In the end, the Jets might still win the Leonard Williams trade from last year, especially if promising rookie safety Ashtyn Davis becomes a similarly impactful player as the one he replaced, Jamal Adams. But say this much for the deal that initially looked entirely lopsided: Williams is justifying the conviction Giants general manager Dave Gettleman had in him.
Williams has been one of the most effective players on a defense that has been better than expected. And while we'd never pronounce this group on a level with the '85 Bears, it's good enough to keep the Giants competitive through nearly every game and a big reason the Giants stand a fighting chance to win a watered-down NFC East.
Williams had been a major disappointment through most of his career with the Jets after he was taken with the sixth overall pick in 2015. Billed as a dominant defensive lineman who could disrupt games with his unique skill set as a quality pass rusher and run stopper, he simply never panned out. In 71 games with the Jets, he had just 17 sacks. But he has blossomed in his first full season under Giants defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. In 10 games, he has five sacks and seven tackles for loss, putting him on a pace for career highs.
