Alabama stud interior lineman Quinnen Williams is visiting the New York Jets for a pre-NFL Draft meeting on Tuesday.
Nick Bosa, Josh Allen, Quinnen Williams, or somebody else entirely within the structure of a trade-down scenario—these are the New York Jets NFL Draft options at No. 3.
On Tuesday, the Alabama option visited with the team holding the third pick in the 2019 version of the bloodline that feeds all 32 professional football organizations.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Quinnen Williams visited with the Jets.
Alabama DT Quinnen Williams visiting the Jets today.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 16, 2019
“Alabama DT Quinnen Williams visiting the Jets today (Tuesday).”
Williams, 21, is considered by many as the top talent in the prospect pool. In two years at Alabama (16 games), Williams collected 10 sacks and 91 total tackles (a whopping 26 for loss).
The question surrounding Williams to the Jets comes in two parts.
- Does he fit the current 53-man depth chart?
- Will he even be there at No. 3?
Williams is a 6-foot-4, 289-pound interior lineman who plays the exact spot Leonard Williams and Henry Anderson both man down: the 3-technique.
Three lighter defensive tackles of such an ilk cannot fit together within the 3-4 base. The nose tackle usually requires a much bigger body. Within the 4-3, only two of the three players can find a way onto the field at the same time. (The very same goes for any standard subpackage look.)
Never is it a good idea to throw a 300-pound lineman on the edge in the NFL. The only reason Jets fans are accustomed to the idea has been based purely out of need. Anytime Leo, Muhammad Wilkerson or Sheldon Richardson attempted to play out in space, it was due to a screaming need for a speedy edge rusher.
Edge and offensive line remain the top needs in New York Jets land. Quinnen Williams can still be the choice at No. 3, but his attributes and personality will have to blow away the organization to make such an idea reality.
