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2. DL, Quinnen Williams
Yes, there is a second rookie, and he’d be number one on the list in a different era. However, he’s still going to be a very important player for the Jets, even as a rookie.
I labeled Quinnen Willaims as a defensive lineman because I fully expect Gregg Williams to use him as both an end and a tackle. I expect him to primarily line up at either nose tackle or 1-technique defensive tackle (shading off the outside shoulder of the center) in their 3-4 base. However, I also expect him to play some interior in 4-3 and on the outside in a 3-4 with McLendon in the middle in a 3-4.
His versatility, along with his quickness and strength, also opens things up for the much-maligned edge rushers and coverage. The pressure up the middle will do one of two things:
- Force opposing quarterbacks to get rid of the ball quicker than they want to and force turnovers or at worst incomplete passes
- Open things up for increased production on the edge by forcing the quarterback out of the pocket
