The NFL is littered with otherworldly talents at defensive tackle and the New York Jets may have the next superstar at the position. Quinnen Williams has the skill set to be a disruptive force for years to come and it's just a matter of time before he proves it.
The Jets drafted Quinnen Williams with the third-overall selection in the 2019 NFL Draft. Coming out of Alabama, Williams was regarded as a surefire pick for any team that was lucky enough to land him. In his final season in college, the dominant defensive tackle tallied 71 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, and eight sacks.
Upon his arrival to the NFL, Quinnen Williams immediately became a fan-favorite due to his charismatic personality. As it goes for most rookies, the first-year defensive tackle needed some time to get acclimated to the NFL.
From the beginning of the season, Quinnen Williams saw an inconsistent role in New York's defense. The Alabama product would finish his rookie campaign with 28 tackles, four tackles for loss, six quarterback hits, 2.5 sacks, and a fumble recovery.
The young interior defender only gave a glimpse of what he's capable of doing at the next level. With that in mind, how good can Quinnen Williams become for the Jets?
Williams' potential moving forward
There's no doubt that some fickle fans in New York are already writing Quinnen Williams off as a bust. When a player is taken early in the first round, they are expected to make an immediate impact.
But there are some All-Pro players in the NFL that took some time to master their game. For instance, Gerald McCoy needed a couple of years to develop before emerging as one of the best defensive tackles in the league.
McCoy, who was also a third-overall pick, put together an eerily similar rookie season as Williams. Back in 2010, McCoy recorded 28 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 12 quarterback hits, three sacks, and two forced fumbles.
Just two seasons later, McCoy was named to his first career Pro Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That goes to show that it is worth being patient with a talented player.
While watching Williams, it is evident that he has the potential to be a truly special player in the NFL. Williams may not have produced much in the box score in 2019. But the rookie defensive tackle did contribute in other areas that won't show up in the box score.
Going back to his time at Alabama, Williams was a wrecking ball that lived in the backfield. If the Jets give him some time to shape his game, they'll have one of the best interior defenders in the NFL on their roster.
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