The Jets drafted Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams with the third overall pick of the NFL draft on Thursday night..
The 6-3, 303-pound Williams had a breakout sophomore season in which he had eight sacks and 19 { tackles for loss against some of college football's top offensive linemen. He has a complete package of quickness, power and instincts and can make an impact in both the run and pass game.
Williams is expected to pair with another Williams on the Jets' defensive line _ Leonard Williams _ to improve their pass-rush and run defense.
Williams was a defensive end who converted to nose guard last year when Da'Ron Payne left for the NFL. Williams studied video of Rams All-Pro tackle Aaron Donald, gained about 20 pounds to play at around 300 and dominated in his new position, receiving the Outland Trophy, given to college football's top interior lineman.
According to Pro Football Focus, Williams tied for first in pass-rush grade (92.5) and pass-rush win percentage (20.6), and his 60 total pressures led all interior defensive linemen. His ability to play just about anywhere on the line and take double-teams off of Leonard Williams certainly makes him appealing.
"Coming from Alabama, I played a lot of different positions," Williams said. "I played all across the board from end to nose tackle. I love a great challenge ... But what sets me apart is my IQ level of football. I feel like I can break down film like a quarterback and watch different tendencies and things like that."
Williams credits Alabama coach Nick Saban for playing a big role in that.
Saban is another name to watch for the Jets. New coach Adam Gase considers him one of his biggest mentors. Gase worked as an assistant under Saban at Michigan State and LSU and probably has reached out to Saban to pick his brain on some of his Crimson Tide players, particularly Williams.
"There's a lot of stuff that I took from Alabama and took from how I was built at Alabama that I'm going to take to the NFL," Williams said. "Everything about discipline, everything Coach Saban taught me, everything that Alabama and Coach Saban instilled in me to be the player I am today.
"I'm going to take a lot of those things, like discipline, attention to detail, how I watch film, my work ethic _ just the Alabama standard in general _ and take it to the NFL."
Williams also said he learned from playing behind and watching Jonathan Allen and Payne his first two years at Alabama. Both were first-round draft picks of the Redskins.
The Jets plan to stick with a 3-4 front under Gregg Williams, but the aggressive and innovative coordinator also could mix things up and go 4-3 at times. Quinnen Williams should be able to play in both schemes, and he has the attitude and approach that could resonate with the Jets' new staff.
"I love and embrace the technique of football, the different calibers of football and going against the competition level in football," Williams said. "Every week, you might go against the best of the best. This might be the best guard you go against this week, and then the next week this might be the best tackle you go against.
"Learning how to defeat those guys, learning those guys' tendencies is what I really love about football _ and winning in general."
