Quinnen Williams was selected with the third overall pick just a year ago, he was touted as the next superstar defensive lineman. The supposed “can’t miss talent” from Alabama (a defensive line factory) struggled in his rookie year.
With just over two sacks and only a few solid plays in his rookie season, he spent the offseason training and turning into a well-tuned machine. With his own personal lofty expectations of becoming a game wrecker, Quinnen was rather quiet in Buffalo. Until he turned it up today.
The New York Jets saw the potential of their stud interior defender:
Quinnen took advantage of a big opportunity against a weakened 49ers offense. Since Jimmy Garoppalo lacked weaponry with star tight end and wide receivers George Kittle and DeeBoo Samuel out of Sunday’s game. When Brandon Aiyuk, Bourne, and Reed struggled to create separation, that created opportunity.
Williams took advantage of the lack of separation and bull-rushed through that offensive line multiple times. His first sack was a complete domination of LG Laken Tomlinson. His second was a bullrush through the heart of the line that forced a fumble on backup quarterback Nick Mullens.
Williams also nabbed a TFL and a few tackles. In just one game, Williams nearly replicated his 1st season sack total. Williams still needs to continue this success throughout the season, but for a guy being labeled a bust by some, his success must feel great. He’s no Aaron Donald, but the New York Jets had a dreary day, and Williams stood as a refreshing, bright spot.
New York Jets defensive lineman Quinnen Williams has a little extra motivation to play well against San Francisco on Sunday.
Week 1’s no-show in Buffalo and the return to MetLife Stadium should be enough motivation for every member of the New York Jets going into this Sunday’s tilt against the San Francisco 49ers (1 p.m. ET, Fox). But defensive lineman Quinnen Williams has an extra personal layer of incentive, one to show just exactly what San Francisco’s missing.
Two of the top three picks from the 2019 NFL Draft will square off on Sunday. Williams went third to the Jets during the selection proceedings in Nashville, minutes after Nick Bosa was chosen by the 49ers. The instant gratification nature of the draft, accompanied by its obsession with the question of what might’ve been, ensured that Williams and Bosa would be forever connected for the rest of their careers, even if matchups between the Jets and Niners only come as often as the Summer Olympics.
San Francisco general manager John Lynch strongly hinted that the decision at No. 2 came down to one of the defensive linemen. The final decision of Bosa didn’t stop Lynch from singing Williams’ praises prior to the fateful day.
“The season he had may have been as good of a college football season that I’ve ever seen,” Lynch said, per Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area after Williams tallied 19.5 tackles for a loss and eight sacks in his redshirt sophomore season at Alabama. “He was just dominant. What a season he had. He’s a spectacular player.”
By now, it’s clear that Bosa more than justified Lynch’s decision. He earned 13 sacks, including four in San Francisco’s run to Super Bowl LIV, en route to the Associated Press Rookie of the Year honors. Williams struggled in his debut season with the Jets (0-1), a year plagued with injuries and inconsistency. His final ledger consisted of 28 tackles, including 2.5 sacks.
2020 got off to a somewhat better start. He was arrested in March after attempting to bring a firearm on an airplane, but he made positive headlines in organizing charitable endeavors in both the metropolitan area and in his native Birmingham in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Williams knows that, on the field, his Jets career hasn’t exactly gone as envisioned yet. While he was one of the few Jets to earn praise from the 27-17 disaster in Buffalo…defensive coordinator Gregg Williams offered praise of collapsing Josh Allen’s pocket…the defender knows he’s capable of much more.
“I got to do much more. I have to go out there and give it my all, every single play, every single down,” Quinnen Williams said this week, per Zach Braziller of the New York Post. “That’s what I expect from myself. My standards are super high for myself, so I feel like I haven’t (done) what I can do and I should be doing.”
Williams can certainly make a statement on Sunday, as the Jets seek their first win of the season against the defending NFC champions. A New York defense missing several key components through trades (Jamal Adams), opt-outs (C.J. Mosley), or injuries (Blake Cashman, possibly Avery Williamson) will need someone to step up to stop a San Franciso offense that ranked second in NFL offense last season.
The connection between Williams and San Francisco (0-1) wasn’t much of a talking point in Florham Park this week, but some Niners appear to be aware of the bond he and Bosa indirectly share.
“Obviously, hindsight is 20-20 but Nick at number two is a no-brainer. And Quinnen was a no brainer,” blocker Trent Williams said in a report from Chris Biderman of The Sacramento Bee. “At that point, it was just kind of what you prefer as a team, as a coaching staff and as an organization. Obviously, I don’t think you could have gone wrong with either player. I do feel Nick has turned into one of the best at his position. Quinnen has that same ability. So we expect him to be disruptive on Sunday and we expect to try to contain him. Both of those guys are saturated with talent and I don’t think you could have went wrong either way.”
Bosa himself commented on the connection in the same report.
“I’m just really happy that I ended up (in San Francisco) and I’m glad they felt confident enough to pick me,” Bosa said. “I’m sure (Williams) is going to get the hang of it here pretty soon, because he’s super talented. He’s got everything he needs. I mean, (we’re) two good players, and I’m happy I got picked one above him.”
There’s still time for pick no. 3 to fulfill that potential and make the Jets equally satisfied. Williams’ next big opportunity comes against the team that passed on him, one that went with Bosa to anchor their defensive line.
While his stats and play may not meet anyone standards, not even his own, the most famous examples of a Jets-Crimson Tide crossover is a believer in his fellow former Tuscaloosa dweller.
“Quinnen is a great athlete, a terrific athlete,” Namath told Kristian Dyer of Sports Illustrated. “He’s going to be around. I like his personality, he’s a nice man but he’s still a hell of a defensive lineman – you don’t have to be one of those guys who is raging in the locker room.”
As the season looms, I decided to take a deep dive into each New York Jets position group within the organization and grade each group. Today’s group is one that is full of talent from top to bottom. From vets to high potential young pieces, this group is not about the individuals but rather the collective unit itself. Gregg Williams is a mastermind in defensive line rotations, and that showed last season. With one of the top rushing defenses in all of football, this group will be graded as a unit rather than as individual pieces. So without further ado, let’s take a closer look at the defensive line.
The Starters: Steve McLendon (NT), Henry Anderson & Quinnen Williams
The New York Jets have one key leader up front. Steve McLendon has been a consistent captain and leader in the Jets locker room. His presence is felt on the field as a run stuffer and a consistent force up the middle. He’s one of the most consistent nose tackles in the league, and I expect that to continue this season. Henry Anderson had a breakout season after being acquired from the Colts two years ago. Now, this could very well be his last season donning the green and white. Last season was a quiet year for Anderson, and if he can’t establish more of a presence, he will have a lessened role quickly. Quinnen Williams is the key x-factor of this front seven as a whole. Williams is no longer the baby he was in his first year. Williams looks more athletic and sounds more confident. He had a great camp, and I’m expecting a breakout year from the former 3rd overall selection.
Backups: John Franklin-Myers, Folorunso Fatukasi, Nathan Shepherd, Kyle Phillips, and Jordan Willis.
This group is one that is crucial to the defensive line’s success as a whole. All five guys are expected to play a role in the rotation immediately. Myers had an impressive camp and earned a roster spot, so it’ll be intriguing to see what kind of role he has early. Fatukasi and Phillips are two starting-caliber linemen who had phenomenal years last year. Both men established themselves as two of the most talented young pieces on the defense. Fatukasi is the likely successor to McLendon and Phillips to Anderson. Both guys will look to continue their success in 2020. Shepherd was a highly touted selection from Canada during the former regime’s run. Todd Bowles could never really find a role with him, but the same can’t be said about Williams. Shepherd has role fairly quickly as a rotational end, and I expect him to continue to grow in that spot in 2020. Willis is in a similar spot to Phillips last year, where he will need a strong season to earn a spot in the rotation, but that’s entirely plausible.
Grade: A
As I’ve said, individually, I’m not going to rave about any one piece of the puzzle. When put together, though, with the magic of Williams, this unit is incredibly talented. I fully expect them to take a step forward this year with growth from Quinnen, Fatukasi, and Phillips. I ultimately believe those three will be the key pieces of this line for the next few years. I’m excited for this group, and I’m glad that this is the one group I’ll probably give an A to of all the groups in New York.
Well, this is something. The New York Jets are reportedly “deeply involved” in talks with the Jaguars for the services of Yannick Ngakoue per Michael Lombardi. The former exec previously reported he foresees a deal occurring for Ngakoue very soon. Ngakoue has been a rumored trade candidate all offseason, and could finally be heading to a new location. Ngakoue heading to New York would change the organizational landscape.
What It Would Mean
Adding Yannick would absolutely reshape the defense. For starters, the Jets would have their first true pass rusher in years. At just 25, Yannick has barely scratched the surface of what he could be. In just four seasons, Yannick has 122 tackles, 37.5 Sacks, 14 Forced Fumbles, 42 TFLs, and 2 INTs. Yannick is an absolute freak who would be an impact player immediately.
Not only that but adding a pass rusher like Yannick changes the way opposing offenses game plan for this defense. This then allows guys like Jordan Jenkins, who’s always been better suited as a number two pass rusher, to truly flourish. You’d also see a guy like Quinnen Williams, who’s already showing an impressive level of growth in training camp, take a huge step up with less attention on him. The whole defense would benefit from a pass rush. The weak secondary would be able to be masked all the more. Most of all, Yannick would bring the star-like presence that the Jets lost just a few weeks ago in the Adams trade.
Will It Happen?
It remains to be seen if Douglas will pull off such a deal. The move seems out of character for him on the surface. However, Douglas is the kind of negotiator capable of magic, as seen in the Adams deal. The rumored compensation is a 2nd rounder. If the Jets can walk out of this deal without parting with a first and get Ngakoue, then Douglas deserves a statue. Not only that but then they can keep those firsts for a draft that will likely be very interesting without college football in the fall. The move would be great, so hopefully, it’s not just a report with no true grounds.
When the New York Jets drafted Quinnen Williams with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft, they expected a monster interior defender that could put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. While they did receive that player, he struggled in his rookie campaign.
Overall, the Jets’ defense endured plenty of injuries last season, spread across the board, affecting players like CJ Mosley, Avery Williamson, and Williams. In 13 games, Williams posted 28 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and just one fumble recovery. The expectations most placed on Williams’ head were not met, but he has plenty of time to build upon an average rookie campaign.
It is also important to mention that Williams played through injury in 2019, which star linebacker CJ Mosley mentioned in his Wednesday conference call with reporters.
“He fought through injuries early, so he missed a few games,” Mosley said. “But if you look back at his career at Alabama, he didn’t play a lot, so I think he still has a lot of raw talent in him. I think the more he learns, the more experience he gets on the field is going to make him that much better. … Just those little things is going to help him as he gets older. You’re not just going to learn it right off the bat.”
The New York media will find any way to slander a player, so it is important to remember that Williams is an incredibly talented individual who experienced the NFL level at just 22 years old. Writing off the former No. 2 pick would be ignorant, and the fact he suffered through injuries and made himself available is impressive in its own way.
The 2020 campaign should be far better for the young interior lineman. The stage is set for him to increase his stamina and physicality. The speed and toughness of the NFL undoubtedly affected Williams early in his career, and that is expected with any player entering the big leagues. Having one year of essential experience under his belt, Quinnen can easily bounce back with a productive season.
The New York Jets are still waiting on Williams to figure out some legal issues:
Williams is still dealing with some legal issues, dating back to March at LaGuardia airport. He was charged with the illegal possession of a handgun, attempting to board a flight with a Glock 19. Before he can feature on the Jets once again, he must iron out his legal issues. Nonetheless, he played in just 46% of defense of snaps last season and is expected to be a focal point in Gregg Williams’ 3-4 base scheme.
From a practical standpoint, New York Jets’ former first-round pick Quinnen Williams is primed for a breakout season 2020. His rookie campaign in 2019 was littered with average play, as he tallied only 2.5 sacks, 28 combine tackles, four tackles for loss, and a 9.7% missed tackle rate. He only managed to play 46% of defensive snaps over 13 games, which limited his sample size and overall impact on the game.
However, Williams has the tangible traits to develop into one of the best interior defensive tackles in the NFL. The former Alabama star was rated above Nick Bosa in the 2019 draft but failed to live up to his name as a rookie.
Bosa, on the other hand, played in 16 games, tallying 9.0 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, and 25 quarterback hits. He helped lead the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl, starting off his career with a bang and showing he was deserving of the number two overall pick last year.
Can the New York Jet get the most out of Williams moving forward?
“This is a forgotten guy, Quinnen Williams. You remember what we were saying about Quinnen Williams coming into that draft? We had Bosa over him but he was in the conversation. He was right there,” Daniel Jeremiah said. “He had 2.5 sacks last year, did not have a big-time impact at all for the Jets. I don’t know how great he is as a fit in Gregg Williams’ defense but Gregg Williams has been a good defensive coordinator in this league for a very long time. He’s going to get more comfortable with him and how to use him. Quinnen Williams will be able to make that adjustment. I just can’t believe that we’re not going to see a better version of this kid. As dominant as he was in the SEC, the best division in college football. They couldn’t block him. It didn’t matter who they were playing against. Quinnen Williams was unblockable. I just have to believe that we’re going to see that player emerge here. We’re going to see more from him. That was disappointing last year. I thought we’d see more out of him.”
Ultimately, if Williams doesn’t fit well into Greg Williams’s system, it is possible he has another average year with Gang Green. Nonetheless, he has the traits to explode and serve as one of the better players on the Jets’ defense, and they need him to step up against the run and put interior pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Last year the New York Jets took Quinnen Williams third overall in the 2019 NFL draft. Quinnen’s rookie year was overall underwhelming and left fans with a bad taste in their mouth. Though Quinnen flashed potential and every now and then he struggled to consistently show off his dominance in the trenches. With year two of Quinnen Williams’ career coming up will he suffer from the sophomore slump or will he rise to stardom.
Social Media
Quinnen has been showing off the work he has been putting in this offseason on social media most notably on his girlfriends’ story where he looks significantly stronger than he did a year ago. Quinnen posts his workouts daily and they bring much hope to Jets fans who want to see him develop into what got him drafted at number three overall. If Quinnen Williams Instagram is any indication it shows that he has his mind on football and is ready for year two in the big apple.
Production
Many Jets fans will tell you that Quinnen Williams was a complete disaster last year but that could not be further than the truth. Quinnen missed 3 games due to neck and ankle injuries and yet he still finished with the same amount of hurries as Ed Oliver. Quinnen Williams did not put up highlight plays but he did all the dirty work in the middle of the defense that led to his teammate’s success. With C.J. Mosely and Avery Williamson coming back healthy Quinnen Williams should find himself in a position to rush the passer more.
If Quinnen Williams can emerge as a dominant force on the defensive line, then the New York Jets defense could be elite. Hopefully for Quinnen Williams and the Jets he produces at a level that will justify his draft position.
The New York Jets’ most recent first-round pick is giving back to the medical community fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.
Good job by #Jets DL Quinnen Williams, who donated $25,000 worth of healthy meals for medical professionals dealing with the coronavirus in New Jersey with the help of a celebrity private chef, Brianna’s Nutrition Kitchen. pic.twitter.com/j957l5siZR
The New York Jets brought Quinnen Williams in to strike fear in the hearts of opponents, to be an attacker of backfields. But today, he’s instead dispensing hope and charity to those fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and giving thanks to a different kind of tri-state area defender.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport shared photos of Williams’ latest offseason endeavor on Tuesday. New York’s 2019 first-round pick is making sure those who keep the tri-state area healthy likewise stay healthy by providing them $25,000 worth of meals to medical professionals from Brianna’s Nutrition Kitchen. The Budd Lake, New Jersey-based food service is run by celebrity chef Brianna Sebasto.
The packages are labeled with stickers featuring a smiling Williams alongside the message “Thank you for your Service!”.
According to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, Williams is planning to duplicate the practice every week at a different hospital. The Jets’ home state of New Jersey has been particularly hit hard by the pandemic, as it is currently second in the nation in confirmed cases, according to The Guardian.
Williams, 21, was chosen with the third pick of last season’s draft out of Alabama. In 13 games (9 starts), the defensive tackle tallied 28 tackles including four for a loss. He also put up 2.5 sacks, a pass deflection, and a fumble recovery.
New York will soon choose Williams’ first-round successor. They are slated to pick 11th in the upcoming NFL Draft, which will begin on April 23 (8:00 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC/NFL Network).
The New York Jets’ most recent first-round pick was arrested at LaGuardia Airport for allegedly carrying a handgun.
Port Authority police arrested New York Jets defensive lineman Quinnen Williams on Thursday night at LaGuardia Airport. The arrest was first confirmed by Morena Basteiro of WABC-TV.
Williams was allegedly arrested for criminal possession of a firearm. According to multiple reports, Williams has a permit for the weapon in his home state of Alabama. He was arrested at circa 9:15 p.m. ET as he attempted to board his flight. According to Basteiro, his case will now be handled by the Queens District Attorney’s Office.
Neither the Jets nor Williams’ agent Nicole Lynn of Young Money APAA Sports has commented on the situation.
The Jets chose Williams with the third overall pick out of Alabama last spring. Over 13 games, Williams tallied 28 tackles, including 2.5 sacks in his debut campaign.
This story will be updated pending further information.
The New York Jets won a football game on Sunday. The Jets beat the Cowboys 24-22 Sunday and capped off a perfect return for Sam Darnold. Darnold battled mono and his return set the stage for an upset by the Jets.
Darnold Fires On All Cylinders
The only mistake Sam made in this game was an interception. Darnold finished the game with a line of 23/32 338 yds, 2 TDs and an INT with a QB rating of 113.8. Darnold had a gorgeous BOMB to Robby Anderson and was able to hit him a few other times throughout the game. Darnold was able to spread the wealth and hit multiple receivers having over 200 combined yards between Jamison Crowder and Robby Anderson. Darnold looked like the player who finished last season and like a confident and calm QB playing damn good football. That is the kind of guy the Jets need on that field next Monday night against the Pats. If that guy is out in that field than mono will be in the past and a serious run could be in this team’s future.
Defense Did Their Thing
An underrated aspect of this squad has been their defense. I’ve highlighted how talented this defense truly is but, yesterday with offensive assistance they performed phenomenally. I said the keys to the game were bottling up Zeke, Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, and Dak. Zeke had 134 total yards and played pretty well but Dak significantly underperformed. He was faced with pressure and when he was he didn’t react as well. The Jets defense played great and Gregg Williams is an absolute mastermind.
Jamal Adams Is That Damn Good
It’s almost a routine at this point that he is included in these things. Jamal had 9 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, a PD and a few key breakups and big hits. Jamal continuously impresses and gives this team a fire that nobody else can. He’s one of the best defensive backs in football and he constantly improves. Jamal is a special talent.
Robby Anderson Made His Presence Felt
For the first few games, it felt like Anderson was getting open but Luke Falk couldn’t hit him. Now Sam returned and Robby was the WR everyone expected. He was able to get separation and also find ways to get open on short routes. He played like a true number one WR. He finished the game with 5 receptions for 125 yards. Anderson and Darnold is a connection that makes the Jets a better team.
The fact is I could nitpick and dive into every detail that was slightly bad from the game or I could celebrate the team having some momentum for a change. C.J. Mosley and Chris Herndon will hopefully return against the Pats and the Jets will have a HUGE Monday night football game. The Jets won but now it’s time to ride this momentum and see how far it can take them.
